[gst-devel] Re: Native Win32 build of GStreamer 0.8.1

[David Schleef]

On Thu, May 06, 2004 at 04:58:45PM +0200, Steve Lhomme wrote:
> Maybe not. Because I was told that depending on the version of GLib you 
> use, some generated files might differ.

Indeed.  I see no problem in specifying the exact glib version to
use.

> BTW, the Win32 builds for GLib/GTK are already done with (and only) the 
> dev tools from Microsoft (MSVC6 in their case). And they have some 
> .win32 files when needed.

I don't think that shipping generated files is a good long-term
solution.  The problem basically comes down to one of maintenence.
The Windows/Visual Studio build will always be second-class in the
GStreamer world, and will more likely than not be accidentally
buggy every few releases.  This isn't said to question your
technical abilities -- exactly the opposite -- build systems
require a lot of maintenence, and I'd personally prefer that you
spend time on more interesting projects.

However, I do think that it's a good idea in the short term.  I'm
not entirely comfortable with recommending MSYS to a large number
of developers, seeing as how I can't even get bison to work myself.
Also, I haven't heard of anyone using MSYS with Visual C++, although
it should theoretically work.  So, if the following things worked
well with MSYS:

  - building projects using ./configure and VC++, including building
    DLLs correctly
  - bison
  - installation of dependent packages was easier (like having a
    package repository like Fink)
  - resolution of some of the speed issues
  - there was a Getting Started document

then I'd strongly recommend MSYS over a Visual Studio build.

By the way, I haven't applied the rest of the patch, since I wanted
to compile it under MSYS first.  My Windows box is currently
being used for testing a new Domain Controller.  I expected to
have it back by now.  Anyway, there should be no problem applying
the patch and fixing any problems later.



dave...