Like dmoc, I'd like to give you an excerptional overview of my first experiences with PB/Linux.
After receiving the download link from Fred last weekend, I finally found time to test it. Instead of installing on an existing instal- lation, I decided to go for a fresh Debian installation in a virtual machine, using VMWare.
Beside being careful about messing with production systems (even the test environments end up productive too soon, lol - lazy me) I also wanted to get a bit more experience in the Debian distribution.
So as first step I downloaded a minimal boot image from http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/,
using Eduard Bloch's netinst image, burnt it on a CDR and booted.
The Debian setup is very logical and usually I chose the setup defaults. I only had to pick the NIC kernel module by hand, but then, using DHCP, I already was connected to the internet, being able to continue the setup (IMO better than downloading the full set of 7 ISO images) and to install just what I needed.
Debian also allows the usage of predefined packages, containing apps according to categories. I didn't choose too much, as I wanted the system to stay as clean as possible, but the "C/C++ programmers" and "Linux servers" packages seemed to be a good choice.
The stuff was downloaded automatically and very quickly I had Debian finally (but not bloated) installed.
Now for the interesting part: installing PureBasic
Untaring it created a new directory, with sub-directories and the most important files: INSTALL & README.
The steps provided by Fred in the INSTALL were easy to follow (was just copying a few files into some directories) and running pbcompiler showed the same result as mentioned in the INSTALL. Promising.
...looking at the README:
Ok, I need GCC. No problem, as it was installed with the C/C++ package.
Next was SDL. I had SDL download as rpm and tried to install it. But that was a stupid idea. Debian prefers another pack manager and getting alone RPM to work is much more work than simply using Debian's favored apt-get.
apt-get is really great. It connects to a Debian distribution server, retrieves the packages available, checks for dependencies, downloads required packages, installs and as final step - if necessary - allows to configure the apps easily.
So a simple
Code: Select all
apt-get install SDL1.2-dev
Now I changed to the PB examples directory, trying pbcompiler menu.pb
Well, I admit, I forgot GTK1.2. But the tons of GTK related error messages were as hint obvious enough, hehe.
So another
Code: Select all
apt-get GTK1.2-dev
Looked better now. It compiled without error but at the end it complained about not being able to connect to the XServer.
No wonder, not installed yet.
Code: Select all
apt-get install xserver-xfree86 xserver-common xfonts-base gnome-core gnome-panel gnome-control-center sawfish-gnome gnome-session gnome-terminal
Code: Select all
apt-get install kde
Now I was really curious, opened a console, typed pbcompiler menu.pb AND THERE IT WAS...
The first PB program I have seen running on a Linux box!
Like dmoc, I tested all examples. Results were good and I just mention where something looks "strange"...
CDAudio.pb ... GtK Warnings in the console after closing it. It ran fine though.
Image.pb ... GdK-Error "BadValue", but you shortly saw the window flashing. BTW, I did not misspell GtK... that's what it was on the screen.
Linux_API.pb ... gcc error: Purebasic.o missing.
Module.pb ... Line 11: InitModule() is not a function. Ok, Midas, I assume.
Requester.pb ... works, except the PathRequester (is in the TODO as I saw)
Sound.pb ... "DirectX7 missing or no Soundcard available" - is the soundcard in this case, but, hey, who on a Linux box wants to see a MS related error??
So, as you see, it looks promising. The whole procedure of completely installing a distribution not too familiar to me and then applying PureBasic and what it needs took less than 2 hours.
The examples except the mentioned Image.pb and Linux_API.pb ran smoothly, just a few warning here and there, but nothing that countered the functionality.
As soon as I got time, I want to take some snippets from the forums and try them out. Then I'll provide you with another report unless you slay me for it.
Max.