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## Boost.Config

### Vesa Karvonen, John Maddock Beman Dawes

Copyright © 2001 -2007 Beman Dawes, Vesa Karvonen, John Maddock

Distributed under the Boost Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)

## Configuring Boost for Your Platform

### Using the default boost configuration

Boost comes already configured for most common compilers and platforms; you should be able to use boost "as is". Since the compiler is configured separately from the standard library, the default configuration should work even if you replace the compiler's standard library with a third-party standard library (like STLport).

Using boost "as is" without trying to reconfigure is the recommended method for using boost. You can, however, run the configure script if you want to, and there are regression tests provided that allow you to test the current boost configuration with your particular compiler setup.

Boost library users can request support for additional compilers or platforms by visiting our Tracker and submitting a support request.

### The <boost/config.hpp> header

Boost library implementations access configuration macros via

    #include <boost/config.hpp>

While Boost library users are not required to include that file directly, or use those configuration macros, such use is acceptable. The configuration macros are documented as to their purpose, usage, and limitations which makes them usable by both Boost library and user code.

Boost informational or helper macros are designed for use by Boost users as well as for our own internal use. Note however, that the feature test and defect test macros were designed for internal use by Boost libraries, not user code, so they can change at any time (though no gratuitous changes are made to them). Boost library problems resulting from changes to the configuration macros are caught by the Boost regression tests, so the Boost libraries are updated to account for those changes. By contrast, Boost library user code can be adversely affected by changes to the macros without warning. The best way to keep abreast of changes to the macros used in user code is to monitor the discussions on the Boost developers list.

### Using the configure script

| Important
This configure script only sets up the Boost headers for use with a particular compiler. It has no effect on Boost.Build, or how the libraries are built.

If you know that boost is incorrectly configured for your particular setup, and you are on a UNIX like platform, then you may want to try and improve things by running the boost configure script. From a shell command prompt you will need to cd into <boost-root>`/libs/config/` and type:

> `sh ./configure`

you will see a list of the items being checked as the script works its way through the regression tests. Note that the configure script only really auto-detects your compiler if it's called g++, c++ or CC. If you are using some other compiler you will need to set one or more of the following environment variables:

Variable | Description
--- | ---
CXX | The name of the compiler, for example `c++`.
CXXFLAGS | The compiler flags to use, for example `-O2`.
LDFLAGS | The linker flags to use, for example `-L/mypath`.
LIBS | Any libraries to link in, for example `-lpthread`.

For example to run the configure script with HP aCC, you might use something like:

    export CXX="aCC"
    export CXXFLAGS="-Aa -DAportable -D__HPACC_THREAD_SAFE_RB_TREE \
       -DRWSTD_MULTI_THREAD -DRW_MULTI_THREAD -D_REENTRANT -D_THREAD_SAFE"
    export LDFLAGS="-DAportable"
    export LIBS="-lpthread"
    sh ./configure

However you run the configure script, when it finishes you will find a new header -`user.hpp`- located in the <boost-root>`/libs/config/` directory. Note that configure does not install this header into your boost include path by default. This header contains all the options generated by the configure script, plus a header-section that contains the user settable options from the default version of <boost/config/user.hpp> (located under <boost-root>`/boost/config/`). There are two ways you can use this header:

- Option 1: copy the header into <boost-root>`/boost/config/` so that it replaces the default user.hpp provided by boost. This option allows only one configure-generated setup; boost developers should avoid this option, as it incurs the danger of accidentally committing a configure-modified <boost/config/user.hpp> to the cvs repository (something you will not be thanked for!).
- Option 2: give the header a more memorable name, and place it somewhere convenient; then, define the macro `BOOST_USER_CONFIG` to point to it. For example create a new sub-directory <boost-root>`/boost/config/``user/`, and copy the header there; for example as `multithread-gcc-config.hpp`. Then, when compiling add the command line option: `-DBOOST_USER_CONFIG="<boost/config/user/multithread-gcc-config.hpp>"`, and boost will use the new configuration header. This option allows you to generate more than one configuration header, and to keep them separate from the boost source - so that updates to the source do not interfere with your configuration.

### User settable options

There are some configuration-options that represent user choices, rather than compiler defects or platform specific options. These are listed in `<boost/config/user.hpp>` and at the start of a configure-generated `user.hpp` header. You can define these on the command line, or by editing `<boost/config/user.hpp>`, they are listed in the following table:

Macro | Description
--- | ---
`BOOST_USER_CONFIG` | When defined, it should point to the name of the user configuration file to include prior to any boost configuration files. When not defined, defaults to `<boost/config/user.hpp>`.
`BOOST_COMPILER_CONFIG` | When defined, it should point to the name of the compiler configuration file to use. Defining this cuts out the compiler selection logic, and eliminates the dependency on the header containing that logic. For example if you are using gcc, then you could define BOOST_COMPILER_CONFIG to `<boost/config/compiler/gcc.hpp>`.
`BOOST_STDLIB_CONFIG` | When defined, it should point to the name of the standard library configuration file to use. Defining this cuts out the standard library selection logic, and eliminates the dependency on the header containing that logic. For example if you are using STLport, then you could define `BOOST_STDLIB_CONFIG` to `<boost/config/stdlib/stlport.hpp>`.
`BOOST_PLATFORM_CONFIG` | When defined, it should point to the name of the platform configuration file to use. Defining this cuts out the platform selection logic, and eliminates the dependency on the header containing that logic. For example if you are compiling on linux, then you could define `BOOST_PLATFORM_CONFIG` to `<boost/config/platform/linux.hpp>`.
`BOOST_NO_COMPILER_CONFIG` | When defined, no compiler configuration file is selected or included, define when the compiler is fully conformant with the standard, or where the user header (see `BOOST_USER_CONFIG`), has had any options necessary added to it, for example by an autoconf generated configure script.
`BOOST_NO_STDLIB_CONFIG` | When defined, no standard library configuration file is selected or included, define when the standard library is fully conformant with the standard, or where the user header (see `BOOST_USER_CONFIG`), has had any options necessary added to it, for example by an autoconf generated configure script.
`BOOST_NO_PLATFORM_CONFIG` | When defined, no platform configuration file is selected or included, define when the platform is fully conformant with the standard (and has no useful extra features), or where the user header (see `BOOST_USER_CONFIG`), has had any options necessary added to it, for example by an autoconf generated configure script.
`BOOST_NO_CONFIG` | Equivalent to defining all of `BOOST_NO_COMPILER_CONFIG`, `BOOST_NO_STDLIB_CONFIG` and `BOOST_NO_PLATFORM_CONFIG`.
`BOOST_STRICT_CONFIG` | The normal behavior for compiler versions that are newer than the last known version, is to assume that they have all the same defects as the last known version. By setting this define, then compiler versions that are newer than the last known version are assumed to be fully conforming with the standard. This is probably most useful for boost developers or testers, and for those who want to use boost to test beta compiler versions.
`BOOST_ASSERT_CONFIG` | When this flag is set, if the config finds anything unknown, then it will stop with a #error rather than continue. Boost regression testers should set this define, as should anyone who wants to quickly check whether boost is supported on their platform.
`BOOST_DISABLE_THREADS` | When defined, disables threading support, even if the compiler in its current translation mode supports multiple threads.
`BOOST_DISABLE_WIN32` | When defined, disables the use of Win32 specific API's, even when these are available. Also has the effect of setting `BOOST_DISABLE_THREADS` unless `BOOST_HAS_PTHREADS` is set. This option may be set automatically by the config system when it detects that the compiler is in "strict mode".
`BOOST_DISABLE_ABI_HEADERS` | Stops boost headers from including any prefix/suffix headers that normally control things like struct packing and alignment.
`BOOST_ABI_PREFIX` | A prefix header to include in place of whatever boost.config would normally select, any replacement should set up struct packing and alignment options as required.
`BOOST_ABI_SUFFIX` | A suffix header to include in place of whatever boost.config would normally select, any replacement should undo the effects of the prefix header.
`BOOST_ALL_DYN_LINK` | Forces all libraries that have separate source, to be linked as dll's rather than static libraries on Microsoft Windows (this macro is used to turn on `__declspec(dllimport)` modifiers, so that the compiler knows which symbols to look for in a dll rather than in a static library). Note that there may be some libraries that can only be statically linked (Boost.Test for example) and others which may only be dynamically linked (Boost.Threads for example), in these cases this macro has no effect.
`BOOST_`WHATEVER`_DYN_LINK` | Forces library "whatever" to be linked as a dll rather than a static library on Microsoft Windows: replace the WHATEVER part of the macro name with the name of the library that you want to dynamically link to, for example use `BOOST_DATE_TIME_DYN_LINK` or `BOOST_REGEX_DYN_LINK` etc (this macro is used to turn on `__declspec(dllimport)` modifiers, so that the compiler knows which symbols to look for in a dll rather than in a static library). Note that there may be some libraries that can only be statically linked (Boost.Test for example) and others which may only be dynamically linked (Boost.Threads for example), in these cases this macro is unsupported.
`BOOST_ALL_NO_LIB` | Tells the config system not to automatically select which libraries to link against. Normally if a compiler supports #pragma lib, then the correct library build variant will be automatically selected and linked against, simply by the act of including one of that library's headers. This macro turns that feature off.
`BOOST_`WHATEVER`_NO_LIB` | Tells the config system not to automatically select which library to link against for library "whatever", replace WHATEVER in the macro name with the name of the library; for example `BOOST_DATE_TIME_NO_LIB` or `BOOST_REGEX_NO_LIB`. Normally if a compiler supports `#pragma lib`, then the correct library build variant will be automatically selected and linked against, simply by the act of including one of that library's headers. This macro turns that feature off.
`BOOST_LIB_DIAGNOSTIC` | Causes the auto-linking code to output diagnostic messages indicating the name of the library that is selected for linking.
`BOOST_LIB_TOOLSET` | Overrides the name of the toolset part of the name of library being linked to; note if defined this must be defined to a quoted string literal, for example "abc".

### Advanced configuration usage

By setting various macros on the compiler command line or by editing <boost/config/user.hpp>, the boost configuration setup can be optimised in a variety of ways.

Boost's configuration is structured so that the user-configuration is included first (defaulting to <boost/config/user.hpp> if `BOOST_USER_CONFIG` is not defined). This sets up any user-defined policies, and gives the user-configuration a chance to influence what happens next.

Next the compiler, standard library, and platform configuration files are included. These are included via macros (`BOOST_COMPILER_CONFIG` etc, see user settable macros), and if the corresponding macro is undefined then a separate header that detects which compiler/standard library/platform is in use is included in order to set these. The config can be told to ignore these headers altogether if the corresponding `BOOST_NO_XXX` macro is set (for example `BOOST_NO_COMPILER_CONFIG` to disable including any compiler configuration file - see user settable macros).

Finally the boost configuration header, includes <boost/config/suffix.hpp>; this header contains any boiler plate configuration code - for example where one boost macro being set implies that another must be set also.

The following usage examples represent just a few of the possibilities:

#### Example 1, creating our own frozen configuration

Lets suppose that we're building boost with Visual C++ 6, and STLport 4.0. Lets suppose also that we don't intend to update our compiler or standard library any time soon. In order to avoid breaking dependencies when we update boost, we may want to "freeze" our configuration headers, so that we only have to rebuild our project if the boost code itself has changed, and not because the boost config has been updated for more recent versions of Visual C++ or STLport. We'll start by realising that the configuration files in use are: `<boost/config/compiler/visualc.hpp>` for the compiler, `<boost/config/stdlib/stlport.hpp>` for the standard library, and `<boost/config/platform/win32.hpp>` for the platform. Next we'll create our own private configuration directory: `boost/config/mysetup/`, and copy the configuration files into there. Finally, open up <boost/config/user.hpp> and edit the following defines:

    #define BOOST_COMPILER_CONFIG "boost/config/mysetup/visualc.hpp"
    #define BOOST_STDLIB_CONFIG "boost/config/mysetup/stlport.hpp"
    #define BOOST_USER_CONFIG "boost/config/mysetup/win32.hpp"

Now when you use boost, its configuration header will go straight to our "frozen" versions, and ignore the default versions, you will now be insulated from any configuration changes when you update boost. This technique is also useful if you want to modify some of the boost configuration files; for example if you are working with a beta compiler release not yet supported by boost.

#### Example 2: skipping files that you don't need

Lets suppose that you're using boost with a compiler that is fully conformant with the standard; you're not interested in the fact that older versions of your compiler may have had bugs, because you know that your current version does not need any configuration macros setting. In a case like this, you can define `BOOST_NO_COMPILER_CONFIG` either on the command line, or in <boost/config/user.hpp>, and miss out the compiler configuration header altogether (actually you miss out two headers, one which works out what the compiler is, and one that configures boost for it). This has two consequences: the first is that less code has to be c ompiled, and the second that you have removed a dependency on two boost headers.

#### Example 3: using configure script to freeze the boost configuration

If you are working on a unix-like platform then you can use the configure script to generate a "frozen" configuration based on your current compiler setup - see using the configure script for more details.

### Testing the boost configuration

The boost configuration library provides a full set of regression test programs under the <boost-root>`/boost/config/` `test/` sub-directory:

File | Description
--- | ---
`config_info.cpp` | Prints out a detailed description of your compiler/standard library/platform setup, plus your current boost configuration. The information provided by this program useful in setting up the boost configuration files. If you report that boost is incorrectly configured for your compiler/library/platform then please include the output from this program when reporting the changes required.
`config_test.cpp` | A monolithic test program that includes most of the individual test cases. This provides a quick check to see if boost is correctly configured for your compiler/library/platform.
`limits_test.cpp` | Tests your standard library's `std::numeric_limits` implementation (or its boost provided replacement if `BOOST_NO_LIMITS` is defined). This test file fails with most versions of numeric_limits, mainly due to the way that some compilers treat NAN's and infinity.
`no_*pass.cpp` | Individual compiler defect test files. Each of these should compile, if one does not then the corresponding `BOOST_NO_XXX` macro needs to be defined - see each test file for specific details.
`no_*fail.cpp` | Individual compiler defect test files. Each of these should not compile, if one does then the corresponding `BOOST_NO_XXX` macro is defined when it need not be - see each test file for specific details.
`has_*pass.cpp` | Individual feature test files. If one of these does not compile then the corresponding `BOOST_HAS_XXX` macro is defined when it should not be - see each test file for specific details.
`has_*fail.cpp` | Individual feature test files. If one of these does compile then the corresponding `BOOST_HAS_XXX` macro can be safely defined - see each test file for specific details.

Although you can run the configuration regression tests as individual test files, there are rather a lot of them, so there are a couple of shortcuts to help you out:

If you have built the boost regression test driver, then you can use this to produce a nice html formatted report of the results using the supplied test file.

Alternatively you can run the configure script like this:

> `./configure --enable-test`

in which case the script will test the current configuration rather than creating a new one from scratch.

If you are reporting the results of these tests for a new platform/library/compiler then please include a log of the full compiler output, the output from `config_info.cpp`, and the pass/fail test results.

Last revised: October 27, 2008 at 16:15:55 GMT |