Need correct system requirements for LFS 7.10 or a more simple project

bsmith52 · 12-09-2016, 10:32 PM

I'm trying to learn linux. I have had limited success in the last few years. So I thought that the LFS project would allow me to learn the ins/outs of linux.
.
I installed Debian 8.1 onto my laptop (HP dv6 w/2630QM processor). I have tried 7.10 LFS build 5 times w/o success - I can't get past tcl8.6.6. But I am learning a lot. Just in the last build (#5), I learned:
- Need to apply patches (via patch command) once the source has been extracted from tar ball (I couldn't find this in the documentation, so I assumed that it is something most already know).
- Need to turn clock on in order to allow the tcl8.6.6 library test to work - otherwise, the timezone cannot be changed to GMT.
- others

These are basic things. Maybe I need an easier project so that can learn some basic linux before I tackle LFS?

Before I give up, I wanted to make sure that I had a good starting point. Here is the output from version-check.sh and library-check.sh:

Code:

root@silver:~# bash version-check.sh
bash, version 3.2.0(1)-release
/bin/sh -> /bin/bash
Binutils: (GNU Binutils for Debian) 2.25
bison (GNU Bison) 2.3
/usr/bin/yacc -> /usr/bin/bison.yacc
bzip2,  Version 1.0.6, 6-Sept-2010.
Coreutils:  8.23
diff (GNU diffutils) 3.3
find (GNU findutils) 4.4.2
GNU Awk 4.1.1, API: 1.1 (GNU MPFR 3.1.2-p3, GNU MP 6.1.1)
/usr/bin/awk -> /usr/bin/gawk
gcc (Debian 4.9.2-10) 4.9.2
g++ (Debian 4.9.2-10) 4.9.2
(Debian GLIBC 2.19-18+deb8u6) 2.19
grep (GNU grep) 2.20
gzip 1.6
Linux version 3.16.0-4-amd64 (debian-kernel@lists.debian.org) (gcc version 4.8.4 (Debian 4.8.4-1) ) #1 SMP Debian 3.16.36-1+deb8u2 (2016-10-19)
m4 (GNU M4) 1.4.17
GNU Make 4.0
GNU patch 2.7.5
Perl version='5.20.2';
sed (GNU sed) 4.2.2
tar (GNU tar) 1.27.1
makeinfo (GNU texinfo) 5.2
xz (XZ Utils) 5.1.0alpha
g++ compilation OK
root@silver:~# bash library-check.sh
libgmp.la: not found
libmpfr.la: not found
libmpc.la: not found
root@silver:~#

My question is 2-fold:
1. If my host system requirements need to be changed, I will change them and start again. OR
2. I would like a recommendation for a more simple project to help me learn the workings of linux.

Thanks to all who have made suggestions in the past, and to all who give suggestions on this one.

spiky0011 · 12-10-2016, 12:54 AM

Hi

Ok nothing wrong with host system, Do remeber to remove all untarred dirs as soon as you built them so when they are built a second time it,s a fresh untarred source. Dont run test in Chapter 5, it,s a waste of time,the system is not complete enough. Make sure you copy and paste the commands, use the online book not a PDF version, Dont deviate from the book. When you start again make sure The TOOLS dir is empty before you start.

Also if a make fails and you are building with multiple cores try make -j1

hazel · 12-10-2016, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith52

- Need to apply patches (via patch command) once the source has been extracted from tar ball (I couldn't find this in the documentation, so I assumed that it is something most already know).

That's not true actually. In Chapter 5.3 General Build Instructions, you are told to untar the package and cd into it before doing anything else.

Quote:

Using the tar program, extract the package to be built. In Chapter 5, ensure you are the lfs user when extracting the package.

Change to the directory created when the package was extracted.

Follow the book's instructions for building the package.

It follows that any patch operations should be carried after this.

PS: Do carry on! It's great fun and you'll feel a tremendous sense of achievement when your system boots for the first time.

bsmith52 · 12-10-2016, 01:09 PM

Hello all,

Thanks for the confirmation that I am OK on my host system requirements:

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiky0011

Hi

Ok nothing wrong with host system, Do remeber to remove all untarred dirs as soon as you built them so when they are built a second time it,s a fresh untarred source. Dont run test in Chapter 5, it,s a waste of time,the system is not complete enough. Make sure you copy and paste the commands, use the online book not a PDF version, Dont deviate from the book. When you start again make sure The TOOLS dir is empty before you start.

Also if a make fails and you are building with multiple cores try make -j1

I have also done all the things that you have recommended.

I would expect that I must have misread something, or misunderstood it. So I will try again, but read each and every instruction page carefully so that I don't make some sloppy error (like when I built a library under the root user instead of lfs).

Quote:

PS: Do carry on! It's great fun and you'll feel a tremendous sense of achievement when your system boots for the first time.

And thanks for the encouragement!

Best regards,
Bill

wilsonpj · 12-11-2016, 02:19 AM

If you're looking for a host system that you can be sure meets the minimum requirements try Paldo linux.

Just grab the latest stable live-cd and you'll be have all the latest version of the tools.

I'm currently planning to do LFS by using the Paldo live-cd as the host over the christmas / new year period.

hendrickxm · 12-11-2016, 07:45 AM

If you follow the book, you download all sources to /mnt/lfs/sources. Right after you switch to the lfs-user, you cd into /mnt/lfs/sources, extract the tarball, cd into the folder and execute commands from the book there.
For package a you do (each new line is a command):

Code:

tar xvf a.tar.*
cd a
patch -Np1 -i ../a.patch (if needed)
sed (if needed)
./configure (if needed)
make
make install
cd ../
rm -rf a

untar b, ...

bsmith52 · 12-13-2016, 04:39 PM

I seem to be doing all the right things.

When I go through it the next time I will be very careful and do it all correctly. Maybe I installed a package with root instead of lfs???

Thanks all for the encouragment!

Luridis · 12-20-2016, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith52

I seem to be doing all the right things.

When I go through it the next time I will be very careful and do it all correctly. Maybe I installed a package with root instead of lfs???

Thanks all for the encouragment!

I did that once in Chapter 5, it hosed the host's toolchain. I've used Gentoo Live and Slackware Live ISO's to build LFS without any problems. If you make such a mistake there, just reboot the machine.

bsmith52 · 12-25-2016, 03:00 PM

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I was working on a business plan for a friend.

I will look into the Gencoo Live and Slackware Live option.

I also like your philosophy about computers. I also have been "doing" computers since about 15 years before the PC. I like to (attempt) to build then rather than use them.

Thanks again for the suggestion.