[vlc-devel] VLC and Windows

[Rafaël Carré]

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Bill Dolson a écrit :
>> It's not the point.
>> We're not talking about the users, or about stopping Windows support.
>> It's all about compilation.
> 
> My point is that there are Windows users who want/need to compile.  I 
> feel that if you do not support Windows compilation you are really not 
> supporting Windows.  And I am sure this us by far your largest user base 
> (a sad fact indeed).

We can't support that as nobody in the team can do that.

>> MSYS is a UNIX emulation, as well as cygwin, and both seem to cause
>> problems.
>> So I propose to change the layer, by emulating the hardware machine, and
>> install a real UNIX system to *compile*
> 
> So long as it is stable, stable, and stable.  I have no experience with 
> the specific emulator you mentioned.  I'm afraid of adding another layer 
> of complexity.  I almost would rather just use my Linux box and cross 
> compile like the developers.  Considering that for when I merge with the 
> trunk.  In the mean time it is just a PITA to constantly go back and 
> forth between boxes.

qemu is a well tested emulator, I agree this a big change, that's why
I'm trying to document it a bit.

>> That's the problem, noone wants to maintain cygwin/msys environments.
>> While the patches you make at your home are not integrated in the trunk,
>> loads of windows users, who "are just key-stabbing morons who are too
>> stupid to handle a Linux install" are failing to build VLC, and ask for
>> an help they don't get.
> 
> There was little if any patching required to get an Msys build, mostly 
> finding errors or omissions on the wiki.

I'm afraid the list of required packages is maybe not updated.

>> Come on let's help them, by providing a CLEAN and WELL TESTED as well as
>> MAINTAINED build environment, UNIX.
> 
> If it works and is stable I'm all for it.  Has anyone actually gone 
> through the exercise of trying it and doing a build on the emulator?  Is 
> it "should work" or "does work"?  I also have some concerns about 
> emulator compilation speed.  If someone does some spade work I'll 
> test/use it.  For sure Msys is obsolete and Cygwin is what it is.

My build just finished, and I've the list of the required packages to
install.
The proof:
http://people.videolan.org/~funman/build_vlc_for_windows_in_qemu.png

I made 2/3 fix to the contribs while building it, and here are the
remaining problems:

* as you can see on the screenshot 128MB of memory seem to not be enough
to make the .7z package, but that is trivial.
* I rebuilt entirely the contribs, I didn't test with jb's pre-built
contrib packages.
* I did not run time mesures
* I should make some screenshots to help installing debian etch.
* I should write clear instructions on the process, etc..

Help is welcome.

I'll put on my home page what i've done already and let you know this
evening, but there is absolutely no formatting, nor english sentences.

>> I tried once both environments and built successfully vlc with both.
>> So I don't know how they are maintained today, and how difficult it is
>> to build VLC in it.
>>
>> Maybe you can put it clear on the wiki that MSYS is dead ?
> 
> I think that would be a mistake until there is a stable, documented 
> alternative.  Adding some caveats to the wiki might be appropriate, as 
> in "don't try this for fun...  unless you are an experienced 
> developer...  don't ask us for help...  something new is coming..."

I fully agree with you.

> Thanks,
> Bill
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- --
Rafaël Carré
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