Re: What can I do to help? (conclusions)

[Andreas Rottmann]

Rob Browning <address@hidden> writes:

> Andreas Rottmann <address@hidden> writes:
> 
> > I don't think so, nevertheless the resulting binary will be linked
> > against libstdc++. However, when I get guile working again (see my
> > other mail, subject "CVS Build problems"), I will suplly a patch and
> > can run some benchmarks (there are some, don't we?), if you'd like.
> 
> What would that do to our "minimal install size"?  We use guile in
> situations where we need to keep things fairly small (aside from
> guile), and if I'm not misreading, this would make guile depend (on a
> debian system at least) on libstdc++5 which itself is 700K, and
> sub-depends on: gcc-3.2-base, libc6 (>= 2.2.5-13), libgcc1 (>=
> 1:3.2-0pre4).
> 
Yes, that's a clear disadvantage. However, in what environments does
that requirement exist? If you have a configure option, you can decide
both ways. There could even be a debian package 'guile' (with a C
linked executable) and a 'guile-c++' one, linked with g++, replacing
'guile' (or the other way round with a c++-linked guile as
default). Then C++ plugins could depend on guile-c++. However, I get
too much into debian pkg management now, I guess *waves to Rob*.

> The benefit may outweigh the cost, but I'd like to make sure we have a
> clear idea of the costs and benefits.
> 
Sure.

> What would the alternative be for people using C++ if we *don't* link
> with g++?  Is it still possible for them to write modules?  Would they
> have to write an "interface stub file" or something using extern "C"
> or similar?
> 
It is not possible to load this plugins with some C++ constructs
(e.g. exceptions, don't know the full list), since guile
crashes. However, if you embed guile in your C++ program, there is no
problem, since the executable is linked with g++.

Regards, Andy
-- 
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