[R] cross-compiling for windows with linux

[Uwe Ligges]

Laurent Gautier wrote:

> Dear List,
> 
> I am (still) trying to use the makefile advertised in R-News
> (the Makefile is a wrapper around other tools).
> When I try to build a package using the (fairly recent)
> 'install.R' mecanism, the output leaves me not so confident
> about the the usability of the pack built for Windows
> (I am currently unable to verify it):
> 
> ---------- Making package splicegear ------------
>   installing inst files
>   adding build stamp to DESCRIPTION
>   installing R files
>   save image
> /home/laurent/these/R/RCrossBuild/WinR/R-1.7.1/src/gnuwin32/install-save.sh: line 23: /home/laurent/these/R/RCrossBuild/WinR/R-1.7.1/bin/Rterm: No such file or directory
> /home/laurent/these/R/RCrossBuild/WinR/R-1.7.1/src/gnuwin32/install-save.sh: line 34:  5846 Broken pipe             cat ${lib}/${pkg}/R/${pkg}
> Execution of package source for splicegear failed
> mv: cannot stat `.RData': No such file or directory
> 
> Changing 'Rterm' by 'Rtem.exe' in 'install-save.sh' do not appear to fix
> the problem (the error message changes to 'cannot execute').
> 
> Any pointer would be appreciated.

Most readers of R-help won't know that script well enough in order to 
provide an answer... What about asking the authors of that article directly?

Anyway, you don't need that script (it might be very helpful given it 
works, though). Just read the section "Cross-building packages on Linux" 
in .../src/gnwuwin32/readme.packages on how to cross-compile packages.
If the package uses compiled code, you will have to set up an 
environment according to the Section "Cross-building on ix86 Linux" in 
.../src/gnwuwin32/install as well.
I've never tried it, since compiling on Windows for Windows works.

Uwe Ligges