[PATCH] Build libxf86config with -fPIC.

[Gaetan Nadon]

On Tue, 2010-11-23 at 15:51 +1000, Peter Hutterer wrote:

> > >> This is an important point. We are waisting time trying to guess
> what
> > >> this patch is for.
> > >>
> > > Oh, I know what it's for, it's needed for pyxf86config.  I just
> don't
> > > think anyone is prepared to commit to a stable ABI for
> libxf86config, so
> > > installing it as a shared library may not be the best plan.
> > 
> > IMO, just because you decided to make the library shared doesn't
> mean
> > you've suddenly agreed to any more ABI stability than before.
> 
> the big difference is compile-time vs. run-time ABI stability.
> 
> which especially in the case of a distribution can make a difference
> because
> once you compile a lib from package A into package B, what happens to
> A
> doesn't matter until you recompile B too. with a shared library,
> updating A
> can break B.
> 
> (that of course doesn't mean it's the right thing to do, it's just how
> it
> is)
> 

I lost track of the details, but my general feeling is that it is a
development issue.
Developers should decide if shared lib or not with the desired level of
compatibility.
If that discussion does not happen, the issue cannot be solved with a
hack in the build.

So far no one has claimed adding fPic is the correct way of creating a
shared lib or
that it is a necessary workaround to a situation libtool cannot handle
and that it will
work on all supported platforms.

Gaetan
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