From: Curt Hibbs <ml.chibbs@...>
Date: 2006-12-12T06:39:58+09:00
Subject: Re: Win32 environment for ruby extension work

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On 12/11/06, Ross Bamford <rosco@roscopeco.remove.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've recently been attempting to look at Win32 compatibility on the
> various C extensions I work on, but in my ignorance I'm getting a bit
> confused (Microsoft's site seems designed to promote that :( ). I could
> use a little help from someone who knows about these things.
>
> To cut a (very) long story short, here's what I need to know:
>
> 1) I now gather that the VC 2005 I downloaded isn't going to cut it if I
> want to target the one-click installer. I can compile, but not use,
> extensions with it. I gather I need VC 6? Please tell me I'm wrong about
> this, but isn't that going to cost actual money? Is there a free download
> for it that I've missed?


The compiler situation on Windows is currently a mess. Read this to help
understand the issues:

   http://www.halostatue.ca/2006/09/21/ruby-on-windows-a-note-for-microsoft/

You should be able to use VC 6 (if you can find a copy, its no longer
available from MS) or MinGW. Either one should produce extensions compatible
wit the one-click installer.

2) Should I be targeting the one-click installer? It seems like it's the
> most commonly used on Windows, and for testing it's probably irrelevant,
> but I'd like to do precompiled binaries for win32 as well - should they
> target the one-click, or something else?


Yes, you should target the one-click installer.

3) Am I going to run into similar problems with multiple runtime
> environments when using e.g. libxml-ruby, given that it's dependencies may
> be compiled with a different compiler. Should I be expecting any gotchas
> when (if) I get to that stage?


If they are compiled with VC 6 or MinGW you'll be ok. If the depdencies are
compiled with other compilers you you could be ok or you could have
problems... it just depends.

Curt

I'm sure there are great resources out there, but I have a bit of
> information overload and I'm struggling to sort the wheat from the chaff
> on this one. Any help or links to helpful resources would be very much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Ross Bamford - rosco@roscopeco.remove.co.uk
>
>

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