Re: [Visualpython-users] Aqua port - stumped by autoconf

[Bruce S. <Bru...@nc...>]

Isn't it the case that to use distutils with modules written in C or C++ 
(such as Visual) there must be a compiler present on the machine? That's 
why we can't use distutils on Windows for example, and for that matter 
isn't it the case that on a Mac there isn't a compiler present if you 
don't install it?

As to why VPython is so difficult to install (especially on the Mac), 
the problems are basically due to not having a component that creates 
native windows and handles native events, so we've had to get by with 
using the Unix/Linux component, which throws even the naive user into 
the scary environments of X11 and fink. I personally have observed that 
the installers on the 10.4 DVD for X11 or Xtools (not sure which it was) 
don't necessarily actually work the first time, and just running the 
installer fixes a problem! And then there's the problem that going from 
10.3 to 10.4 invalidates everything, which is an amazing feature of an 
operating system.

Bottom line, we're all grateful that you're attempting to break through 
to a native-mode version for the Mac, which ought to be vastly easier to 
install.

Bruce Sherwood

Dethe Elza wrote:

>
>
> What is wrong with using distutils[1], the standard method for  
> building Python extensions?  The new Setuptools[2] package makes it  
> even easier, and supports EasyInstall[3] and Python Eggs[4].
>
> [1] http://docs.python.org/lib/module-distutils.html
> [2] http://peak.telecommunity.com/DevCenter/setuptools
> [3] http://peak.telecommunity.com/DevCenter/EasyInstall
> [4] http://peak.telecommunity.com/DevCenter/PythonEggs
>
> I install a lot of programs, and there are three four common methods  
> I encounter:  Untar the app and drag it to /Applications (standard  
> Mac install), untar the installer and run it (for Mac apps which  
> require more than just the Application bundle), type "./ 
> configure;make;sudo make install" at the command line (apps ported  
> from Linux or BSD), and "python setup.py install" (nearly all python  
> extensions and libraries).  I understand that VPython is doing a lot,  
> but why it is so much more complicated than installing PyGame, for  
> instance, is beyond me.
>