Re: Building Octave without xcode

[Ben Abbott]

On Dec 25, 2010, at 5:26 PM, Michael D. Godfrey wrote:

> On 12/25/10 10:17 AM, Jordi Gutiérrez Hermoso wrote:
>> Is it impossible to build Octave without Xcode? Ben just pushed a
>> patch (11410:2df163be223e) for README.MacOS which suggests installing
>> Xcode in order to build Octave. This breaks with the GNU coding
>> standards:
>> 
>>      http://www.gnu.org/prep/standards/html_node/References.html
>> 
> The strict interpretation of this does not allow building Octave under
> MAC OSX at all. Essentially all parts on the current Apple software are
> under some form of Apple license including all of the BSD code licensed
> from UCB,  (See the /usr/include/*.h files for the Apple License statement.)
> The X11 code provide by Apple only contains the Open Group license, but
> it is distributed with the Apple code, as is Xcode.  Both are included on the
> install disk which you purchase from Apple.  This disk is clearly identified
> as Apple proprietary.
> 
> Initially, Apple excluded X11 from its software distributions.  It was
> speculated that they did this not just because they liked Quartz, but due to
> concerns about including free software (under some form of free license)
> with their proprietary software.  Some semblance of common sense and
> business requirements has caused them to decide that it is alright to
> distribute free software as part of their proprietary software.  I do not
> see how others should feel that they cannot legally use such software.
> If any legal issue arises, it is Apple's problem since they are the 
> distributor.
> 
> So, I would say that it is OK to use Apple gcc, X11, Xcode, or anything else
> that comes on the Apple install disk.  It might be a good idea to make a
> statement somewhere to the effect that the Mac OS distribution of Octave
> contains Apple proprietary software and thus is only to be used on Mac OS
> licensed systems.  Does this seem objectionable from the standpoint of
> the free software terms?  If so, there can be no official Mac distribution.
> 
> I do believe that Apple is in a somewhat difficult position of both strongly
> defending "their" proprietary software and including with it software which
> either explicitly or otherwise is under forms of free software license.  But,
> that is their problem.
> 
> Michael

Michael,

As you've been successful building Octave without Fink/MacPorts, would you be 
interested in adding to README.MacOS?

There is a parallel discussion regarding this on the bug tracker.

        https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/index.php?31906

Ben