[R-sig-Debian] build dependencies was Re: [R] problem with rgl package

[Johannes Ranke]

Hi,

* Dirk Eddelbuettel <edd at debian.org> [090507 18:00]:
> 
> Howdy,
> 
> On 7 May 2009 at 11:28, G. Jay Kerns wrote:
> | Dear R-SIG-Debian,

...

> | Is there any way to include some form of this information on the
> | README page of the Ubuntu section on CRAN? Here's how it reads right
> | now, under "ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF R PACKAGES":
> | 
> | "Installing R packages not provided with Ubuntu first requires tools
> | to compile the packages from source. These tools are installed via the
> | R development package with
> | 
> |    sudo apt-get install r-base-dev"
> | 
> | 
> | 
> | The above is, of course, true, but not the whole story.  In
> | particular, for a supported R package like rgl there are additional
> | tools needed to build it, which are not in r-base-dev, but which can
> | be obtained with "sudo apt-get build-dep r-cran-rgl".  Perhaps there
> | are other (supported) packages that require tools which aren't in
> | r-base-dev.

In the Debian README, it currently says:

You only need r-base-dev if you want to compile R packages yourself or other
software depending on R (see section below on administration and maintenance).

So I am thinking to add the following:

"Be aware that you may also have to install additional build dependencies
(typically -dev packages containing headers). The list r-sig-debian is a
good place to ask if you run into problems. If you are using these
backports from CRAN, and just want to update a package r-cran-foo that
is part of Debian, you can get the build dependencies by 

    apt-get build-dep r-cran-foo"

How does that sound? Improvements welcome.

Johannes

> Good point!  Patches welcome. Vincent and Michael read this list too so maybe
> that is something we can take off-list for some constructive work?
> 
> | Under  "ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF R PACKAGES", how about something like:
> | 
> | "Installing R packages not provided with Ubuntu first requires tools
> | to compile the packages from source. *For the majority of R packages
> | these* tools may be installed via the R development package with
> | 
> |    sudo apt-get install r-base-dev
> | 
> | Please note, however, that some packages may require tools not
> | contained in r-base-dev, and the user must find and install these on
> | an individual basis.  But in the case that R package 'foo' is
> | supported (with an Ubuntu package r-cran-foo), then the following will
> | identify and install such dependencies:
> | 
> |   sudo apt-get build-dep r-cran-foo"
> 
> Not bad, but if 'apt-get install r-cran-foo' works, why do we need to explain
> how to re-compile it ?
>  
> | I am sure that there are other people who could say what I am trying
> | to say in a much better and more accurate way.  I would invite and
> | welcome improvements.  I could imagine a similar statement or
> | reference in SUPPORTED PACKAGES.
> | 
> | 
> | Some may rightly argue that those experienced with Ubuntu will already
> | know about "sudo apt-get build-dep" and it does not need to be posted
> | on CRAN Ubuntu README.  But I was introduced to Ubuntu by way of R,
> | and not the other way around.  For people like me, this would be
> | great.
> 
> Generally speaking, there are too many little tips and tricks so there is
> always scope to do better, learn more, teach more, ...
>  
> | >
> | > We do _a lot of work_ for R on Debian/Ubuntu. Use it, you even have a
> | > money-back guarantee. And ...
> | 
> | 
> | Yes... I myself appreciate very much all of the hard work by Dirk,
> | Doug, Vincent, and Michael, all.  Both off-list administration and
> | on-list troubleshooting.  Thank you.
> 
> Always a pleasure, especially when we see that it actually helps other
> people.
> 
> Dirk
> 
> | 
> | 
> | Best,
> | Jay
> | 
> | 
> | 
> | 
> | 
> | 
> | 
> | ***************************************************
> | G. Jay Kerns, Ph.D.
> | Associate Professor
> | Department of Mathematics & Statistics
> | Youngstown State University
> | Youngstown, OH 44555-0002 USA
> | Office: 1035 Cushwa Hall
> | Phone: (330) 941-3310 Office (voice mail)
> | -3302 Department
> | -3170 FAX
> | E-mail: gkerns at ysu.edu
> | http://www.cc.ysu.edu/~gjkerns/
> 
> -- 
> Three out of two people have difficulties with fractions.
> 
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-- 
Dr. Johannes Ranke                 jranke at uni-bremen.de