Features Planned for NetBuild 1.0
- Easier installation.
- Support for include files. NetBuild 1.0 will explicitly
support the ability of libraries to have include files that are read
by the compiler at compile time. This also implies that the
nb client will have a way to specify which libraries are
needed by a program being compiled, rather than relying exclusively on
intercepting -lxxx arguments passed to the linker.
- More platforms. Support for powerpc-aix,
powerpc-darwin, sparc-sunos, and alpha-osf1
is planned; others are also possible.
- Ability to build a library for a different platform. The
intent is to have a -target filename option for
nb that allows the user to specify a file that contains
metadata that describes the target platform. A separate option will
allow nb to write the characteristics of the current platform
to a file which can be read back later.
- Better support for different languages and compilers. In
particular, it will be possible to associate any compiler with a
constraint that influences nb's choice of libraries.
- Support for dependencies between libraries. This will
allow, for instance, ATLAS or the Goto BLAS to specify that a
compatible version of LAPACK be used if the user requests it.
- Better facilities for managing nb's cache. Currently there
are no constraints on nb's appetite for disk space - it will
cache every version of every library that it downloads. NetBuild 1.0
is intended to have a mechanism for limiting the amount of space used
and for clearing the cache.
- Better handling of shared libraries. Currently shared
libraries are linked to from nb's cache directories. These
directories have obscure names, and are mixed in with the directories
used to contain static libraries. This causes problems if the cache
directories are deleted or it is desirable to move the programs that
use those libraries to other platforms. NetBuild 1.0 will have the
ability to place dynamic libraries in separate (stable) directories
with human-meaningful names.
- Per-host shared cache. NetBuild 1.0 will have the ability
to set up a single cache that is shared by all users on a host.
More libraries will also be added. However libraries do not have to
be added concurrently with new releases of the client code.
Last Change: 14 May 2004