[clasp-devel] First Contribution: Proposed README_FIRST.txt

[Christian Schafmeister]

Andrew,

This sort of thing is bound to happen because Clasp is under active development.  You probably had problems building Clasp because the build system was (and may still be) broken.  I’m working on it.

I’m going to put out a new release in the next couple of weeks that will incorporate a whole new compiler and simplify the build process by eliminating externals-clasp.

Cheers,

.Chris.


On Jun 25, 2015, at 3:27 PM, Andrew Robin <andrew.t.robin at gmail.com> wrote:

> License: Public Domain
> 
> YMMV
> 
> As of 6/25/2015, I could not get Clasp to compile, even once.  See #clasp IRC log with entries tagged "clasp-build:".  Ignore ones with arobin.  I started on 6/20/2015.  For me, 6 days is enough for this incarnation of Clasp.
> 
> Currently, compiling Clasp from source is not for the faint of heart.  Some have done it, others like me have failed.  You have to go to an IRC chat room #clasp (admittedly, a nice, pleasant one ;) to do this for all practical purposes.  Don't bug Chris unless you are serious because he is busy.  I learned today the source code might change underneath you between builds--the make system seems to pull working repositories behind your back each time you run "make".  I definitely am not being critical--I have bootstrapped some scary systems, like a prototype VM on a custom PowerPC board--and it isn't easy.
> 
> I thought I could do it because:
> o I have 25 years experience with Lisp and C++ and every language imaginable, in many application areas
> o I have distributed and contributed to a number of free projects, including building some iffy prototypes
> o I have worked on an Ada -> custom VM (human) safety critical compiler written from scratch--we weren't allowed to HAVE a make system for reproducibility
> o I have a strong need for the technology Chris is developing
> o I am very independent--I don't really even have a hand to hold, being a bird and all
> o I have a bird-brain and a degree in CS
> 
> Where I went wrong:
> o Believed something I read on the internet
> o I don't possess knowledge of some of the more advanced concepts in Lisp, such as atoms, cons cells, and "groveling".
> o I fell for the line of "try this test version".  It is (semi) stable for me or nothing from now on.
> o I have no knowledge of bjam.  To be fair (to me) I have built boost (why does a template programming library need to be built?) from source.
> o I have always been more of a humorist than a software developer--I was born in Missouri and have read all of Mark Twain's works, more than once.  Most people don't think I'm funny.
> o I don't work well with others
> o I have a bird-brain and a degree in CS
> 
> I would resign, but I don't work here, contrary to what my current boss thinks.  I guess I can lurk here on the mailing list--unless I'm banned.
> 
> Peace, and good luck. :-|
> --Andy (o>
> 

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