Re: Fw: Build an external library from source and statically link it into a support module

[Han Lee via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov>]

Hi David,

To achieve this, you can write specific rules directly into your project's Makefile to invoke the external build process.

I have personally taken a different approach (but I have my own similar project Makefile environment) by treating these as shared libraries, similar to a standard Linux environment. While this may be more involved than what you are looking for, you can review my implementation here:

https://github.com/jeonghanlee/EPICS-env-distribution/tree/1.2.0/1.2.0/debian-13/7.0.10

This script also provides an overview of the process:

https://github.com/jeonghanlee/EPICS-env-distribution/blob/1.2.0/install.bash

Best,

Han

On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 11:34 AM David Bracey via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov> wrote:

Adding the list back - didnt reply to all

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From: David Bracey <dbracey at fnal.gov>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2026 1:33 PM
To: Han Lee <jeonglee at lbl.gov>
Subject: Re: Build an external library from source and statically link it into a support module

 

I am not trying to just incorporate 3rd-party libraries, I am trying to BUILD 3rd-party libraries from source, using that project's Makefile.

I do not see anything along those lines in the projects you cite below.

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From: Han Lee <jeonglee at lbl.gov>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2026 1:08 PM
To: David Bracey <dbracey at fnal.gov>
Cc: tech-talk at aps.anl.gov <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov>
Subject: Re: Build an external library from source and statically link it into a support module

 

[EXTERNAL] – This message is from an external sender

Hi David,

The EPICS community has several examples of how to incorporate 3rd-party libraries into support modules. Two particularly good examples to reference for this implementation are:

- opcua

- measComp

While there is usually a way to achieve this, the specific implementation can vary. I hope these examples provide a helpful starting point for your project.

Best,

Han

On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 10:58 AM David Bracey via Tech-talk <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov> wrote:

This is mostly to get the cross-arch compilation and have the right binaries end up in the right build subdirs.

I could construct an EPICS build system Makefile for the project (it's not complex) but I'd prefer not to.

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From: David Bracey
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2026 12:48 PM
To: tech-talk at aps.anl.gov <tech-talk at aps.anl.gov>
Subject: Build an external library from source and statically link it into a support module

 

I'm creating a support module, and I would like to incorporate a 3rd-party library, which would be built from source (a github project) and linked into the support module.

Is there support in the build system for this?  

I want the EPICS build system to call the external project's Makefile, and then consume the library that was produced.

Dave Bracey - Fermilab

--

Jeong Han Lee, Dr.rer.nat.

Staff Scientist and Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1699-2660

--

Jeong Han Lee, Dr.rer.nat.

Staff Scientist and Engineer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1699-2660