Re: [Boost-users] Getting started with Boost: what did you need to know?

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-01-30 17:37:42

Michael Shapiro <mshapiro_at_[hidden]> writes:

> Dear Steve -
>
> Glad to hear you are doing this.  

Ahem.  It's Dave. :)

> After many hours, I am still trying to get 
> started with Boost.  I have been trying to use Boost serialization.   I am 
> working on a linux box.  I have followed download and installation 
> directions, rather carefully, I think.  After trying unsuccessfully to 
> compile and link my own "Hello, Serialization" program, I downloaded and 
> tried the serialization demo.  I have still not been able to link this.  I 
> get copious errors complaining of undefined references.  A typical one is
>
>  undefined reference to 
> `boost::archive::basic_text_iprimitive<std::basic_istream<char, 
> std::char_traits<char> > >::basic_text_iprimitive(std::basic_istream<char, 
> std::char_traits<char> >&, bool)'
>
> I have found several people asking how to fix this problem on the Boost users' 
> group, but have not been able to find instructions anywhere that would solve 
> it.
>
> As things now stand, I can't tell whether 
>
> a) My build is incorrect.  
> b) I am failing to set some environment variable.
> c) I am failing to link some library or correctly set some compiler flag.

I'm pretty sure it's c: you're failing to link the Boost serialization
library.  But you should make a post about that whose subject starts
with "[serialization]" so that the maintainer can help you with that
problem.

> Okay, I have whined long enough.  What would be helpful would be
> a) Complete instructions for building Boost.  (I worked from the getting 
> started page.  

In what way is that page incomplete?

> It was only after much hacking around that I found another 
> page telling me I needed compiler_status and  process_jam_log.

You did?  Which page, please?  You certainly don't need either one of
those in order to build Boost.

> b) Instructions on how to tell is your build is complete and
> correct.

Hmm, good one.  When bjam completes it will tell you whether there
were errors.  If there were no errors, you can assume it was complete
and correct.  Or did you have something else in mind?

> c) An example of how to compile and link the demo, either from the
> command line or via a make file.

That, again, sounds like something specific to the serialization
library.  In other words, the serialization library author ought to
improve his docs.  So, add that to your message with "[serialization]"
in the subject line.

> Hope this is helpful,

Once you answer the questions I'm posing in response, I think it will
be.  Thanks for your time,

Dave

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com