SYNOPSIS

Although Lynx runs on many platforms, its UNIX build configuration needs improvement. This project arose out of tracking issues on the lynx-dev mailing list.

PLANS/PROGRESS

I worked with Jim Spath on this. As of Lynx 2.8, it is mostly complete.

This was my plan. It takes more than one step, so I applied intermediate versions into the developmental sources, both to get feedback, as well as to simplify synchronization.

Convert preprocessor symbols into form consistent with autoconf.
Generate config.h, included in all files.
Replace the top-level Makefile by generating makefile from makefile.in with an auto-configure script.
Implement configuration script tests to consolidate the variations within each hardware platform.
Combine/eliminate platform-specific directories under WWW.
Reduce the top-level makefile to a single target (i.e., lynx). (At this point, the top-level Makefile can be deleted, as well as some of the scaffolding for config.h).
Generate makefiles for subdirectories, simplifying the lynx target.
Implement configuration script tests to eliminate most UNIX #ifdef's. (Not all #ifdef's are driven from the top-level Makefile).
Add options to the configure script to support common user options (such as whether DirEd is built).

Feedback

If you have built Lynx on an obscure platform, or have other contributions, we are interested in hearing from you. Comments can be directed to the Lynx Developers List at lynx-dev@sig.net.