Making a cross platform program

[justnewbie]

Hi Friends,
Is there any "how to" about making cross platform programs?
Specifically, I made the Linux version of my program, but I need to make its Windows 64-bit version as well.
It is totally new for me, so a detailed, step-by-step instruction would be nice. Thanks.

[MarkMLl]

The most relevant question is whether you want to do it using cross-compilation or on a different machine.

Assuming that you're running Lazarus, in the second case I'd suggest using a File -> Clean Directory followed by a Project -> Publish Project, unless you've used any OS-specific stuff things should just work.

MarkMLl

[justnewbie]

I would be a cross-compilation.

[Zoran]

I would be a cross-compilation.

The simplest thing to do is -- install Lazarus on Windows and compile your project there.

It is much simpler than cross-compiling and, with cross-compiling, you will certainly have to test the application on Windows.

So, even with cross-compiling, you still need a working Windows system.

In short -- you need a Windows, at least for testing, so better avoid cross-compiling.

If you still want to cross-compile, I have no experience with it, but probably the easiest way is with fpcup-deluxe, see here.

[MarkMLl]

The simplest thing to do is -- install Lazarus on Windows and compile your project there.

Or possibly use one of these newfangled "Linux in Windows" hacks.

"Embrace, extend, extinguish"...

MarkMLl

[Fred vS]

Hello.

You may also use the "wine" Windows emulator for linux.

Code: Bash  [Select][+][-]

1. sudo apt-get install wine

and then install fpc-lazarus for Windows via wine.

So first develop your application with fpc-lazarus for Linux and then use the same source but compile it using wine+fpc7lazarus for windows.

You way test also your Windows application with wine on Linux.

I do it for all my cross platform projects but, like Zoran noted, for the release it is better to test it on a real Windows machine to check if all is ok.

[justnewbie]

I would be a cross-compilation.

The simplest thing to do is -- install Lazarus on Windows and compile your project there.

It is much simpler than cross-compiling and, with cross-compiling, you will certainly have to test the application on Windows.

So, even with cross-compiling, you still need a working Windows system.

In short -- you need a Windows, at least for testing, so better avoid cross-compiling.

If you still want to cross-compile, I have no experience with it, but probably the easiest way is with fpcup-deluxe, see here.

To be honest, I've already tried to do it (using VirtualBox >> Linux host and Windows7 guest). I got an "access violation" error at compiling.

[justnewbie]

Hello.

You may also use the "wine" Windows emulator for linux.

Code: Bash  [Select][+][-]

1. sudo apt-get install wine

and then install fpc-lazarus for Windows via wine.

So first develop your application with fpc-lazarus for Linux and then use the same source but compile it using wine+fpc7lazarus for windows.

You way test also your Windows application with wine on Linux.

I do it for all my cross platform projects but, like Zoran noted, for the release it is better to test it on a real Windows machine to check if all is ok.

As I can remember, I tried this a long time ago with another project, but without success. Maybe I will give it a go again. Thank you for the tip.

[winni]

Hi!

Read the Multi Platform Guide:

https://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/Multiplatform_Programming_Guide

Winni

[avra]

Read this if you decide to go cross compilation path:
https://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/Cross_compiling#From_Linux_to_Windows

[justnewbie]

Thank you, guys! I will study them.