Re: cross compilation x86_64 <-> i386

2007/3/4, Michel Salim <[email protected]>:
>
> 2007/2/28, Paulo Cavalcanti <[email protected]>:
> > On 2/27/07, Philippe A. <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > > > This may be regarded as slightly off-topic, but I do not know a
> > > > > better place where to ask the question. I have installed FC6
> x86_64
> > > > > on my new system and I am having problems compiling packages in 32
> > > > > bits and 64 bits. Freetype is one package I need to compile for


> I would use "mock" for rebuilding rpms for other fedora
> > versions/architectures.


This page lists useful mock tricks:
>
> http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Extras/MockTricks
>
> --autocache basically lets you cut the download time, but if you're a
> heavy user you might want to run a local mirror of the Fedora
> repository you need.
>

I have successfully built 32 bits packages with mock. I combined use of
autocache and noclean options to cut setup time before compilation to nearly
0.

The other aspect of the problem I haven't investigated yet is : how to
compile 32 bit software for which there is no srpm. One easy answer is to
build the spec file, but I don't generally want to take time to do that when
I'm in a rush to use a software. I have yet to try to compile within mock
root.

Another problem is this (from
MockTricks<http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Extras/MockTricks>
):

The autocaches are automatically deleted and recreated every 15 days to
> prevent them from being too stale.
>

So that means I cannot leave anything under mock's root. Another easy answer
is to keep a secondary pc to build software. Obviously there is many luxury
I could afford, but I prefer well rounded solutions by far.

Mock is not nearly as convenient as "./configure && make". There ought to be
a better solution. Why wouldn't cross compilation be a better solution?
Shouldn't it be possible to cross compile since all needed 32 bit libraries
are present?

I have been on x86_64 for 2 weeks and I have to say I find it a bit of a
hassle. I haven't ruled out the idea to reinstall a 32 bit distro. I don't
want to give up just yet!