[Geany] Generalisation of build system

[Andy Elvey]

Lex Trotman wrote:
> Hi,
>
> We use several different build systems and need the build system 
> interface to be generalised somewhat.  We use Jam, Waf, Scons make and 
> others because we combine code from lots of sources.  Although we can 
> change the commands there are still some hard coded bits that cause 
> problems, eg some builders don't have all targets so make all menu 
> action confuses them and one product uses a pre-processor before the 
> C++ compiler and it  doesn't like the -o option so we can't use the 
> compile menu item.
>
> I am willing to have a hack at the changes (provided time and ability 
> permit) but it seemed sensible to check what is in progress or others 
> are doing.
>
> The suggestions are:
>
> 1. make all the compile/link/build commands project specific, or from 
> global settings if not defined for project
> 2. make all the commands entirely configurable, remove any magically 
> included '-o' options for example
> 3. replace the build menu 'make all' and 'make target' with one 'build 
> ->' with a submenu listing the available targets configurable from a 
> dialog
> 4. have a set of global settings which make it work pretty much the 
> same as it does now for make so as to not break existing stuff
> 5. (optional time permitting) have a set of templates which provide 
> common setups and which can be selected at project creation
>
> Any thoughts/suggestions before we start would be welcome.
>
> Cheers
> Lex
  Hi Lex -
Although I'm very much a novice in the build area, I wonder if the 
"CMake" app has been considered?  This is used by the KDE project (among 
others).  It is apparently very powerful and flexible, but I can't 
really confirm that (having not used it myself). 
Just thought I'd mention it......   ;)  
 - Andy