Configure script purpose

[Gauss]

What's the main purpose of the configure file? I know it detects system dependencies and allows for configuration options but it's a 7000+ lines of code script. I would also suggest the idea of using cmake for the whole build/test cycle. I have been using cmake for a few months and it's a really powerful tool for multiple systems developement. It's way superior to the old autogen+configure+makefile combo. So i would like to know from Nick or other devs how feasible would it be switching to cmake.

[Pete Mack]

You are not alone in hating config/autoconf. If you port to cmake, it'll get adopted.

[Gauss]

I will try to get angband compiled with cmake when i finish exams. It doesn't look that complicated but i expect it to turn a nightmare when trying to build in windows and mac osx. I was trying also to port angband to python using derakon's code as basis but i left that aside months ago. Too much things to do and little spare time haha.

[Pete Mack]

Windows and OSX each have makefile independent of configure, so it isn't necessary to get it all done at once.

[Flambard]

What's the main purpose of the configure file?

This is a bit disingenuous, it appears you know precisely, what "configure" is, you just don't like it.

The actual script is NOT 7000+ lines long, it's more like 600. https://github.com/angband/angband/b...r/configure.ac

The generated script works on everything that has a shell (not even bash, just any shell), thus it's completely dependency-free, which is the purpose.

Yes, autoconf syntax is a bit terse, but is CMakeLists.txt really better? And yeah, autoconf has some problems, but so does CMake.

Just my 2 cents, before jumping into next build system, maybe we should examine if that's even necessary?

[Pete Mack]

@Flambard: also, vi is totally better than emacs

[Nick]

@Flambard: also, vi is totally better than emacs

You take that back.

[Cuboideb]

Or... you q! that

[Pete Mack]

Sorry Nick--
I just had to swing at a hanging curve ball, right over the middle of the plate.


More to the point, I wholeheartedly endorse the opinion in this thread. Autoconf works...except when it doesn't--at which poiny you are screwed .

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4071880/what-are-the-differences-between-autotools-cmake-and-scons

You take that back.

[Gauss]

This is a bit disingenuous, it appears you know precisely, what "configure" is, you just don't like it.

The actual script is NOT 7000+ lines long, it's more like 600. https://github.com/angband/angband/b...r/configure.ac

The generated script works on everything that has a shell (not even bash, just any shell), thus it's completely dependency-free, which is the purpose.

Yes, autoconf syntax is a bit terse, but is CMakeLists.txt really better? And yeah, autoconf has some problems, but so does CMake.

Just my 2 cents, before jumping into next build system, maybe we should examine if that's even necessary?

If you have a look at github, many FOSS projects have jumped to cmake, even NASA uses it for some of their projects. I didn't say autoconf is bad, it's just that i think that building with cmake is way more professional and clean. It would improve the testing and developement IMO. It was just a suggestion though, also the magic of open source is that if something doesn't convince you, then just change it, so that's why i'm porting it to cmake. I will release it when i manage to have a clean testing build so everyone can try it and have an opinion about it. Also the integration with external libraries like SDL for example is better with cmake.

[Adriankhl]

This is a bit disingenuous, it appears you know precisely, what "configure" is, you just don't like it.

The actual script is NOT 7000+ lines long, it's more like 600. https://github.com/angband/angband/b...r/configure.ac

The generated script works on everything that has a shell (not even bash, just any shell), thus it's completely dependency-free, which is the purpose.

Yes, autoconf syntax is a bit terse, but is CMakeLists.txt really better? And yeah, autoconf has some problems, but so does CMake.

Just my 2 cents, before jumping into next build system, maybe we should examine if that's even necessary?

Depends on how much do you love Windows, cmake integrates much better with different compilation settings on Windows. For example, how can autotools manage clang-cl + vcpkg + windows SDK?

[fph]

Depends on how much do you love Windows

If you put it this way, I'm not sure it's an argument in your favor.

[Adriankhl]

If you put it this way, I'm not sure it's an argument in your favor.

Well, like it or not, the dominance of Windows desktop is not going away. I used to hate Windows. However, I am starting to realize the importance of big companies behind open source software, and Microsoft is getting better these days. If we cannot ignore the presence of Windows, and there are existing open source, cross-platform solutions, why not love Windows (and ourselves ) more to make use of those tools.

[aNACHRONiST]

Many legacy platforms such as Amiga do not have cmake tools available. However, we can use configure, makefile, etc. Therefore, I would not like to see cmake adopted. Angband is, at heart, a text-based terminal game. It would be a shame to see it unavailable on classic systems.