[Numpy-discussion] Building f2py extensions on AMD64 with Python 2.7 Numpy 1.5, MSVC 2008 Pro and gfortran

[Sturla Molden]

Two criticial import libraries for mingw-w64 are missing (libpython26.a
and msvcr90.a). We cannot build C extensions for Python with mingw-w64. If
you can build with disutils, your are not using mingw-w64 but another C
compiler.

There are rumors of incompatibility issues between libgfortran and the CRT
or SciPy on Windows 64. David Cournapeau might know the details.

It seems f2py on Windows 64 requires a commercial Fortran compiler (the
ones worth looking at are Absoft, Intel and PGI) and e.g. Microsoft's free
C/C++ compiler (download Windows 7 SDK for .NET 3.5 -- not any later or
earlier version). You need to have the environment variables
DISTUTILS_USE_SDK and MSSdk set to build with the free SDK compiler. f2py
will enforce the former, the latter comes from running setenv from the
SDK. The latter is important as you will need to set up the environments
for the Fortran and the C compiler in the same command window before
running f2py.

I also had to remove support for Compaq Visual Fortran from the f2py
source to  make anything build, as it crashes f2py on Windows 64 (this
does not happen on 32-bit Windows).

Building f2py extensions on Windows 64 is a bit more tricky. And I've had
no luck with gfortran so far.

Sturla



> Hi all,
>
> Are there any success stories in building f2py extensions on AMD64 with
> latest versions? Building the same extension on 32 bit works like a charm.
>
> I am having trouble finding documentation or examples, is it supposed to
> be
> working?
>
> Compiling (with distutils) works like a charm, but that does not help when
> I'm stuck figuring out link dependencies. It seems to me that the gfortran
> library depends on a mingw that is in conflict with some CRT library.
>
> I have to admit, I'm probably in way too deep waters, and should really be
> satisfied with 32 bit, but still, it would be fun to get it working.
>
> GFortran is from  MinGW-w64 project on sourceforge, version 4.5.1
> prerelease.
>
> Any pointers or other experiences?
>
> Regards,
> Åsmund Hjulstad
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