Compiling Error - Help!

1

I’m attempting to build the latest Abiword source code in the Haiku environment, and I got an error when I was compiling in terminal. I typed, ./configure and was presented with this:

configure: error: in `/boot/apps/abiword-2.8.6':
configure: error: The pkg-config script could not be found or is too old.  Make sure it
is in your PATH or set the PKG_CONFIG environment variable to the full
path to pkg-config.

Alternatively, you may set the environment variables DEPS_CFLAGS
and DEPS_LIBS to avoid the need to call pkg-config.
See the pkg-config man page for more details.

To get pkg-config, see .
See `config.log' for more details.
/boot/apps/abiword-2.8.6>

What is going on? How can I fix this? What is pkg-config?

Also, for those who are more tech-savy, am I compiling source properly with these commands:
./configure
make
make install

Thanks. I’m new to the who ‘building from source’ so go easy on me! Thanks everyone!

2

Probably you need to install pkgconfig using haikuporter first: http://ports.haiku-files.org

3

As Diver says, you need to install pkgconfig. AFAIK Haiku includes part of pkgconfig, but not the dev version that you will need. This is why it didn’t warn you that you didn’t have this dependency.

4

Installing pkg-config won’t help. AFAIK there is no current port of Abiword to Haiku. You can’t just compile arbitrary software on a different OS than what it’s written for. If you’re new to compiling software then start with something that will actually compile. :wink:

5

Good advice! I’m still new to compiling source code/building applications… I know python and I’m starting to learn java at uni ATM, so hopefully this will all make sense! Do you know of any good documentation on compiling source (in haiku environment)??

Thanks!

6

This article is a little old but still has some good info:
http://www.osnews.com/story/22903/Writing_Applications_for_Haiku

Same with this one:
http://www.osnews.com/story/24945/A_Programmer_s_Introduction_to_the_Haiku_OS

But this is the best:
http://darkwyrm.beemulated.net/lessons.htm

7

You might want to learn C++ first, either directly or via C. Java was my first programming language, when I had to learn C I found “The GNU C Programming Tutorial” very helpful. It’s available for free, e. g. at http://crasseux.com/books/ctutorial/

If you’re interested in the “story” behind ./configure && make && make install, read something about (GNU) make and autotools. All the sources you need are on the intertubes, but I don’t know anything particular.