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dtrg c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
bin be7ec5cdd0 Added the appropriate #! magic at the beginning of shell scripts. (Some modern shells don't like scripts to be without it.) 18 years ago
distr 84aabce8f7 Removed some bashish; added comment support; removed the make 17 years ago
doc 9aacafbc5a Modified to no longer build LLgen, as it is now distributed separately. 18 years ago
emtest 04a887eee9 Replaced references to /usr/tmp with references to /tmp. 19 years ago
etc dd3c45ecf2 Added the appropriate #! magic at the beginning of shell scripts. (Some modern shells don't like scripts to be without it.) 18 years ago
examples 58ca908043 Added example programs. 17 years ago
fast bf2357624d use stdarg when compiling with ANSI C compiler 29 years ago
fcc efa0bfa27d use stdarg when compiling with ANSI C compiler 29 years ago
first c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
h c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
include c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
lang c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
lib 2c98eae913 Done a major overhaul of the way target include files are installed and 17 years ago
mach c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
man f26dd7bb01 Header --> Id 30 years ago
modules c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
plat c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
util c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
.distr c5e7c60c76 Updated .distr files for the new release. 17 years ago
Action 44f229d88a Modified to no longer build LLgen, as it is now distributed seperately. 18 years ago
Copyright 65ffc7f057 new copyright notice in repository 19 years ago
DistrAction d21fd37c8d corrected for new TakeAction 36 years ago
Makefile f5b641009b Initial revision 40 years ago
NEW cb09878a1f Added some new readmes at the top level. 19 years ago
README fbe65f8a9a Added comment about the use of 'cc' rather than 'gcc'. 18 years ago
TODO cb09878a1f Added some new readmes at the top level. 19 years ago
TakeAction 3ee71dd844 Added the appropriate #! magic at the beginning of shell scripts. (Some modern shells don't like scripts to be without it.) 18 years ago
config.pm b9d98bd0ff First version in CVS. 18 years ago
pm 96db4093b3 Updated to version 0.1.1 of Prime Mover. 17 years ago
pmfile 2c98eae913 Done a major overhaul of the way target include files are installed and 17 years ago

README

# $Source$
# $State$

Installing the ACK on a modern platform
=======================================

This document provides some very quick and dirty instructions for installing
the ACK on a modern platform. It is not intended as a substitute for the
real instructions, which can be found in doc/install.pr.

Let me repeat myself:

THE FULL INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN doc/install.pr.

The ACK is a very large and complex package and has received minimal
maintenance for the best part of a decade. During that time, the Unix
world has moved on, and many APIs have changed. It compiles cleanly on
my, dtrg's, test machine, which is a Debian Ubuntu Linux system. Your
mileage may vary.

All disclaimers now done, now on to the good stuff:

Building the ACK
----------------

I'm assuming you're using Linux here, because that's what I use. If you
don't use Linux, please let me know if you have any trouble and I'll update
the instructions.

1. Prerequisites

The ACK wants to be built with a C compiler called cc. From what I've seen
so far of the build system, this can be changed, but not easily.

Most platforms have their compiler set up so that 'cc' invokes it, whatever
it is; however, some don't. So far the only one I've met that doesn't do
this is Solaris with gcc installed, but without the Sun native compiler.

If this is the case, the simplest thing to do is to place a symlink to gcc
(or your favourite C compiler) in your path somewhere. For example:

ln -s /usr/bin/gcc ~/bin/cc

2. Configure the build.

To do this, run the first/first script. You will be asked several
questions.

* What is the root of the ACK source tree?

This is the directory that you have unpacked the distribution into.
For example, /home/dg/src/Ack-5.6.

* What is the root of the configuration tree?

This is the directory that the build process will use for temporary
files. You'll only need this during the compilation process; it can
be removed afterwards.
For example, /tmp/ack-conf

* What is the root of the ACK binaries?

This is the ACK's installation path; where the binaries will live.
This needs to be writable during the build process --- if you want
to install in /usr/local, you either have to make /usr/local
writable or compile as root. Sorry!

* What is your system type?

Linux isn't on the list. Choose ANY.

* Is this the system you are running on?

Yes.

* Are you satisfied?

Yes.

* What default machine do you wish to compile for?

The ACK wants to know what architecture to target if you don't manually
specify an architecture. Unfortunately, it can't generate runnable
binaries for Linux or any other modern system (except possible Solaris
on Sparc). I'd recommend you choose em44. This will produce portable
binaries using the ACK's intermediate format, which you can run using
the int interpreter.

* What kind of Unix are you running?

Linux is a mixture, but I pick SYS_5 and it works.

* Do you wish to limit the installation?

No. If you pick Yes, the script will ask detailed questions about
exactly what you want to build. Modern systems are fast enough that
we may as well build everything.

* Which system call library do you wish to use on the VAX?

I don't have a VAX; the only person I know who has one uses it to vacuum
his carpets. I pick libsysV_2 with no ill effects.

If the configuration script is happy, it will generate a script called
INSTALL.

3. Do the compilation.

The configuration script will recommend a command line. Execute this. On
modern systems, the compilation doesn't take long.

Check the output of the configuration script for "Failed" lines. On my
system there are two:

$ grep Failed INSTALL.out
Failed for Intel 8080 download programs, see dl/Out
Failed for Intel 8080 support

You can ignore these. They aren't important.

4. Use the ACK.

Ensure that the ACK's binary directory is on your path; this is /bin in
the directory you specified during the configuration process. In my
example, this is /usr/local/bin. The /man subdirectory should go on your
manpath.

To test your path, do: ack

This should return silently.

To test your manpath, do: man ack

This will produce the documentation for the main compiler driver.

If this works, you can remove the conf tree (/tmp/ack-conf in my example).

Gotchas
-------

There are some things you should be aware of.

* The ACK's archiver tool is called 'arch'. This conflicts on Linux platforms
with a utility that displays the current architecture. If your compilation
occasionally fails obscurely and displays something like 'i686', you are
running afoul of this. As a workaround, rearrange your path so the ACK's
bin directory comes first --- but do be aware that some Linux system
tools may stop working.

* By default, the ack tool will compile K&R C. Practically all C source these
days is ANSI C --- use the -ansi switch to enable ANSI mode. No, the ACK is
not C99 compatible.

* Not all combinations of optimisation and architectures work. This is
perfectly normal, but the combinations are not well documented. Everything
supports -O.

Disclaimer
----------

The ACK is mature, well-tested software, but the environment in which it was
developed for and tested under is rather different from that available on
today's machines. There will probably be little in the way of logical bugs,
but there may be many compilation and API bugs.

If you wish to use the ACK, *please* join the mailing list. We are interested
in any reports of success and particularly, failure. If it does fail for you,
we would love to know why, in as much detail as possible. Bug fixes are even
more welcome.

The ACK is licensed under a BSD-like license. Please see the 'Copyright' file
for the full text.

You can find the mailing list on the project's web site:

http://tack.sourceforge.net/

Please enjoy.

David Given (dtrg on Sourceforge)
dg@cowlark.com
2005-06-24, 23:53

# Revision history
# $Log$
# Revision 2.3 2006-07-18 17:21:34 dtrg
# Added comment about the use of 'cc' rather than 'gcc'.
#
# Revision 2.2 2005/06/24 23:20:41 dtrg
# Added some new readmes at the top level.