[SciPy-dev] scipy / f2py / debian

[Pearu]

On Sun, 25 Aug 2002, Steve M. Robbins wrote:

> On Sun, Aug 25, 2002 at 06:30:58AM -0500, Pearu wrote:
> 
> > Yes, you are right. f2py and scipy_distutils are developed very closely, 
> > so usually there is no problem if either scipy or f2py installs 
> > scipy_distutils, just make sure that you have the latest scipy_distutils 
> > from scipy CVS. I also use symlink from scipy to f2py2e directory while 
> > working with the codes. However, if you really want to stop f2py to 
> > re-installing scipy_distutils, then you must edit f2py2e/setup.py.
> 
> This is fine when working with both sources from CVS, but how about
> the binary packages of f2py and scipy?  
> 
> One of the other hats I wear is "Debian developer", and I'm interested
> in getting a package of scipy in Debian.  [And f2py, since scpiy
> requires it to build.]  Joe Reinhardt has made some experimental
> packages, but they have not yet been uploaded to Debian proper.
> 
> It is possible to have the f2py and scipy packages both install
> scipy_distutils, but this is a nuisance.  I would be worried that at
> some point the packages' copies get out of sync, and that installing
> "f2py" would cause "scipy" to stop working, or vice-versa.
> 
> I can think of two ways to uncouple the two packages.  One is to
> have f2py install/use the distutils under a different name, e.g.
> f2py_distutils.  

That way makes little sense since then scipy_distutils will be hardly used 
in  the scipy building process and the required patch to f2py would be
non-trivial.

> The other way is to split out scipy_distutils into
> a seperately-installable package that would be a prerequisite for
> both scipy and f2py.

That makes more sense. Both scipy and f2py setup.py scripts can be easily 
patched to not install scipy_distutils and scipy_distutils can be 
installed as a separate package.

> I realise that either solution causes work for you, and that binary
> packaging isn't your primary concern at the moment.  However, I thought
> I'd test the waters to see whether decoupling the packages is at all
> feasible.  Perhaps there are other options that I'm overlooking.

Note that the binary package of scipy does not use scipy_distutils. So, 
once scipy is built, it does not need scipy_distutils anymore.
Therefore installing "f2py" with either older or newer scipy_distutils 
cannot affect "scipy" work. However, the other way is possible, 
especially when one installs scipy with older scipy_distutils.

Actually, now I don't see why scipy should install scipy_distutils. 
I would suggest removing scipy_distutils from the  separate_packages list 
in scipy/setup.py to avoid possible conflicts.

There might be also a third way. Both scipy and f2py setup.py scripts 
can compare the versions of scipy_distutils they carry and what is 
installed already. If the installed scipy_distutils is older, only then
either of packages re-install scipy_distutils. 
Hmm, again, if one already has f2py installed but scipy installs the 
newer scipy_distutils then there is a possibility that f2py installation 
will be broken. But not vice versa.
So, my conclusion is that scipy should not install scipy_distutils.

Other thoughts?

Pearu