DESTool on Linux

libFAUDES/DESTool is developed in a Linux environment, so one would think, deployment for that platform is particularly easy. The contrary is the case ...

Step by Step

Until there is an automated installation script, DESTool must be manually unpacked. This is perhaps a bit old fashioned, but not difficult.

Missing Libraries

If you get errors on missing libraries or other obscure messages before even the DESTool welcome screen shows ... stay calm, presumably there is nothing big missing.

We have verified DESTool do operate on old installations like SUSE 10.0 32bit (dated 2005) up to Fedora 14 64bit (dated 2010). Technically, DESTool is dynamically linked against the so called LSB library stubs in their 32bit version. While this type of linkage is meant to increase binary compatibility, on some distributions manual installation is required. To list present LSB modules, try:

> lsb_release

Examples on how to install LSB packages ...

... on Ubuntu 10.04, both 32-bit and 64-bit distributions.

> aptitude install lsb
> aptitude install lsb-desktop

... on Fedora 14, 32-bit distribution

> yum install redhat-lsb
> yum install redhat-lsb-graphics

... on Fedora 14, 64-bit distribution

> yum install redhat-lsb
> yum install redhat-lsb-graphics
> yum install redhat-lsb.i686
> yum install redhat-lsb-graphics.i686

If you still experience errors for missing libraries or unresolved symbols, please let us know.

Oldfashioned GUI Style - Broken Online Help

DESTool uses Qt 4.4 as a GUI framework. To operate on older Linux installations that do not provide Qt 4.4, DESTool ships with a customized copy of Qt 4.4 (linked against LSB library stubs, see above). If, on the other hand, one installs DESTool on a more recent Linux installation, it may be preferable that DESTool uses the installation's version of Qt. This will have a more consistent look & feel and, presumably, be more stable than the one that comes with DESTool.

To test which version of Qt came with your Linux distribution, try

> qmake -v

If your systems Qt version is 4.5 or above, it is recommended to delete the QT 4.4.2 from the DESTool package. This can be done as follows.

> cd ~/here_is_destool
> rm ./faudes_destool_x_xx/lib/libQt*
> rm ./faudes_destool_x_xx/lib/q*.bin
> rm ./faudes_destool_x_xx/lib/plugins/imageformats/*
> rm ./faudes_destool_x_xx/lib/plugins/sqldrivers/*
> rm ./faudes_destool_x_xx/lib/assistant.lib
> rm ./faudes_destool_x_xx/bin/assistant

The DESTool online help is managed by Qt's assistant. This is really a great tool, however, we have observed hick-ups somehow related to cached states/files. You may decide to delete the assistant's cache ... if you find it. Try

> mv ~/.assistant ~/assistant_delete_later
> mv ~/.local/share/data/Trolltech/Assistant ~/assistant_delete_later

Note: when removing the assistant's cache you will lose assistant bookmarks and local copies of any help-files.

Open-Source

Most of the above deployment issues come from binary distribution, so why not make DESTool open source?

Honestly, the source is currently just not in a shape that allows for effective collaborative development. There is the intention to release the sources under GPL terms, once it makes sense to share. Crucial conditions, that are currently not satisfied, include:

If you would like to inspect the situation in detail, perhaps to contribute to the further development of DESTool, please let us know.

 

 

libFAUDES 2.24a --- 2014.04.04 --- with "synthesis-observer-diagnosis-hiosys-iosystem-multitasking-coordinationcontrol-timed-simulator-iodevice-luabindings"