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

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.

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.