using Swarm with MkLinux

[Ted Belding]

The main issue with installing and running Swarm on MkLinux 
(http://www.mklinux.apple.com/) is getting a version of gcc that 
correctly compiles Objective C on Power Macs.  The version of gcc 2.7.x 
that comes with MkLinux DR 2.1 does not compile Objective C correctly, 
although it claims to.  The how-to guide I sent out a long time ago to 
this list describes how to patch that version of gcc so that it does 
work with Swarm.

Since then, the gcc 2.7.x that is distributed for MkLinux has been 
updated to compile Objective C correctly on the Power Mac, so you 
don't need to follow my earlier instructions.  (All versions of gcc 
2.8.x and egcs for MkLinux should also work). You can either install 
DR 2.1 and the updates for it (I believe the latest update is DR2.1 
update 6), or you can wait until the upcoming DR3.0 release.  By doing 
either of these, you will get a version of gcc that works with Swarm.  
(You can probably run Swarm under an earlier update than update 6, as long
as it includes and is compatible with a version of gcc that compiles 
Objective C).  All of the other software that is required for Swarm should 
install fine, and some of it is available as RPMs (e.g., Tcl/Tk).

Upgrading from DR2.1 to DR2.1 update 6 requires a bit of downloading 
and installing packages, but if this makes you uncomfortable, you 
might want to wait until DR3.0 comes out.  Of course if that does make 
you uncomfortable you might not want to use MkLinux right now, 
especially since it is still under development.  Swarm *should* work 
fine, though, once you have a gcc that works and have installed all of the 
required packages. If you have trouble after taking these steps, you can
send email to the MkLinux support email lists (see the MkLinux web 
site for this and other info).  I belive that the version of gdb 4.16 
that is distributed with MkLinux doesn't understand Objective C, but 
there are patches available for gdb 4.16 that may work under MkLinux as 
well.  The upcoming gdb 4.17 will understand Objective C, I believe.

I'm afraid I can't provide any other information about Swarm on 
MkLinux, since I haven't used Swarm on that platform for about a year now.
Again, it should work fine, though.  Hope that helps.
-Ted

-- 
Ted Belding                               address@hidden
University of Michigan Program for the Study of Complex Systems
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~streak/


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