OSLib installation problem

[Chris Terran]

In message <962a37b74b.Tony at mk-net.demon.co.uk>
          Tony van der Hoff <tony at mk-net.demon.co.uk> wrote:

> On 19 Jan 2003, in message <d0ed10b74b.Chris at ntlworld.com>,
> Chris Terran <chris.terranova at ntlworld.com> wrote:
> 
> > Could someone please point me to a (simple, preferably) guide to
> > installing OSLib? I'm having some difficulties, I'm afraid.
> > 
> > I'm a fairly experienced programmer but new to C. I'm using the latest
> > Norcroft compiler on an Iyonix, and am quite happily writing, compiling
> > and running programs using the standard libraries -- no problems there,
> > and I think I'm settling in to the language. Enough to realise that I
> > need to use something like OSLib, anyway! But despite following the
> > instructions carefully I can't get any programs to 'see' OSLib.
> > 
> 
> What do you mean when you say you can't get any programs to 'see' OSLib? Some
> concrete examples would be useful.

OK, sorry -- see below.

> May I ask where you got your OSLib from? The distribution archives contain at
> the very top level a file named "OSLib_readme", which contain all you need to
> know about installing and using OSLib. Are those the instructions you're
> referrirng to?

I got it from the official site, and those are the instructions I
meant, yes.

> If you've done all of that, and you've still got problems,
> I've failed in my attempts to make it clear - let me know if that's the case.

No, I'm sure it's my fault. There's a vast amount to learn when starting
C, and I've probably missed something blindingly obvious.

> Are you running OSLib.SetVars before compiling?

Yes.

> Are you including -IOSLib: on your C command line?

I'm not using the command line, just the front end. Is that wrong?

I've tried appending -IOSLib: to the "Include" writeable icon, and the
"Command line" menu entry.

> Are you specifying #include "oslib/xxxx.h" in your source files?

Yes -- specifically, #include "oslib/osfile.h"

> If
> you believe you're doing all that, please give some examples (i.e. not
> your interpretation) of the sort of error reports you're getting. 

I was trying to use the osfile_set_type function. I included
"oslib/osfile.h", and appended -IOSLib: to the command line menu entry
(can this be automated?). Compilation proceeded, but the linker gives
the error:

(Error) Undefined symbol(s).
    osfile_set_type, referred to from o.main.
Errors in link, no output generated.

> OTOH, if someone is distributing OSLib without all the files, then *they* are
> wasting our collective time, and need killing.

Well, that's a bit drastic ... and I'm sure the fault is all mine for
being dim ...

> > Apologies for such a basic question, and I'm sure the answer is very
> > simple. I've searched extensively for help (no group FAQ, AFAICS) on
> > Google and elsewhere, and have only found other people asking similar
> > questions ... but no answers!
> > 
> No problem asking a basic question, but have you *really* tried to help
> yourself? I just typed OSLib into Google, and my site was the first hit.
> Admittedly that's the redirector, but it provides the link to the SourceForge
> site, which was the fourth hit from Google.
> There *is* a FAQ at the reference site. It doesn't cover installation issues,
> because that's never before been a question; the subject is adequately
> covered in the readme.

Yes, I have tried, honest! I did read the website FAQ, but I meant that
a request for the mailing list group FAQ failed. I've obtained and read
the last 200 messages from the group (18 months' worth), searched the
csa.* groups on Google Groups, and done general web searches (searches
for "install oslib").

> Who are these other people who are asking similar questions - I'd like to
> educate them!
> 
> Hope this helps.

It does, and many thanks for taking the time to answer. Perhaps I should
grit my teeth and start on Makefiles....

Best, Chris

-- 
*** Chris & Lee's Photodesk tutorials, tips and resources:
>>> http://www.photodesk.iconbar.com  @@@ photodesk at iconbar.com
NEW: 32-bit EXIFinfo coming soon