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Info Catalog (gmp.info.gz) Installing GMP (gmp.info.gz) Installing GMP (gmp.info.gz) ABI and ISA
 
 Build Options
 =============
 
 All the usual autoconf configure options are available, run `./configure
 --help' for a summary.  The file `INSTALL.autoconf' has some generic
 installation information too.
 
 Tools
      `configure' requires various Unix-like tools.  See  Notes for
      Particular Systems, for some options on non-Unix systems.
 
      It might be possible to build without the help of `configure',
      certainly all the code is there, but unfortunately you'll be on
      your own.
 
 Build Directory
      To compile in a separate build directory, `cd' to that directory,
      and prefix the configure command with the path to the GMP source
      directory.  For example
 
           cd /my/build/dir
           /my/sources/gmp-4.2.1/configure
 
      Not all `make' programs have the necessary features (`VPATH') to
      support this.  In particular, SunOS and Slowaris `make' have bugs
      that make them unable to build in a separate directory.  Use GNU
      `make' instead.
 
 `--prefix' and `--exec-prefix'
      The `--prefix' option can be used in the normal way to direct GMP
      to install under a particular tree.  The default is `/usr/local'.
 
      `--exec-prefix' can be used to direct architecture-dependent files
      like `libgmp.a' to a different location.  This can be used to share
      architecture-independent parts like the documentation, but
      separate the dependent parts.  Note however that `gmp.h' and
      `mp.h' are architecture-dependent since they encode certain
      aspects of `libgmp', so it will be necessary to ensure both
      `$prefix/include' and `$exec_prefix/include' are available to the
      compiler.
 
 `--disable-shared', `--disable-static'
      By default both shared and static libraries are built (where
      possible), but one or other can be disabled.  Shared libraries
      result in smaller executables and permit code sharing between
      separate running processes, but on some CPUs are slightly slower,
      having a small cost on each function call.
 
 Native Compilation, `--build=CPU-VENDOR-OS'
      For normal native compilation, the system can be specified with
      `--build'.  By default `./configure' uses the output from running
      `./config.guess'.  On some systems `./config.guess' can determine
      the exact CPU type, on others it will be necessary to give it
      explicitly.  For example,
 
           ./configure --build=ultrasparc-sun-solaris2.7
 
      In all cases the `OS' part is important, since it controls how
      libtool generates shared libraries.  Running `./config.guess' is
      the simplest way to see what it should be, if you don't know
      already.
 
 Cross Compilation, `--host=CPU-VENDOR-OS'
      When cross-compiling, the system used for compiling is given by
      `--build' and the system where the library will run is given by
      `--host'.  For example when using a FreeBSD Athlon system to build
      GNU/Linux m68k binaries,
 
           ./configure --build=athlon-pc-freebsd3.5 --host=m68k-mac-linux-gnu
 
      Compiler tools are sought first with the host system type as a
      prefix.  For example `m68k-mac-linux-gnu-ranlib' is tried, then
      plain `ranlib'.  This makes it possible for a set of
      cross-compiling tools to co-exist with native tools.  The prefix
      is the argument to `--host', and this can be an alias, such as
      `m68k-linux'.  But note that tools don't have to be setup this
      way, it's enough to just have a `PATH' with a suitable
      cross-compiling `cc' etc.
 
      Compiling for a different CPU in the same family as the build
      system is a form of cross-compilation, though very possibly this
      would merely be special options on a native compiler.  In any case
      `./configure' avoids depending on being able to run code on the
      build system, which is important when creating binaries for a
      newer CPU since they very possibly won't run on the build system.
 
      In all cases the compiler must be able to produce an executable
      (of whatever format) from a standard C `main'.  Although only
      object files will go to make up `libgmp', `./configure' uses
      linking tests for various purposes, such as determining what
      functions are available on the host system.
 
      Currently a warning is given unless an explicit `--build' is used
      when cross-compiling, because it may not be possible to correctly
      guess the build system type if the `PATH' has only a
      cross-compiling `cc'.
 
      Note that the `--target' option is not appropriate for GMP.  It's
      for use when building compiler tools, with `--host' being where
      they will run, and `--target' what they'll produce code for.
      Ordinary programs or libraries like GMP are only interested in the
      `--host' part, being where they'll run.  (Some past versions of
      GMP used `--target' incorrectly.)
 
 CPU types
      In general, if you want a library that runs as fast as possible,
      you should configure GMP for the exact CPU type your system uses.
      However, this may mean the binaries won't run on older members of
      the family, and might run slower on other members, older or newer.
      The best idea is always to build GMP for the exact machine type
      you intend to run it on.
 
      The following CPUs have specific support.  See `configure.in' for
      details of what code and compiler options they select.
 
         * Alpha: alpha, alphaev5, alphaev56, alphapca56, alphapca57,
           alphaev6, alphaev67, alphaev68 alphaev7
 
         * Cray: c90, j90, t90, sv1
 
         * HPPA: hppa1.0, hppa1.1, hppa2.0, hppa2.0n, hppa2.0w, hppa64
 
         * IA-64: ia64, itanium, itanium2
 
         * MIPS: mips, mips3, mips64
 
         * Motorola: m68k, m68000, m68010, m68020, m68030, m68040,
           m68060, m68302, m68360, m88k, m88110
 
         * POWER: power, power1, power2, power2sc
 
         * PowerPC: powerpc, powerpc64, powerpc401, powerpc403,
           powerpc405, powerpc505, powerpc601, powerpc602, powerpc603,
           powerpc603e, powerpc604, powerpc604e, powerpc620, powerpc630,
           powerpc740, powerpc7400, powerpc7450, powerpc750, powerpc801,
           powerpc821, powerpc823, powerpc860, powerpc970
 
         * SPARC: sparc, sparcv8, microsparc, supersparc, sparcv9,
           ultrasparc, ultrasparc2, ultrasparc2i, ultrasparc3, sparc64
 
         * x86 family: i386, i486, i586, pentium, pentiummmx, pentiumpro,
           pentium2, pentium3, pentium4, k6, k62, k63, athlon, amd64,
           viac3, viac32
 
         * Other: a29k, arm, clipper, i960, ns32k, pyramid, sh, sh2, vax,
           z8k
 
      CPUs not listed will use generic C code.
 
 Generic C Build
      If some of the assembly code causes problems, or if otherwise
      desired, the generic C code can be selected with CPU `none'.  For
      example,
 
           ./configure --host=none-unknown-freebsd3.5
 
      Note that this will run quite slowly, but it should be portable
      and should at least make it possible to get something running if
      all else fails.
 
 Fat binary, `--enable-fat'
      Using `--enable-fat' selects a "fat binary" build on x86, where
      optimized low level subroutines are chosen at runtime according to
      the CPU detected.  This means more code, but gives good
      performance on all x86 chips.  (This option might become available
      for more architectures in the future.)
 
 `ABI'
      On some systems GMP supports multiple ABIs (application binary
      interfaces), meaning data type sizes and calling conventions.  By
      default GMP chooses the best ABI available, but a particular ABI
      can be selected.  For example
 
           ./configure --host=mips64-sgi-irix6 ABI=n32
 
      See  ABI and ISA, for the available choices on relevant
      CPUs, and what applications need to do.
 
 `CC', `CFLAGS'
      By default the C compiler used is chosen from among some likely
      candidates, with `gcc' normally preferred if it's present.  The
      usual `CC=whatever' can be passed to `./configure' to choose
      something different.
 
      For various systems, default compiler flags are set based on the
      CPU and compiler.  The usual `CFLAGS="-whatever"' can be passed to
      `./configure' to use something different or to set good flags for
      systems GMP doesn't otherwise know.
 
      The `CC' and `CFLAGS' used are printed during `./configure', and
      can be found in each generated `Makefile'.  This is the easiest way
      to check the defaults when considering changing or adding
      something.
 
      Note that when `CC' and `CFLAGS' are specified on a system
      supporting multiple ABIs it's important to give an explicit
      `ABI=whatever', since GMP can't determine the ABI just from the
      flags and won't be able to select the correct assembler code.
 
      If just `CC' is selected then normal default `CFLAGS' for that
      compiler will be used (if GMP recognises it).  For example
      `CC=gcc' can be used to force the use of GCC, with default flags
      (and default ABI).
 
 `CPPFLAGS'
      Any flags like `-D' defines or `-I' includes required by the
      preprocessor should be set in `CPPFLAGS' rather than `CFLAGS'.
      Compiling is done with both `CPPFLAGS' and `CFLAGS', but
      preprocessing uses just `CPPFLAGS'.  This distinction is because
      most preprocessors won't accept all the flags the compiler does.
      Preprocessing is done separately in some configure tests, and in
      the `ansi2knr' support for K&R compilers.
 
 `CC_FOR_BUILD'
      Some build-time programs are compiled and run to generate
      host-specific data tables.  `CC_FOR_BUILD' is the compiler used
      for this.  It doesn't need to be in any particular ABI or mode, it
      merely needs to generate executables that can run.  The default is
      to try the selected `CC' and some likely candidates such as `cc'
      and `gcc', looking for something that works.
 
      No flags are used with `CC_FOR_BUILD' because a simple invocation
      like `cc foo.c' should be enough.  If some particular options are
      required they can be included as for instance `CC_FOR_BUILD="cc
      -whatever"'.
 
 C++ Support, `--enable-cxx'
      C++ support in GMP can be enabled with `--enable-cxx', in which
      case a C++ compiler will be required.  As a convenience
      `--enable-cxx=detect' can be used to enable C++ support only if a
      compiler can be found.  The C++ support consists of a library
      `libgmpxx.la' and header file `gmpxx.h' ( Headers and
      Libraries).
 
      A separate `libgmpxx.la' has been adopted rather than having C++
      objects within `libgmp.la' in order to ensure dynamic linked C
      programs aren't bloated by a dependency on the C++ standard
      library, and to avoid any chance that the C++ compiler could be
      required when linking plain C programs.
 
      `libgmpxx.la' will use certain internals from `libgmp.la' and can
      only be expected to work with `libgmp.la' from the same GMP
      version.  Future changes to the relevant internals will be
      accompanied by renaming, so a mismatch will cause unresolved
      symbols rather than perhaps mysterious misbehaviour.
 
      In general `libgmpxx.la' will be usable only with the C++ compiler
      that built it, since name mangling and runtime support are usually
      incompatible between different compilers.
 
 `CXX', `CXXFLAGS'
      When C++ support is enabled, the C++ compiler and its flags can be
      set with variables `CXX' and `CXXFLAGS' in the usual way.  The
      default for `CXX' is the first compiler that works from a list of
      likely candidates, with `g++' normally preferred when available.
      The default for `CXXFLAGS' is to try `CFLAGS', `CFLAGS' without
      `-g', then for `g++' either `-g -O2' or `-O2', or for other
      compilers `-g' or nothing.  Trying `CFLAGS' this way is convenient
      when using `gcc' and `g++' together, since the flags for `gcc' will
      usually suit `g++'.
 
      It's important that the C and C++ compilers match, meaning their
      startup and runtime support routines are compatible and that they
      generate code in the same ABI (if there's a choice of ABIs on the
      system).  `./configure' isn't currently able to check these things
      very well itself, so for that reason `--disable-cxx' is the
      default, to avoid a build failure due to a compiler mismatch.
      Perhaps this will change in the future.
 
      Incidentally, it's normally not good enough to set `CXX' to the
      same as `CC'.  Although `gcc' for instance recognises `foo.cc' as
      C++ code, only `g++' will invoke the linker the right way when
      building an executable or shared library from C++ object files.
 
 Temporary Memory, `--enable-alloca=<choice>'
      GMP allocates temporary workspace using one of the following three
      methods, which can be selected with for instance
      `--enable-alloca=malloc-reentrant'.
 
         * `alloca' - C library or compiler builtin.
 
         * `malloc-reentrant' - the heap, in a re-entrant fashion.
 
         * `malloc-notreentrant' - the heap, with global variables.
 
      For convenience, the following choices are also available.
      `--disable-alloca' is the same as `no'.
 
         * `yes' - a synonym for `alloca'.
 
         * `no' - a synonym for `malloc-reentrant'.
 
         * `reentrant' - `alloca' if available, otherwise
           `malloc-reentrant'.  This is the default.
 
         * `notreentrant' - `alloca' if available, otherwise
           `malloc-notreentrant'.
 
      `alloca' is reentrant and fast, and is recommended.  It actually
      allocates just small blocks on the stack; larger ones use
      malloc-reentrant.
 
      `malloc-reentrant' is, as the name suggests, reentrant and thread
      safe, but `malloc-notreentrant' is faster and should be used if
      reentrancy is not required.
 
      The two malloc methods in fact use the memory allocation functions
      selected by `mp_set_memory_functions', these being `malloc' and
      friends by default.   Custom Allocation.
 
      An additional choice `--enable-alloca=debug' is available, to help
      when debugging memory related problems ( Debugging).
 
 FFT Multiplication, `--disable-fft'
      By default multiplications are done using Karatsuba, 3-way Toom,
      and Fermat FFT.  The FFT is only used on large to very large
      operands and can be disabled to save code size if desired.
 
 Berkeley MP, `--enable-mpbsd'
      The Berkeley MP compatibility library (`libmp') and header file
      (`mp.h') are built and installed only if `--enable-mpbsd' is used.
       BSD Compatible Functions.
 
 Assertion Checking, `--enable-assert'
      This option enables some consistency checking within the library.
      This can be of use while debugging,  Debugging.
 
 Execution Profiling, `--enable-profiling=prof/gprof/instrument'
      Enable profiling support, in one of various styles, 
      Profiling.
 
 `MPN_PATH'
      Various assembler versions of each mpn subroutines are provided.
      For a given CPU, a search is made though a path to choose a
      version of each.  For example `sparcv8' has
 
           MPN_PATH="sparc32/v8 sparc32 generic"
 
      which means look first for v8 code, then plain sparc32 (which is
      v7), and finally fall back on generic C.  Knowledgeable users with
      special requirements can specify a different path.  Normally this
      is completely unnecessary.
 
 Documentation
      The source for the document you're now reading is `doc/gmp.texi',
      in Texinfo format, see  Texinfo (texinfo)Top.
 
      Info format `doc/gmp.info' is included in the distribution.  The
      usual automake targets are available to make PostScript, DVI, PDF
      and HTML (these will require various TeX and Texinfo tools).
 
      DocBook and XML can be generated by the Texinfo `makeinfo' program
      too, see  Options for `makeinfo' (texinfo)makeinfo options.
 
      Some supplementary notes can also be found in the `doc'
      subdirectory.
 
 
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