Linux Laz Packages have issues.

[dbannon]

I am talking here about the binary install packages for Linux, .deb, .rpm etc.

There are a number of problems with the (very clever) tricks that Lazarus uses when it is installed in read only space, see below) on Linux.  This typically happens when a user uses a deb, rpm or pacman package to install Lazarus (on Linux) instead of the (IMHO better) model of downloading source and building in user space.

Given that some people do seem to prefer to install eg a Deb, is it time to look at a Lazarus .deb (and .rpm and .zst) package that just installs the source code. Provide a script with the source that will, when invoked by a user, build a working Lazarus in their own home directory ?

Even call that script startlazarus if you must ! The script would look to see if the user has an install in the default place, if so, load it, if not, ask user if they want to install a working Lazarus.

This approach would sole things like -

• Unable to run Clean up and Build https://forum.lazarus.freepascal.org/index.php/topic,70628.msg553639.html#msg553639
• #41587 - Lazarus cannot build itself when widgetset changed.
• #41280 - Lazarus depends on glibc version too high

And, I am quite sure lots and lots more.

Some 'work shopping' needed to get that 'startlazarus' behavior right but it would sure prevent a lot of dissatisfied users, most of whom have just given up and crossed FPC/Lazarus off their list.

Maybe consider some trickery with a post install script for the package (although against the spirit, debian packages are not ever to mess around in a user directory. But ...

Any thoughts ?

Davo

Edit : link to post about clen up and build problem

[robert rozee]

i wonder how much smaller the .deb packages would be if all the pre-built stuff (including object files, but excluding the ELF file for FPC) was removed? currently we have .deb files sized at:

fpc-laz_3.2.2-210709_amd64.deb      2025-01-19   39.3 MB
fpc-src_3.2.2-210709_amd64.deb      2025-01-19   30.6 MB    
lazarus-project_3.8.0-0_amd64.deb   2025-01-19   148.4 MB    

has anyone experimented with this?

i think that building 'locally' in either the user's directory or in /home/user/Public would be an excellent idea.


cheers,
rob   :-)