Hi Ken,
I think in the past, I asked for something similar.
Two questions:
1) if a user wants a compiler beyond the "golden list"? will you remove
the ports alltogether or will it just mean for him more compilation
because it builds another libgcc?
2) can we start with a minimal list and then "tweak" things if we
discover some software not building and add e.g. one or two versions later?
Ken Cunningham wrote:
The list of uniquely useful gcc compilers might be as short as:
gcc-4.8, gcc5, gcc7, gcc10, and gcc-14.
All those already build on the older systems, and are at least a manageable
list of versions to maintain.
Could we ask for thoughts and possible get consensus that the list of gcc
compilers supported by MacPorts be shortened to a list such as that?
Making this list is I think a trade-off between a newer compiler
breaking old code and capability of also compiling newer software.
My favorite is usually:
gcc4.8 (very good for old stuff... very stable everywhere and never
found the need to use gcc 4.2 instad of gcc 4.8 except to stick with
apple versions)
gcc 6.5 : best "classic" compiler on 10.5/10.6, reliable, definitely to
be included in list
gcc 8 : first "modern" compiler
and then... gcc12 or 13 just because I used them long time and gcc14 is
new, undecdided about which to choose
I think gcc5 can be dropped.. either 4.8 or 6.5 should do
gcc7 has been for a year the newest compiler on 10.5 for me, but can it
be replaced by 6.5 or gcc8?
gcc10: could we try do drop it and have latest?
gcc14 - I have used it very little on MacOS - but I do on linux and it
is very finky...
