SQLite, thepopular embedded database, is transitioning from GNU Autotools to Autosetup for its upcoming release.While the team assures most users will experience minimal impact, they acknowledge some build-level breakage is unavoidable.
This change stems from the inherent differences betweenAutotools and Autosetup, tools designed to configure and customize builds for specific environments based on developer requirements. They generate makefiles, which guide the build process using the make utility.
While GNU Autotools is widely used in open-source projects, the SQLite team found several advantages in Autosetup, developed by embedded Linux consultant Steve Bennett. Autosetup, driven by the TCL scripting language, offers a moreuser-friendly experience compared to GNU Autoconf’s reliance on the GNU M4 macro processor. This makes maintaining Autosetup build files easier. Additionally, Autosetup’s files are contained within the SQLite source code tree, unlike GNU Autotools, which is an external dependency.
The shift to Autosetup aligns with the use of this tool by Fossil SCM, the software configuration manager created by SQLite developer Dr. D Richard Hipp. Stephan Beal, a Fossil contributor, notes in an official article about the transition that for those who simply run ‘./configure && make’, the changes will be minimal.
However, Autotools and Autoconf are not fully compatible. For instance, SQLite’s –enable-tempstore option becomes –with-tempstore in Autosetup, as –enable carries a specific meaning.
The primary concern lies not with developersbuilding SQLite as a standalone tool, but with automated build processes embedding SQLite into other projects. This might require reconfiguration in some cases.
Another issue is Autosetup’s limited platform support compared to Autoconf, potentially affecting certain environments.
Despite these potential challenges, the SQLite team emphasizes the benefits of Autosetup, particularly its user-friendliness and streamlined integration. The transition is expected to enhance the overall build process for SQLite in the long run.
References:
- Official SQLite Article on Autosetup Transition
- Autosetup Documentation
- Fossil SCM
- GNU Autotools
- Autoconf
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