GNU Smalltalk Showstoppers FAQ

GNU Smalltalk Showstoppers FAQ

Questions covered by this document:


 * I cannot install GNU Smalltalk v2.0.1!?
 * How to compile GNU-Smalltalk under a cygwin environment
 * GNU Smalltalk, v2.0.1 ignores my image?
 * I read about gtk-blox, but couldn't find anything useful. Why?
 * GNU Smalltalk, v2.0.2 does not compile
 * I'm using a subclass of CObject and the interpreter segfaults?

You may also refer to Known bugs?.

Q: I cannot install GNU Smalltalk v2.0.1!?

A: There is a little bug in kernel/PkgLoader.st. Apply the patch PkgLoaderBaseDirectory?.patch

This is fixed in smalltalk-2.0.2.

Q: How to compile GNU-Smalltalk under a cygwin environment

A: It's simple: "./configure && make install". There is an issue concerning the DLD, but that will be solved soon (I think).

Q: GNU Smalltalk, v2.0.1 ignores my image?

A: Load it explicitly with the -I flag, or point SMALLTALK_IMAGE to a directory containing the gst.im file. Versions previous to 2.0.1 looked for the image in the current directory — this undocumented behavior was removed in 2.0.1, and will be reinstated and documented in 2.0.2.

Q: '''I read about gtk-blox, but couldn't find anything useful. Why?'''

A: It's an issue with the GTK-library. As soon, as you're in gtk_main loop, the control of the logic is in the hand of gtk. GNU Smalltalk, in turn, needs the control of the logic. If you're skilled and a gtk hacker, it would be nice if you assist :-) Once this is done, writing the Blox wrappers for GTK should not be too hard.

As a proof of concept, the scripts to create Smalltalk classes for GTK itself are already there.

Q: GNU Smalltalk, v2.0.2 does not compile

A: You'll need at gcc >= v3.0 or this first Patch: VarsAndStatements?.patch

Q: I'm using a subclass of CObject and the interpreter segfaults?

A: CObject und subclasses are untouched since Paolo Bonzini took over maintainance of GNU Smalltalk. Changes to simplify programming with the CObject hierarchy are targetted for v2.0.4