[Mono-devel-list] GAC and third party libraries: post Beta planning.

[Michal Moskal]

On Thu, May 06, 2004 at 09:27:47AM -0400, Todd Berman wrote:
> On Thu, 2004-06-05 at 13:43 +0200, Michal Moskal wrote:
> > On Wed, May 05, 2004 at 09:10:56PM -0400, Todd Berman wrote:
> > > I dont see how the /probe replaces the need for /package.
> > > 
> > > You still have one of the issues that caused the need for /package in
> > > the first place (Different versions of the same assembly). It seems that
> > > it wouldn't replace it at all, but compliment it.
> > 
> > Oh, that's simple:
> > 
> > 	/usr/lib/pkgconfig/gtk+-2.0.pc
> > 	/usr/lib/pkgconfig/gtk+.pc
> > 
> > The same way you can have gtk-sharp and gtk-sharp-2 or whatever.
> 
> Hah, not exactly.
> 
> The problem is where do the compiler reference-able assemblies go.
> 
> Right now it is determined by /package gtk-sharp which installs the
> symlinks into $prefix/lib/mono/gtk-sharp/ and will eventually be used
> with the -pkg: stuff.

I believe -pkg: will use no symlinks, but only pkg-config. And in
gtk-sharp.pc will be: 

  libraries: /r:/usr/lib/mono/gac/gtk-sharp/1.0.0.0__35e10195dab3c99f/gtk-sharp.dll

No need for any symlink.

> The problem with removing that /package argument is where do the
> gtk-sharp-2.0 assemblies go, the ones with the same filenames as the
> gtk-sharp assemblies. Note, this is a compile time issue, *NOT* a
> runtime issue as the gac solves this.

They have different version and go to GAC. And path in the GAC goes to
gtk-sharp-2.pc. Plain and simple.

> This is why i said that I didnt see the /probe argument
> replacing /package, but augmenting it.
> > 
> > > We still have a (imo) huge issue with regards to prefixes. 
> > 
> > Why should you care about prefixes? You just need to know how to call
> > pkg-config -- and it should simply be in the PATH. Then you can simply
> > do:
> > 
> > 	mcs -pkg:gtk-sharp foo.cs
> > 
> > and that's all.
> 
> Here you have the same confusion as above, but backward. Now the issue
> is at runtime.
> 
> For example, lets say I have mono installed into /usr and i install
> gtk-sharp into /usr/local.
> 
> the mono gac is /usr/lib/mono/gac/ and gtk-sharp gac's
> into /usr/local/lib/mono/gac/. Thus gtk-sharp isnt found at runtime *or*
> compile time, and everything is broken.

I see no good reason to have two GAC locations. Even when you install
some other gtk-sharp files in /usr/local the dll's should IMHO go to
/usr/lib/mono/gac.

-- 
: Michal Moskal :: http://www.kernel.pl/~malekith :: GCS !tv h e>+++ b++
: When in doubt, use brute force. -- Ken Thompson :: UL++++$ C++ E--- a?