[Python-ideas] CPython needs to revamp/replace it's build system && Cross-compiling Python sucks

[Devin Jeanpierre]

On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 10:40 AM, Ryan Gonzalez <rymg19 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I've been trying to work on Issue 23496. And want to tear my hair out. I've
> noticed a few problems with Python's current build system:
>
> - There is no separation of the host C compiler and the target C compiler.
> When you give configure a C compiler for cross-compiling, make will happily
> try to build Parser/pgen with the cross-compiler. And try to run the
> generated executable. And fail. I know you can use `make touch` to get
> around this, but it still sucks.

I just want to echo this. I had really horrible problems trying to get
Python working with emscripten a year ago, because of this and other
problems. (Gave up.)  It turned out emscripten was a bigger cause for
complaint, but, still.

-- Devin

> - For some reason, autoconf decided to re-configure everything about 2
> minutes into make. But it didn't pass any of the flags I needed, resulting
> in everything failing.
>
> - I do not like having to use this for configuring:
>
>    PYTHON_FOR_BUILD=`realpath ../cpython/python`
> CC=arm-linux-androideabi-clang CXX=arm-linux-androideabi-clang++ ./configure
> --host=arm-linux-androideabi --build=x86_64 --disable-ipv6
> ac_cv_file__dev_ptmx=no ac_cv_file__dev_ptc=no
> ac_cv_have_long_long_format=yes
>
> At the same time, I'm not quite sure how many people would want to sift
> through the 5000 lines in configure.ac or the 1650 lines in Makefile.pre.in.
>
> I just get the feeling that, whenever I build Python, there are too many
> holes/hacks to get around make/autoconf things.
>
> --
> Ryan
> If I were in a 10-story building glass-sided building and forced to write
> either Go or autconf scripts, I’d jump out a window.
> http://kirbyfan64.github.io/
>
>
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