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Revision 1.13 by root, Tue Dec 7 19:55:56 2010 UTC vs.
Revision 1.58 by root, Sun Jun 16 04:38:38 2013 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3staticperl - perl, libc, 100 modules, all in one 500kb file 3staticperl - perl, libc, 100 modules, all in one standalone 500kb file
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 staticperl help # print the embedded documentation 7 staticperl help # print the embedded documentation
8 staticperl fetch # fetch and unpack perl sources 8 staticperl fetch # fetch and unpack perl sources
9 staticperl configure # fetch and then configure perl 9 staticperl configure # fetch and then configure perl
10 staticperl build # configure and then build perl 10 staticperl build # configure and then build perl
11 staticperl install # build and then install perl 11 staticperl install # build and then install perl
12 staticperl clean # clean most intermediate files (restart at configure) 12 staticperl clean # clean most intermediate files (restart at configure)
13 staticperl distclean # delete everything installed by this script 13 staticperl distclean # delete everything installed by this script
14 staticperl perl ... # invoke the perlinterpreter
14 staticperl cpan # invoke CPAN shell 15 staticperl cpan # invoke CPAN shell
15 staticperl instmod path... # install unpacked modules 16 staticperl instsrc path... # install unpacked modules
16 staticperl instcpan modulename... # install modules from CPAN 17 staticperl instcpan modulename... # install modules from CPAN
17 staticperl mkbundle <bundle-args...> # see documentation 18 staticperl mkbundle <bundle-args...> # see documentation
18 staticperl mkperl <bundle-args...> # see documentation 19 staticperl mkperl <bundle-args...> # see documentation
20 staticperl mkapp appname <bundle-args...> # see documentation
19 21
20Typical Examples: 22Typical Examples:
21 23
22 staticperl install # fetch, configure, build and install perl 24 staticperl install # fetch, configure, build and install perl
23 staticperl cpan # run interactive cpan shell 25 staticperl cpan # run interactive cpan shell
24 staticperl mkperl -M '"Config_heavy.pl"' # build a perl that supports -V 26 staticperl mkperl -MConfig_heavy.pl # build a perl that supports -V
25 staticperl mkperl -MAnyEvent::Impl::Perl -MAnyEvent::HTTPD -MURI -MURI::http 27 staticperl mkperl -MAnyEvent::Impl::Perl -MAnyEvent::HTTPD -MURI -MURI::http
26 # build a perl with the above modules linked in 28 # build a perl with the above modules linked in
29 staticperl mkapp myapp --boot mainprog mymodules
30 # build a binary "myapp" from mainprog and mymodules
27 31
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 32=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 33
30This script helps you creating single-file perl interpreters, or embedding 34This script helps you to create single-file perl interpreters
31a perl interpreter in your applications. Single-file means that it is 35or applications, or embedding a perl interpreter in your
32fully self-contained - no separate shared objects, no autoload fragments, 36applications. Single-file means that it is fully self-contained - no
33no .pm or .pl files are needed. And when linking statically, you can 37separate shared objects, no autoload fragments, no .pm or .pl files are
34create (or embed) a single file that contains perl interpreter, libc, all 38needed. And when linking statically, you can create (or embed) a single
35the modules you need and all the libraries you need. 39file that contains perl interpreter, libc, all the modules you need, all
40the libraries you need and of course your actual program.
36 41
37With F<uClibc> and F<upx> on x86, you can create a single 500kb binary 42With F<uClibc> and F<upx> on x86, you can create a single 500kb binary
38that contains perl and 100 modules such as POSIX, AnyEvent, EV, IO::AIO, 43that contains perl and 100 modules such as POSIX, AnyEvent, EV, IO::AIO,
39Coro and so on. Or any other choice of modules. 44Coro and so on. Or any other choice of modules (and some other size :).
45
46To see how this turns out, you can try out smallperl and bigperl, two
47pre-built static and compressed perl binaries with many and even more
48modules: just follow the links at L<http://staticperl.schmorp.de/>.
40 49
41The created files do not need write access to the file system (like PAR 50The created files do not need write access to the file system (like PAR
42does). In fact, since this script is in many ways similar to PAR::Packer, 51does). In fact, since this script is in many ways similar to PAR::Packer,
43here are the differences: 52here are the differences:
44 53
63=item * The generated executables don't need a writable filesystem. 72=item * The generated executables don't need a writable filesystem.
64 73
65F<staticperl> loads all required files directly from memory. There is no 74F<staticperl> loads all required files directly from memory. There is no
66need to unpack files into a temporary directory. 75need to unpack files into a temporary directory.
67 76
68=item * More control over included files. 77=item * More control over included files, more burden.
69 78
70PAR tries to be maintenance and hassle-free - it tries to include more 79PAR tries to be maintenance and hassle-free - it tries to include more
71files than necessary to make sure everything works out of the box. The 80files than necessary to make sure everything works out of the box. It
72extra files (such as the unicode database) can take substantial amounts of 81mostly succeeds at this, but he extra files (such as the unicode database)
73memory and file size. 82can take substantial amounts of memory and file size.
74 83
75With F<staticperl>, the burden is mostly with the developer - only direct 84With F<staticperl>, the burden is mostly with the developer - only direct
76compile-time dependencies and L<AutoLoader> are handled automatically. 85compile-time dependencies and L<AutoLoader> are handled automatically.
77This means the modules to include often need to be tweaked manually. 86This means the modules to include often need to be tweaked manually.
87
88All this does not preclude more permissive modes to be implemented in
89the future, but right now, you have to resolve hidden dependencies
90manually.
78 91
79=item * PAR works out of the box, F<staticperl> does not. 92=item * PAR works out of the box, F<staticperl> does not.
80 93
81Maintaining your own custom perl build can be a pain in the ass, and while 94Maintaining your own custom perl build can be a pain in the ass, and while
82F<staticperl> tries to make this easy, it still requires a custom perl 95F<staticperl> tries to make this easy, it still requires a custom perl
103Afterwards, you create a list of files and modules you want to include, 116Afterwards, you create a list of files and modules you want to include,
104and then either build a new perl binary (that acts just like a normal perl 117and then either build a new perl binary (that acts just like a normal perl
105except everything is compiled in), or you create bundle files (basically C 118except everything is compiled in), or you create bundle files (basically C
106sources you can use to embed all files into your project). 119sources you can use to embed all files into your project).
107 120
108This step is very fast (a few seconds if PPI is not used for stripping, 121This step is very fast (a few seconds if PPI is not used for stripping, or
109more seconds otherwise, as PPI is very slow), and can be tweaked and 122the stripped files are in the cache), and can be tweaked and repeated as
110repeated as often as necessary. 123often as necessary.
111 124
112=head1 THE F<STATICPERL> SCRIPT 125=head1 THE F<STATICPERL> SCRIPT
113 126
114This module installs a script called F<staticperl> into your perl 127This module installs a script called F<staticperl> into your perl
115binary directory. The script is fully self-contained, and can be used 128binary directory. The script is fully self-contained, and can be
116without perl (for example, in an uClibc chroot environment). In fact, 129used without perl (for example, in an uClibc chroot environment). In
117it can be extracted from the C<App::Staticperl> distribution tarball as 130fact, it can be extracted from the C<App::Staticperl> distribution
118F<bin/staticperl>, without any installation. 131tarball as F<bin/staticperl>, without any installation. The
132newest (possibly alpha) version can also be downloaded from
133L<http://staticperl.schmorp.de/staticperl>.
119 134
120F<staticperl> interprets the first argument as a command to execute, 135F<staticperl> interprets the first argument as a command to execute,
121optionally followed by any parameters. 136optionally followed by any parameters.
122 137
123There are two command categories: the "phase 1" commands which deal with 138There are two command categories: the "phase 1" commands which deal with
125with creating binaries and bundle files. 140with creating binaries and bundle files.
126 141
127=head2 PHASE 1 COMMANDS: INSTALLING PERL 142=head2 PHASE 1 COMMANDS: INSTALLING PERL
128 143
129The most important command is F<install>, which does basically 144The most important command is F<install>, which does basically
130everything. The default is to download and install perl 5.12.2 and a few 145everything. The default is to download and install perl 5.12.3 and a few
131modules required by F<staticperl> itself, but all this can (and should) be 146modules required by F<staticperl> itself, but all this can (and should) be
132changed - see L<CONFIGURATION>, below. 147changed - see L<CONFIGURATION>, below.
133 148
134The command 149The command
135 150
136 staticperl install 151 staticperl install
137 152
138Is normally all you need: It installs the perl interpreter in 153is normally all you need: It installs the perl interpreter in
139F<~/.staticperl/perl>. It downloads, configures, builds and installs the 154F<~/.staticperl/perl>. It downloads, configures, builds and installs the
140perl interpreter if required. 155perl interpreter if required.
141 156
142Most of the following commands simply run one or more steps of this 157Most of the following F<staticperl> subcommands simply run one or more
143sequence. 158steps of this sequence.
159
160If it fails, then most commonly because the compiler options I selected
161are not supported by your compiler - either edit the F<staticperl> script
162yourself or create F<~/.staticperl> shell script where your set working
163C<PERL_CCFLAGS> etc. variables.
144 164
145To force recompilation or reinstallation, you need to run F<staticperl 165To force recompilation or reinstallation, you need to run F<staticperl
146distclean> first. 166distclean> first.
147 167
148=over 4 168=over 4
149 169
170=item F<staticperl version>
171
172Prints some info about the version of the F<staticperl> script you are using.
173
150=item F<staticperl fetch> 174=item F<staticperl fetch>
151 175
152Runs only the download and unpack phase, unless this has already happened. 176Runs only the download and unpack phase, unless this has already happened.
153 177
154=item F<staticperl configure> 178=item F<staticperl configure>
162 186
163=item F<staticperl install> 187=item F<staticperl install>
164 188
165Wipes the perl installation directory (usually F<~/.staticperl/perl>) and 189Wipes the perl installation directory (usually F<~/.staticperl/perl>) and
166installs the perl distribution, potentially after building it first. 190installs the perl distribution, potentially after building it first.
191
192=item F<staticperl perl> [args...]
193
194Invokes the compiled perl interpreter with the given args. Basically the
195same as starting perl directly (usually via F<~/.staticperl/bin/perl>),
196but beats typing the path sometimes.
197
198Example: check that the Gtk2 module is installed and loadable.
199
200 staticperl perl -MGtk2 -e0
167 201
168=item F<staticperl cpan> [args...] 202=item F<staticperl cpan> [args...]
169 203
170Starts an interactive CPAN shell that you can use to install further 204Starts an interactive CPAN shell that you can use to install further
171modules. Installs the perl first if necessary, but apart from that, 205modules. Installs the perl first if necessary, but apart from that,
172no magic is involved: you could just as well run it manually via 206no magic is involved: you could just as well run it manually via
173F<~/.staticperl/perl/bin/cpan>. 207F<~/.staticperl/perl/bin/cpan>, except that F<staticperl> additionally
208sets the environment variable C<$PERL> to the path of the perl
209interpreter, which is handy in subshells.
174 210
175Any additional arguments are simply passed to the F<cpan> command. 211Any additional arguments are simply passed to the F<cpan> command.
176 212
177=item F<staticperl instcpan> module... 213=item F<staticperl instcpan> module...
178 214
191 227
192=item F<staticperl clean> 228=item F<staticperl clean>
193 229
194Deletes the perl source directory (and potentially cleans up other 230Deletes the perl source directory (and potentially cleans up other
195intermediate files). This can be used to clean up files only needed for 231intermediate files). This can be used to clean up files only needed for
196building perl, without removing the installed perl interpreter, or to 232building perl, without removing the installed perl interpreter.
197force a re-build from scratch.
198 233
199At the moment, it doesn't delete downloaded tarballs. 234At the moment, it doesn't delete downloaded tarballs.
235
236The exact semantics of this command will probably change.
200 237
201=item F<staticperl distclean> 238=item F<staticperl distclean>
202 239
203This wipes your complete F<~/.staticperl> directory. Be careful with this, 240This wipes your complete F<~/.staticperl> directory. Be careful with this,
204it nukes your perl download, perl sources, perl distribution and any 241it nukes your perl download, perl sources, perl distribution and any
228 265
229 # first make sure we have perl and the required modules 266 # first make sure we have perl and the required modules
230 staticperl instcpan AnyEvent::HTTPD 267 staticperl instcpan AnyEvent::HTTPD
231 268
232 # now build the perl 269 # now build the perl
233 staticperl mkperl -M'"Config_heavy.pl"' -MAnyEvent::Impl::Perl \ 270 staticperl mkperl -MConfig_heavy.pl -MAnyEvent::Impl::Perl \
234 -MAnyEvent::HTTPD -MURI::http \ 271 -MAnyEvent::HTTPD -MURI::http \
235 --add 'eg/httpd httpd.pm' 272 --add 'eg/httpd httpd.pm'
236 273
237 # finally, invoke it 274 # finally, invoke it
238 ./perl -Mhttpd 275 ./perl -Mhttpd
244(required by L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>) implements various URI schemes as extra 281(required by L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>) implements various URI schemes as extra
245modules - since L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> only needs C<http> URIs, we only need 282modules - since L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> only needs C<http> URIs, we only need
246to include that module. I found out about these dependencies by carefully 283to include that module. I found out about these dependencies by carefully
247watching any error messages about missing modules... 284watching any error messages about missing modules...
248 285
286Instead of building a new perl binary, you can also build a standalone
287application:
288
289 # build the app
290 staticperl mkapp app --boot eg/httpd \
291 -MAnyEvent::Impl::Perl -MAnyEvent::HTTPD -MURI::http
292
293 # run it
294 ./app
295
296Here are the three phase 2 commands:
297
298=over 4
299
300=item F<staticperl mkbundle> args...
301
302The "default" bundle command - it interprets the given bundle options and
303writes out F<bundle.h>, F<bundle.c>, F<bundle.ccopts> and F<bundle.ldopts>
304files, useful for embedding.
305
306=item F<staticperl mkperl> args...
307
308Creates a bundle just like F<staticperl mkbundle> (in fact, it's the same
309as invoking F<staticperl mkbundle --perl> args...), but then compiles and
310links a new perl interpreter that embeds the created bundle, then deletes
311all intermediate files.
312
313=item F<staticperl mkapp> filename args...
314
315Does the same as F<staticperl mkbundle> (in fact, it's the same as
316invoking F<staticperl mkbundle --app> filename args...), but then compiles
317and links a new standalone application that simply initialises the perl
318interpreter.
319
320The difference to F<staticperl mkperl> is that the standalone application
321does not act like a perl interpreter would - in fact, by default it would
322just do nothing and exit immediately, so you should specify some code to
323be executed via the F<--boot> option.
324
325=back
326
249=head3 OPTION PROCESSING 327=head3 OPTION PROCESSING
250 328
251All options can be given as arguments on the command line (typically 329All options can be given as arguments on the command line (typically
252using long (e.g. C<--verbose>) or short option (e.g. C<-v>) style). Since 330using long (e.g. C<--verbose>) or short option (e.g. C<-v>) style). Since
253specifying a lot of modules can make the command line very cumbersome, 331specifying a lot of options can make the command line very long and
254you can put all long options into a "bundle specification file" (with or 332unwieldy, you can put all long options into a "bundle specification file"
255without C<--> prefix) and specify this bundle file instead. 333(one option per line, with or without C<--> prefix) and specify this
334bundle file instead.
256 335
257For example, the command given earlier could also look like this: 336For example, the command given earlier to link a new F<perl> could also
337look like this:
258 338
259 staticperl mkperl httpd.bundle 339 staticperl mkperl httpd.bundle
260 340
261And all options could be in F<httpd.bundle>: 341With all options stored in the F<httpd.bundle> file (one option per line,
262 342everything after the option is an argument):
343
263 use "Config_heavy.pl" 344 use "Config_heavy.pl"
264 use AnyEvent::Impl::Perl 345 use AnyEvent::Impl::Perl
265 use AnyEvent::HTTPD 346 use AnyEvent::HTTPD
266 use URI::http 347 use URI::http
267 add eg/httpd httpd.pm 348 add eg/httpd httpd.pm
268 349
269All options that specify modules or files to be added are processed in the 350All options that specify modules or files to be added are processed in the
270order given on the command line (that affects the C<--use> and C<--eval> 351order given on the command line.
271options at the moment).
272 352
273=head3 MKBUNDLE OPTIONS 353=head3 BUNDLE CREATION WORKFLOW / STATICPERL MKBUNDLE OPTIONS
274 354
275=over 4 355F<staticperl mkbundle> works by first assembling a list of candidate
356files and modules to include, then filtering them by include/exclude
357patterns. The remaining modules (together with their direct dependencies,
358such as link libraries and L<AutoLoader> files) are then converted into
359bundle files suitable for embedding. F<staticperl mkbundle> can then
360optionally build a new perl interpreter or a standalone application.
276 361
362=over 4
363
364=item Step 0: Generic argument processing.
365
366The following options influence F<staticperl mkbundle> itself.
367
368=over 4
369
277=item --verbose | -v 370=item C<--verbose> | C<-v>
278 371
279Increases the verbosity level by one (the default is C<1>). 372Increases the verbosity level by one (the default is C<1>).
280 373
281=item --quiet | -q 374=item C<--quiet> | C<-q>
282 375
283Decreases the verbosity level by one. 376Decreases the verbosity level by one.
284 377
378=item any other argument
379
380Any other argument is interpreted as a bundle specification file, which
381supports all options (without extra quoting), one option per line, in the
382format C<option> or C<option argument>. They will effectively be expanded
383and processed as if they were directly written on the command line, in
384place of the file name.
385
386=back
387
388=item Step 1: gather candidate files and modules
389
390In this step, modules, perl libraries (F<.pl> files) and other files are
391selected for inclusion in the bundle. The relevant options are executed
392in order (this makes a difference mostly for C<--eval>, which can rely on
393earlier C<--use> options to have been executed).
394
395=over 4
396
397=item C<--use> F<module> | C<-M>F<module>
398
399Include the named module or perl library and trace direct
400dependencies. This is done by loading the module in a subprocess and
401tracing which other modules and files it actually loads.
402
403Example: include AnyEvent and AnyEvent::Impl::Perl.
404
405 staticperl mkbundle --use AnyEvent --use AnyEvent::Impl::Perl
406
407Sometimes you want to load old-style "perl libraries" (F<.pl> files), or
408maybe other weirdly named files. To support this, the C<--use> option
409actually tries to do what you mean, depending on the string you specify:
410
411=over 4
412
413=item a possibly valid module name, e.g. F<common::sense>, F<Carp>,
414F<Coro::Mysql>.
415
416If the string contains no quotes, no F</> and no F<.>, then C<--use>
417assumes that it is a normal module name. It will create a new package and
418evaluate a C<use module> in it, i.e. it will load the package and do a
419default import.
420
421The import step is done because many modules trigger more dependencies
422when something is imported than without.
423
424=item anything that contains F</> or F<.> characters,
425e.g. F<utf8_heavy.pl>, F<Module/private/data.pl>.
426
427The string will be quoted and passed to require, as if you used C<require
428$module>. Nothing will be imported.
429
430=item "path" or 'path', e.g. C<"utf8_heavy.pl">.
431
432If you enclose the name into single or double quotes, then the quotes will
433be removed and the resulting string will be passed to require. This syntax
434is form compatibility with older versions of staticperl and should not be
435used anymore.
436
437=back
438
439Example: C<use> AnyEvent::Socket, once using C<use> (importing the
440symbols), and once via C<require>, not importing any symbols. The first
441form is preferred as many modules load some extra dependencies when asked
442to export symbols.
443
444 staticperl mkbundle -MAnyEvent::Socket # use + import
445 staticperl mkbundle -MAnyEvent/Socket.pm # require only
446
447Example: include the required files for F<perl -V> to work in all its
448glory (F<Config.pm> is included automatically by the dependency tracker).
449
450 # shell command
451 staticperl mkbundle -MConfig_heavy.pl
452
453 # bundle specification file
454 use Config_heavy.pl
455
456The C<-M>module syntax is included as a convenience that might be easier
457to remember than C<--use> - it's the same switch as perl itself uses
458to load modules. Or maybe it confuses people. Time will tell. Or maybe
459not. Sigh.
460
461=item C<--eval> "perl code" | C<-e> "perl code"
462
463Sometimes it is easier (or necessary) to specify dependencies using perl
464code, or maybe one of the modules you use need a special use statement. In
465that case, you can use C<--eval> to execute some perl snippet or set some
466variables or whatever you need. All files C<require>'d or C<use>'d while
467executing the snippet are included in the final bundle.
468
469Keep in mind that F<mkbundle> will not import any symbols from the modules
470named by the C<--use> option, so do not expect the symbols from modules
471you C<--use>'d earlier on the command line to be available.
472
473Example: force L<AnyEvent> to detect a backend and therefore include it
474in the final bundle.
475
476 staticperl mkbundle --eval 'use AnyEvent; AnyEvent::detect'
477
478 # or like this
479 staticperl mkbundle -MAnyEvent --eval 'AnyEvent::detect'
480
481Example: use a separate "bootstrap" script that C<use>'s lots of modules
482and also include this in the final bundle, to be executed automatically
483when the interpreter is initialised.
484
485 staticperl mkbundle --eval 'do "bootstrap"' --boot bootstrap
486
487=item C<--boot> F<filename>
488
489Include the given file in the bundle and arrange for it to be
490executed (using C<require>) before the main program when the new perl
491is initialised. This can be used to modify C<@INC> or do similar
492modifications before the perl interpreter executes scripts given on the
493command line (or via C<-e>). This works even in an embedded interpreter -
494the file will be executed during interpreter initialisation in that case.
495
496=item C<--incglob> pattern
497
498This goes through all standard library directories and tries to match any
499F<.pm> and F<.pl> files against the extended glob pattern (see below). If
500a file matches, it is added. The pattern is matched against the full path
501of the file (sans the library directory prefix), e.g. F<Sys/Syslog.pm>.
502
503This is very useful to include "everything":
504
505 --incglob '*'
506
507It is also useful for including perl libraries, or trees of those, such as
508the unicode database files needed by some perl built-ins, the regex engine
509and other modules.
510
511 --incglob '/unicore/**.pl'
512
513=item C<--add> F<file> | C<--add> "F<file> alias"
514
515Adds the given (perl) file into the bundle (and optionally call it
516"alias"). The F<file> is either an absolute path or a path relative to the
517current directory. If an alias is specified, then this is the name it will
518use for C<@INC> searches, otherwise the path F<file> will be used as the
519internal name.
520
521This switch is used to include extra files into the bundle.
522
523Example: embed the file F<httpd> in the current directory as F<httpd.pm>
524when creating the bundle.
525
526 staticperl mkperl --add "httpd httpd.pm"
527
528 # can be accessed via "use httpd"
529
530Example: add a file F<initcode> from the current directory.
531
532 staticperl mkperl --add 'initcode &initcode'
533
534 # can be accessed via "do '&initcode'"
535
536Example: add local files as extra modules in the bundle.
537
538 # specification file
539 add file1 myfiles/file1.pm
540 add file2 myfiles/file2.pm
541 add file3 myfiles/file3.pl
542
543 # then later, in perl, use
544 use myfiles::file1;
545 require myfiles::file2;
546 my $res = do "myfiles/file3.pl";
547
548=item C<--addbin> F<file> | C<--addbin> "F<file> alias"
549
550Just like C<--add>, except that it treats the file as binary and adds it
551without any postprocessing (perl files might get stripped to reduce their
552size).
553
554If you specify an alias you should probably add a C</> prefix to avoid
555clashing with embedded perl files (whose paths never start with C</>),
556and/or use a special directory prefix, such as C</res/name>.
557
558You can later get a copy of these files by calling C<static::find
559"alias">.
560
561An alternative way to embed binary files is to convert them to perl and
562use C<do> to get the contents - this method is a bit cumbersome, but works
563both inside and outside of a staticperl bundle, without extra ado:
564
565 # a "binary" file, call it "bindata.pl"
566 <<'SOME_MARKER'
567 binary data NOT containing SOME_MARKER
568 SOME_MARKER
569
570 # load the binary
571 chomp (my $data = do "bindata.pl");
572
573=item C<--allow-dynamic>
574
575By default, when F<mkbundle> hits a dynamic perl extension (e.g. a F<.so>
576or F<.dll> file), it will stop with a fatal error.
577
578When this option is enabled, F<mkbundle> packages the shared
579object into the bundle instead, with a prefix of F<!>
580(e.g. F<!auto/List/Util/Util.so>). What you do with that is currently up
581to you, F<staticperl> has no special support for this at the moment, apart
582from working around the lack of availability of F<PerlIO::scalar> while
583bootstrapping, at a speed cost.
584
585One way to deal with this is to write all files starting with F<!> into
586some directory and then C<unshift> that path onto C<@INC>.
587
588#TODO: example
589
590=back
591
592=item Step 2: filter all files using C<--include> and C<--exclude> options.
593
594After all candidate files and modules are added, they are I<filtered>
595by a combination of C<--include> and C<--exclude> patterns (there is an
596implicit C<--include *> at the end, so if no filters are specified, all
597files are included).
598
599All that this step does is potentially reduce the number of files that are
600to be included - no new files are added during this step.
601
602=over 4
603
604=item C<--include> pattern | C<-i> pattern | C<--exclude> pattern | C<-x> pattern
605
606These specify an include or exclude pattern to be applied to the candidate
607file list. An include makes sure that the given files will be part of the
608resulting file set, an exclude will exclude remaining files. The patterns
609are "extended glob patterns" (see below).
610
611The patterns are applied "in order" - files included via earlier
612C<--include> specifications cannot be removed by any following
613C<--exclude>, and likewise, and file excluded by an earlier C<--exclude>
614cannot be added by any following C<--include>.
615
616For example, to include everything except C<Devel> modules, but still
617include F<Devel::PPPort>, you could use this:
618
619 --incglob '*' -i '/Devel/PPPort.pm' -x '/Devel/**'
620
621=back
622
623=item Step 3: add any extra or "hidden" dependencies.
624
625F<staticperl> currently knows about three extra types of depdendencies
626that are added automatically. Only one (F<.packlist> files) is currently
627optional and can be influenced, the others are always included:
628
629=over 4
630
631=item C<--usepacklists>
632
633Read F<.packlist> files for each distribution that happens to match a
634module name you specified. Sounds weird, and it is, so expect semantics to
635change somehow in the future.
636
637The idea is that most CPAN distributions have a F<.pm> file that matches
638the name of the distribution (which is rather reasonable after all).
639
640If this switch is enabled, then if any of the F<.pm> files that have been
641selected match an install distribution, then all F<.pm>, F<.pl>, F<.al>
642and F<.ix> files installed by this distribution are also included.
643
644For example, using this switch, when the L<URI> module is specified, then
645all L<URI> submodules that have been installed via the CPAN distribution
646are included as well, so you don't have to manually specify them.
647
648=item L<AutoLoader> splitfiles
649
650Some modules use L<AutoLoader> - less commonly (hopefully) used functions
651are split into separate F<.al> files, and an index (F<.ix>) file contains
652the prototypes.
653
654Both F<.ix> and F<.al> files will be detected automatically and added to
655the bundle.
656
657=item link libraries (F<.a> files)
658
659Modules using XS (or any other non-perl language extension compiled at
660installation time) will have a static archive (typically F<.a>). These
661will automatically be added to the linker options in F<bundle.ldopts>.
662
663Should F<staticperl> find a dynamic link library (typically F<.so>) it
664will warn about it - obviously this shouldn't happen unless you use
665F<staticperl> on the wrong perl, or one (probably wrongly) configured to
666use dynamic loading.
667
668=item extra libraries (F<extralibs.ld>)
669
670Some modules need linking against external libraries - these are found in
671F<extralibs.ld> and added to F<bundle.ldopts>.
672
673=back
674
675=item Step 4: write bundle files and optionally link a program
676
677At this point, the select files will be read, processed (stripped) and
678finally the bundle files get written to disk, and F<staticperl mkbundle>
679is normally finished. Optionally, it can go a step further and either link
680a new F<perl> binary with all selected modules and files inside, or build
681a standalone application.
682
683Both the contents of the bundle files and any extra linking is controlled
684by these options:
685
686=over 4
687
285=item --strip none|pod|ppi 688=item C<--strip> C<none>|C<pod>|C<ppi>
286 689
287Specify the stripping method applied to reduce the file of the perl 690Specify the stripping method applied to reduce the file of the perl
288sources included. 691sources included.
289 692
290The default is C<pod>, which uses the L<Pod::Strip> module to remove all 693The default is C<pod>, which uses the L<Pod::Strip> module to remove all
291pod documentation, which is very fast and reduces file size a lot. 694pod documentation, which is very fast and reduces file size a lot.
292 695
293The C<ppi> method uses L<PPI> to parse and condense the perl sources. This 696The C<ppi> method uses L<PPI> to parse and condense the perl sources. This
294saves a lot more than just L<Pod::Strip>, and is generally safer, but 697saves a lot more than just L<Pod::Strip>, and is generally safer,
295is also a lot slower, so is best used for production builds. Note that 698but is also a lot slower (some files take almost a minute to strip -
296this method doesn't optimise for raw file size, but for best compression 699F<staticperl> maintains a cache of stripped files to speed up subsequent
297(that means that the uncompressed file size is a bit larger, but the files 700runs for this reason). Note that this method doesn't optimise for raw file
298compress better, e.g. with F<upx>). 701size, but for best compression (that means that the uncompressed file size
702is a bit larger, but the files compress better, e.g. with F<upx>).
299 703
300Last not least, if you need accurate line numbers in error messages, 704Last not least, if you need accurate line numbers in error messages,
301or in the unlikely case where C<pod> is too slow, or some module gets 705or in the unlikely case where C<pod> is too slow, or some module gets
302mistreated, you can specify C<none> to not mangle included perl sources in 706mistreated, you can specify C<none> to not mangle included perl sources in
303any way. 707any way.
304 708
305=item --perl 709=item C<--perl>
306 710
307After writing out the bundle files, try to link a new perl interpreter. It 711After writing out the bundle files, try to link a new perl interpreter. It
308will be called F<perl> and will be left in the current working 712will be called F<perl> and will be left in the current working
309directory. The bundle files will be removed. 713directory. The bundle files will be removed.
310 714
311This switch is automatically used when F<staticperl> is invoked with the 715This switch is automatically used when F<staticperl> is invoked with the
312C<mkperl> command (instead of C<mkbundle>): 716C<mkperl> command instead of C<mkbundle>.
313 717
314 # build a new ./perl with only common::sense in it - very small :) 718Example: build a new F<./perl> binary with only L<common::sense> inside -
719it will be even smaller than the standard perl interpreter as none of the
720modules of the base distribution (such as L<Fcntl>) will be included.
721
315 staticperl mkperl -Mcommon::sense 722 staticperl mkperl -Mcommon::sense
316 723
317=item --use module | -Mmodule 724=item C<--app> F<name>
318 725
319Include the named module and all direct dependencies. This is done by 726After writing out the bundle files, try to link a new standalone
320C<require>'ing the module in a subprocess and tracing which other modules 727program. It will be called C<name>, and the bundle files get removed after
321and files it actually loads. If the module uses L<AutoLoader>, then all 728linking it.
322splitfiles will be included as well.
323 729
324Example: include AnyEvent and AnyEvent::Impl::Perl. 730This switch is automatically used when F<staticperl> is invoked with the
731C<mkapp> command instead of C<mkbundle>.
325 732
326 staticperl mkbundle --use AnyEvent --use AnyEvent::Impl::Perl 733The difference to the (mutually exclusive) C<--perl> option is that the
734binary created by this option will not try to act as a perl interpreter -
735instead it will simply initialise the perl interpreter, clean it up and
736exit.
327 737
328Sometimes you want to load old-style "perl libraries" (F<.pl> files), or 738This means that, by default, it will do nothing but burn a few CPU cycles
329maybe other weirdly named files. To do that, you need to quote the name in 739- for it to do something useful you I<must> add some boot code, e.g. with
330single or double quotes. When given on the command line, you probably need 740the C<--boot> option.
331to quote once more to avoid your shell interpreting it. Common cases that
332need this are F<Config_heavy.pl> and F<utf8_heavy.pl>.
333 741
334Example: include the required files for F<perl -V> to work in all its 742Example: create a standalone perl binary called F<./myexe> that will
335glory (F<Config.pm> is included automatically by this). 743execute F<appfile> when it is started.
336 744
337 # bourne shell 745 staticperl mkbundle --app myexe --boot appfile
338 staticperl mkbundle --use '"Config_heavy.pl"'
339 746
340 # bundle specification file 747=item C<--ignore-env>
341 use "Config_heavy.pl"
342 748
343The C<-Mmodule> syntax is included as an alias that might be easier to 749Generates extra code to unset some environment variables before
344remember than C<use>. Or maybe it confuses people. Time will tell. Or 750initialising/running perl. Perl supports a lot of environment variables
345maybe not. Argh. 751that might alter execution in ways that might be undesirablre for
752standalone applications, and this option removes those known to cause
753trouble.
346 754
347=item --eval "perl code" | -e "perl code" 755Specifically, these are removed:
348 756
349Sometimes it is easier (or necessary) to specify dependencies using perl 757C<PERL_HASH_SEED_DEBUG> and C<PERL_DEBUG_MSTATS> can cause undesirable
350code, or maybe one of the modules you use need a special use statement. In 758output, C<PERL5OPT>, C<PERL_DESTRUCT_LEVEL>, C<PERL_HASH_SEED> and
351that case, you can use C<eval> to execute some perl snippet or set some 759C<PERL_SIGNALS> can alter execution significantly, and C<PERL_UNICODE>,
352variables or whatever you need. All files C<require>'d or C<use>'d in the 760C<PERLIO_DEBUG> and C<PERLIO> can affect input and output.
353script are included in the final bundle.
354 761
355Keep in mind that F<mkbundle> will only C<require> the modules named 762The variables C<PERL_LIB> and C<PERL5_LIB> are always ignored because the
356by the C<--use> option, so do not expect the symbols from modules you 763startup code used by F<staticperl> overrides C<@INC> in all cases.
357C<--use>'d earlier on the command line to be available.
358 764
359Example: force L<AnyEvent> to detect a backend and therefore include it 765This option will not make your program more secure (unless you are
360in the final bundle. 766running with elevated privileges), but it will reduce the surprise effect
767when a user has these environment variables set and doesn't expect your
768standalone program to act like a perl interpreter.
361 769
362 staticperl mkbundle --eval 'use AnyEvent; AnyEvent::detect'
363
364 # or like this
365 staticperl mkbundle -MAnyEvent --eval 'use AnyEvent; AnyEvent::detect'
366
367Example: use a separate "bootstrap" script that C<use>'s lots of modules
368and include this in the final bundle, to be executed automatically.
369
370 staticperl mkbundle --eval 'do "bootstrap"' --boot bootstrap
371
372=item --boot filename
373
374Include the given file in the bundle and arrange for it to be executed
375(using a C<require>) before anything else when the new perl is
376initialised. This can be used to modify C<@INC> or anything else before
377the perl interpreter executes scripts given on the command line (or via
378C<-e>). This works even in an embedded interpreter.
379
380=item --add "file" | --add "file alias"
381
382Adds the given (perl) file into the bundle (and optionally call it
383"alias"). This is useful to include any custom files into the bundle.
384
385Example: embed the file F<httpd> as F<httpd.pm> when creating the bundle.
386
387 staticperl mkperl --add "httpd httpd.pm"
388
389It is also a great way to add any custom modules:
390
391 # specification file
392 add file1 myfiles/file1
393 add file2 myfiles/file2
394 add file3 myfiles/file3
395
396=item --binadd "file" | --add "file alias"
397
398Just like C<--add>, except that it treats the file as binary and adds it
399without any processing.
400
401You should probably add a C</> prefix to avoid clashing with embedded
402perl files (whose paths do not start with C</>), and/or use a special
403directory, such as C</res/name>.
404
405You can later get a copy of these files by calling C<staticperl::find
406"alias">.
407
408=item --static 770=item C<--static>
409 771
410When C<--perl> is also given, link statically instead of dynamically. The 772Add C<-static> to F<bundle.ldopts>, which means a fully static (if
773supported by the OS) executable will be created. This is not immensely
774useful when just creating the bundle files, but is most useful when
775linking a binary with the C<--perl> or C<--app> options.
776
411default is to link the new perl interpreter fully dynamic (that means all 777The default is to link the new binary dynamically (that means all perl
412perl modules are linked statically, but all external libraries are still 778modules are linked statically, but all external libraries are still
413referenced dynamically). 779referenced dynamically).
414 780
415Keep in mind that Solaris doesn't support static linking at all, and 781Keep in mind that Solaris doesn't support static linking at all, and
416systems based on GNU libc don't really support it in a usable fashion 782systems based on GNU libc don't really support it in a very usable
417either. Try uClibc if you want to create fully statically linked 783fashion either. Try uClibc if you want to create fully statically linked
418executables, or try the C<--staticlibs> option to link only some libraries 784executables, or try the C<--staticlib> option to link only some libraries
419statically. 785statically.
420 786
421=item any other argument 787=item C<--staticlib> libname
422 788
423Any other argument is interpreted as a bundle specification file, which 789When not linking fully statically, this option allows you to link specific
424supports most long options (without extra quoting), one option per line. 790libraries statically. What it does is simply replace all occurrences of
791C<-llibname> with the GCC-specific C<-Wl,-Bstatic -llibname -Wl,-Bdynamic>
792option.
425 793
426=back 794This will have no effect unless the library is actually linked against,
795specifically, C<--staticlib> will not link against the named library
796unless it would be linked against anyway.
427 797
798Example: link libcrypt statically into the final binary.
799
800 staticperl mkperl -MIO::AIO --staticlib crypt
801
802 # ldopts might now contain:
803 # -lm -Wl,-Bstatic -lcrypt -Wl,-Bdynamic -lpthread
804
805=back
806
807=back
808
809=head3 EXTENDED GLOB PATTERNS
810
811Some options of F<staticperl mkbundle> expect an I<extended glob
812pattern>. This is neither a normal shell glob nor a regex, but something
813in between. The idea has been copied from rsync, and there are the current
814matching rules:
815
816=over 4
817
818=item Patterns starting with F</> will be a anchored at the root of the library tree.
819
820That is, F</unicore> will match the F<unicore> directory in C<@INC>, but
821nothing inside, and neither any other file or directory called F<unicore>
822anywhere else in the hierarchy.
823
824=item Patterns not starting with F</> will be anchored at the end of the path.
825
826That is, F<idna.pl> will match any file called F<idna.pl> anywhere in the
827hierarchy, but not any directories of the same name.
828
829=item A F<*> matches anything within a single path component.
830
831That is, F</unicore/*.pl> would match all F<.pl> files directly inside
832C</unicore>, not any deeper level F<.pl> files. Or in other words, F<*>
833will not match slashes.
834
835=item A F<**> matches anything.
836
837That is, F</unicore/**.pl> would match all F<.pl> files under F</unicore>,
838no matter how deeply nested they are inside subdirectories.
839
840=item A F<?> matches a single character within a component.
841
842That is, F</Encode/??.pm> matches F</Encode/JP.pm>, but not the
843hypothetical F</Encode/J/.pm>, as F<?> does not match F</>.
844
845=back
846
428=head2 F<STATCPERL> CONFIGURATION AND HOOKS 847=head2 F<STATICPERL> CONFIGURATION AND HOOKS
429 848
430During (each) startup, F<staticperl> tries to source the following shell 849During (each) startup, F<staticperl> tries to source some shell files to
850allow you to fine-tune/override configuration settings.
851
852In them you can override shell variables, or define shell functions
853("hooks") to be called at specific phases during installation. For
854example, you could define a C<postinstall> hook to install additional
855modules from CPAN each time you start from scratch.
856
857If the env variable C<$STATICPERLRC> is set, then F<staticperl> will try
858to source the file named with it only. Otherwise, it tries the following
431files in order: 859shell files in order:
432 860
433 /etc/staticperlrc 861 /etc/staticperlrc
434 ~/.staticperlrc 862 ~/.staticperlrc
435 $STATICPERL/rc 863 $STATICPERL/rc
436 864
437They can be used to override shell variables, or define functions to be
438called at specific phases.
439
440Note that the last file is erased during F<staticperl distclean>, so 865Note that the last file is erased during F<staticperl distclean>, so
441generally should not be used. 866generally should not be used.
442 867
443=head3 CONFIGURATION VARIABLES 868=head3 CONFIGURATION VARIABLES
444 869
476=item C<STATICPERL> 901=item C<STATICPERL>
477 902
478The directory where staticperl stores all its files 903The directory where staticperl stores all its files
479(default: F<~/.staticperl>). 904(default: F<~/.staticperl>).
480 905
906=item C<DLCACHE>
907
908The path to a directory (will be created if it doesn't exist) where
909downloaded perl sources are being cached, to avoid downloading them
910again. The default is empty, which means there is no cache.
911
912=item C<PERL_VERSION>
913
914The perl version to install - default is currently C<5.12.3>, but C<5.8.9>
915is also a good choice (5.8.9 is much smaller than 5.12.3, while 5.10.1 is
916about as big as 5.12.3).
917
481=item C<PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT>, C<EV_EXTRA_DEFS>, ... 918=item C<PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT>, C<EV_EXTRA_DEFS>, ...
482 919
483Usually set to C<1> to make modules "less inquisitive" during their 920Usually set to C<1> to make modules "less inquisitive" during their
484installation, you can set any environment variable you want - some modules 921installation. You can set (and export!) any environment variable you want
485(such as L<Coro> or L<EV>) use environment variables for further tweaking. 922- some modules (such as L<Coro> or L<EV>) use environment variables for
486 923further tweaking.
487=item C<PERL_VERSION>
488
489The perl version to install - default is currently C<5.12.2>, but C<5.8.9>
490is also a good choice (5.8.9 is much smaller than 5.12.2, while 5.10.1 is
491about as big as 5.12.2).
492 924
493=item C<PERL_PREFIX> 925=item C<PERL_PREFIX>
494 926
495The prefix where perl gets installed (default: F<$STATICPERL/perl>), 927The directory where perl gets installed (default: F<$STATICPERL/perl>),
496i.e. where the F<bin> and F<lib> subdirectories will end up. 928i.e. where the F<bin> and F<lib> subdirectories will end up. Previous
929contents will be removed on installation.
497 930
498=item C<PERL_CONFIGURE> 931=item C<PERL_CONFIGURE>
499 932
500Additional Configure options - these are simply passed to the perl 933Additional Configure options - these are simply passed to the perl
501Configure script. For example, if you wanted to enable dynamic loading, 934Configure script. For example, if you wanted to enable dynamic loading,
505 938
506More commonly, you would either activate 64 bit integer support 939More commonly, you would either activate 64 bit integer support
507(C<-Duse64bitint>), or disable large files support (-Uuselargefiles), to 940(C<-Duse64bitint>), or disable large files support (-Uuselargefiles), to
508reduce filesize further. 941reduce filesize further.
509 942
510=item C<PERL_CPPFLAGS>, C<PERL_OPTIMIZE>, C<PERL_LDFLAGS>, C<PERL_LIBS> 943=item C<PERL_CC>, C<PERL_CCFLAGS>, C<PERL_OPTIMIZE>, C<PERL_LDFLAGS>, C<PERL_LIBS>
511 944
512These flags are passed to perl's F<Configure> script, and are generally 945These flags are passed to perl's F<Configure> script, and are generally
513optimised for small size (at the cost of performance). Since they also 946optimised for small size (at the cost of performance). Since they also
514contain subtle workarounds around various build issues, changing these 947contain subtle workarounds around various build issues, changing these
515usually requires understanding their default values - best look at the top 948usually requires understanding their default values - best look at
516of the F<staticperl> script for more info on these. 949the top of the F<staticperl> script for more info on these, and use a
950F<~/.staticperlrc> to override them.
951
952Most of the variables override (or modify) the corresponding F<Configure>
953variable, except C<PERL_CCFLAGS>, which gets appended.
954
955The default for C<PERL_OPTIMIZE> is C<-Os> (assuming gcc), and for
956C<PERL_LIBS> is C<-lm -lcrypt>, which should be good for most (but not
957all) systems.
958
959For other compilers or more customised optimisation settings, you need to
960adjust these, e.g. in your F<~/.staticperlrc>.
961
962With gcc on x86 and amd64, you can get more space-savings by using:
963
964 -Os -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -finline-limit=8 -mpush-args
965 -mno-inline-stringops-dynamically -mno-align-stringops
966
967And on x86 and pentium3 and newer (basically everything you might ever
968want to run on), adding these is even better for space-savings (use
969-mtune=core2 or something newer for much faster code, too):
970
971 -fomit-frame-pointer -march=pentium3 -mtune=i386
517 972
518=back 973=back
519 974
520=head4 Variables you probably I<do not want> to override 975=head4 Variables you probably I<do not want> to override
521 976
522=over 4 977=over 4
978
979=item C<MAKE>
980
981The make command to use - default is C<make>.
523 982
524=item C<MKBUNDLE> 983=item C<MKBUNDLE>
525 984
526Where F<staticperl> writes the C<mkbundle> command to 985Where F<staticperl> writes the C<mkbundle> command to
527(default: F<$STATICPERL/mkbundle>). 986(default: F<$STATICPERL/mkbundle>).
536=head3 OVERRIDABLE HOOKS 995=head3 OVERRIDABLE HOOKS
537 996
538In addition to environment variables, it is possible to provide some 997In addition to environment variables, it is possible to provide some
539shell functions that are called at specific times. To provide your own 998shell functions that are called at specific times. To provide your own
540commands, just define the corresponding function. 999commands, just define the corresponding function.
1000
1001The actual order in which hooks are invoked during a full install
1002from scratch is C<preconfigure>, C<patchconfig>, C<postconfigure>,
1003C<postbuild>, C<postinstall>.
541 1004
542Example: install extra modules from CPAN and from some directories 1005Example: install extra modules from CPAN and from some directories
543at F<staticperl install> time. 1006at F<staticperl install> time.
544 1007
545 postinstall() { 1008 postinstall() {
552 1015
553=over 4 1016=over 4
554 1017
555=item preconfigure 1018=item preconfigure
556 1019
557Called just before running F<./Configur> in the perl source 1020Called just before running F<./Configure> in the perl source
558directory. Current working directory is the perl source directory. 1021directory. Current working directory is the perl source directory.
559 1022
560This can be used to set any C<PERL_xxx> variables, which might be costly 1023This can be used to set any C<PERL_xxx> variables, which might be costly
561to compute. 1024to compute.
562 1025
1026=item patchconfig
1027
1028Called after running F<./Configure> in the perl source directory to create
1029F<./config.sh>, but before running F<./Configure -S> to actually apply the
1030config. Current working directory is the perl source directory.
1031
1032Can be used to tailor/patch F<config.sh> or do any other modifications.
1033
563=item postconfigure 1034=item postconfigure
564 1035
565Called after configuring, but before building perl. Current working 1036Called after configuring, but before building perl. Current working
566directory is the perl source directory. 1037directory is the perl source directory.
567
568Could be used to tailor/patch config.sh (followed by F<sh Configure -S>)
569or do any other modifications.
570 1038
571=item postbuild 1039=item postbuild
572 1040
573Called after building, but before installing perl. Current working 1041Called after building, but before installing perl. Current working
574directory is the perl source directory. 1042directory is the perl source directory.
612A header file that contains the prototypes of the few symbols "exported" 1080A header file that contains the prototypes of the few symbols "exported"
613by bundle.c, and also exposes the perl headers to the application. 1081by bundle.c, and also exposes the perl headers to the application.
614 1082
615=over 4 1083=over 4
616 1084
617=item staticperl_init () 1085=item staticperl_init (xs_init = 0)
618 1086
619Initialises the perl interpreter. You can use the normal perl functions 1087Initialises the perl interpreter. You can use the normal perl functions
620after calling this function, for example, to define extra functions or 1088after calling this function, for example, to define extra functions or
621to load a .pm file that contains some initialisation code, or the main 1089to load a .pm file that contains some initialisation code, or the main
622program function: 1090program function:
629 } 1097 }
630 1098
631 static void 1099 static void
632 run_myapp(void) 1100 run_myapp(void)
633 { 1101 {
634 staticperl_init (); 1102 staticperl_init (0);
635 newXSproto ("myapp::xsfunction", xsfunction, __FILE__, "$$;$"); 1103 newXSproto ("myapp::xsfunction", xsfunction, __FILE__, "$$;$");
636 eval_pv ("require myapp::main", 1); // executes "myapp/main.pm" 1104 eval_pv ("require myapp::main", 1); // executes "myapp/main.pm"
637 } 1105 }
638 1106
1107When your bootcode already wants to access some XS functions at
1108compiletime, then you need to supply an C<xs_init> function pointer that
1109is called as soon as perl is initialised enough to define XS functions,
1110but before the preamble code is executed:
1111
1112 static void
1113 xs_init (pTHX)
1114 {
1115 newXSproto ("myapp::xsfunction", xsfunction, __FILE__, "$$;$");
1116 }
1117
1118 static void
1119 run_myapp(void)
1120 {
1121 staticperl_init (xs_init);
1122 }
1123
1124=item staticperl_cleanup ()
1125
1126In the unlikely case that you want to destroy the perl interpreter, here
1127is the corresponding function.
1128
639=item staticperl_xs_init (pTHX) 1129=item staticperl_xs_init (pTHX)
640 1130
641Sometimes you need direct control over C<perl_parse> and C<perl_run>, in 1131Sometimes you need direct control over C<perl_parse> and C<perl_run>, in
642which case you do not want to use C<staticperl_init> but call them on your 1132which case you do not want to use C<staticperl_init> but call them on your
643own. 1133own.
644 1134
645Then you need this function - either pass it directly as the C<xs_init> 1135Then you need this function - either pass it directly as the C<xs_init>
646function to C<perl_parse>, or call it from your own C<xs_init> function. 1136function to C<perl_parse>, or call it as one of the first things from your
647 1137own C<xs_init> function.
648=item staticperl_cleanup ()
649
650In the unlikely case that you want to destroy the perl interpreter, here
651is the corresponding function.
652 1138
653=item PerlInterpreter *staticperl 1139=item PerlInterpreter *staticperl
654 1140
655The perl interpreter pointer used by staticperl. Not normally so useful, 1141The perl interpreter pointer used by staticperl. Not normally so useful,
656but there it is. 1142but there it is.
669 1155
670=back 1156=back
671 1157
672=head1 RUNTIME FUNCTIONALITY 1158=head1 RUNTIME FUNCTIONALITY
673 1159
674Binaries created with C<mkbundle>/C<mkperl> contain extra functions, which 1160Binaries created with C<mkbundle>/C<mkperl> contain extra functionality,
675are required to access the bundled perl sources, but might be useful for 1161mostly related to the extra files bundled in the binary (the virtual
676other purposes. 1162filesystem). All of this data is statically compiled into the binary, and
1163accessing means copying it from a read-only section of your binary. Data
1164pages in this way is usually freed by the operating system, as it isn't
1165use more the onace.
1166
1167=head2 VIRTUAL FILESYSTEM
1168
1169Every bundle has a virtual filesystem. The only information stored in it
1170is the path and contents of each file that was bundled.
1171
1172=head3 LAYOUT
1173
1174Any path starting with an ampersand (F<&>) or exclamation mark (F<!>) are
1175reserved by F<staticperl>. They must only be used as described in this
1176section.
1177
1178=over 4
1179
1180=item !
1181
1182All files that typically cannot be loaded from memory (such as dynamic
1183objects or shared libraries), but have to reside in the filesystem, are
1184prefixed with F<!>. Typically these files get written out to some
1185(semi-)temporary directory shortly after program startup, or before being
1186used.
1187
1188=item !boot
1189
1190The bootstrap file, if specified during bundling.
1191
1192=item !auto/
1193
1194Shared objects or dlls corresponding to dynamically-linked perl extensions
1195are stored with an F<!auto/> prefix.
1196
1197=item !lib/
1198
1199External shared libraries are stored in this directory.
1200
1201=item any letter
1202
1203Any path starting with a letter is a perl library file. For example,
1204F<Coro/AIO.pm> corresponds to the file loaded by C<use Coro::AIO>, and
1205F<Coro/jit.pl> corresponds to C<require "Coro/jit.pl">.
1206
1207Obviously, module names shouldn't start with any other characters than
1208letters :)
1209
1210=back
1211
1212=head3 FUNCTIONS
1213
1214=over 4
1215
1216=item $file = static::find $path
1217
1218Returns the data associated with the given C<$path>
1219(e.g. C<Digest/MD5.pm>, C<auto/POSIX/autosplit.ix>).
1220
1221Returns C<undef> if the file isn't embedded.
1222
1223=item @paths = static::list
1224
1225Returns the list of all paths embedded in this binary.
1226
1227=back
1228
1229=head2 EXTRA FEATURES
677 1230
678In addition, for the embedded loading of perl files to work, F<staticperl> 1231In addition, for the embedded loading of perl files to work, F<staticperl>
679overrides the C<@INC> array. 1232overrides the C<@INC> array.
680 1233
681=over 4
682
683=item $file = staticperl::find $path
684
685Returns the data associated with the given C<$path>
686(e.g. C<Digest/MD5.pm>, C<auto/POSIX/autosplit.ix>), which is basically
687the UNIX path relative to the perl library directory.
688
689Returns C<undef> if the file isn't embedded.
690
691=item @paths = staticperl::list
692
693Returns the list of all paths embedded in this binary.
694
695=back
696
697=head1 FULLY STATIC BINARIES - BUILDROOT 1234=head1 FULLY STATIC BINARIES - UCLIBC AND BUILDROOT
698 1235
699To make truly static (Linux-) libraries, you might want to have a look at 1236To make truly static (Linux-) libraries, you might want to have a look at
700buildroot (L<http://buildroot.uclibc.org/>). 1237buildroot (L<http://buildroot.uclibc.org/>).
701 1238
702Buildroot is primarily meant to set up a cross-compile environment (which 1239Buildroot is primarily meant to set up a cross-compile environment (which
709good experiences with GCC 4.4.x but not GCC 4.5. 1246good experiences with GCC 4.4.x but not GCC 4.5.
710 1247
711To minimise code size, I used C<-pipe -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections 1248To minimise code size, I used C<-pipe -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections
712-finline-limit=8 -fno-builtin-strlen -mtune=i386>. The C<-mtune=i386> 1249-finline-limit=8 -fno-builtin-strlen -mtune=i386>. The C<-mtune=i386>
713doesn't decrease codesize much, but it makes the file much more 1250doesn't decrease codesize much, but it makes the file much more
714compressible. 1251compressible (and the execution a lot slower...).
715 1252
716If you don't need Coro or threads, you can go with "linuxthreads.old" (or 1253If you don't need Coro or threads, you can go with "linuxthreads.old" (or
717no thread support). For Coro, it is highly recommended to switch to a 1254no thread support). For Coro, it is highly recommended to switch to a
718uClibc newer than 0.9.31 (at the time of this writing, I used the 20101201 1255uClibc newer than 0.9.31 (at the time of this writing, I used the 20101201
719snapshot) and enable NPTL, otherwise Coro needs to be configured with the 1256snapshot) and enable NPTL, otherwise Coro needs to be configured with the
721twice the address space needed for stacks). 1258twice the address space needed for stacks).
722 1259
723If you use C<linuxthreads.old>, then you should also be aware that 1260If you use C<linuxthreads.old>, then you should also be aware that
724uClibc shares C<errno> between all threads when statically linking. See 1261uClibc shares C<errno> between all threads when statically linking. See
725L<http://lists.uclibc.org/pipermail/uclibc/2010-June/044157.html> for a 1262L<http://lists.uclibc.org/pipermail/uclibc/2010-June/044157.html> for a
726workaround (And L<https://bugs.uclibc.org/2089> for discussion). 1263workaround (and L<https://bugs.uclibc.org/2089> for discussion).
727 1264
728C<ccache> support is also recommended, especially if you want 1265C<ccache> support is also recommended, especially if you want
729to play around with buildroot options. Enabling the C<miniperl> 1266to play around with buildroot options. Enabling the C<miniperl>
730package will probably enable all options required for a successful 1267package will probably enable all options required for a successful
731perl build. F<staticperl> itself additionally needs either C<wget> 1268perl build. F<staticperl> itself additionally needs either C<wget>
739it from working properly in a chroot - either use dash (and link it to 1276it from working properly in a chroot - either use dash (and link it to
740F</bin/sh> inside the chroot) or link busybox to F</bin/sh>, using it's 1277F</bin/sh> inside the chroot) or link busybox to F</bin/sh>, using it's
741built-in ash shell. 1278built-in ash shell.
742 1279
743Finally, you need F</dev/null> inside the chroot for many scripts to work 1280Finally, you need F</dev/null> inside the chroot for many scripts to work
744- F<cp /dev/null output/target/dev> or bind-mounting your F</dev> will 1281- either F<cp /dev/null output/target/dev> or bind-mounting your F</dev>
745both provide this. 1282will provide this.
746 1283
747After you have compiled and set up your buildroot target, you can copy 1284After you have compiled and set up your buildroot target, you can copy
748F<staticperl> from the C<App::Staticperl> distribution or from your 1285F<staticperl> from the C<App::Staticperl> distribution or from your
749perl f<bin> directory (if you installed it) into the F<output/target> 1286perl F<bin> directory (if you installed it) into the F<output/target>
750filesystem, chroot inside and run it. 1287filesystem, chroot inside and run it.
1288
1289=head1 RECIPES / SPECIFIC MODULES
1290
1291This section contains some common(?) recipes and information about
1292problems with some common modules or perl constructs that require extra
1293files to be included.
1294
1295=head2 MODULES
1296
1297=over 4
1298
1299=item utf8
1300
1301Some functionality in the utf8 module, such as swash handling (used
1302for unicode character ranges in regexes) is implemented in the
1303C<"utf8_heavy.pl"> library:
1304
1305 -Mutf8_heavy.pl
1306
1307Many Unicode properties in turn are defined in separate modules,
1308such as C<"unicore/Heavy.pl"> and more specific data tables such as
1309C<"unicore/To/Digit.pl"> or C<"unicore/lib/Perl/Word.pl">. These tables
1310are big (7MB uncompressed, although F<staticperl> contains special
1311handling for those files), so including them on demand by your application
1312only might pay off.
1313
1314To simply include the whole unicode database, use:
1315
1316 --incglob '/unicore/**.pl'
1317
1318=item AnyEvent
1319
1320AnyEvent needs a backend implementation that it will load in a delayed
1321fashion. The L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> backend is the default choice
1322for AnyEvent if it can't find anything else, and is usually a safe
1323fallback. If you plan to use e.g. L<EV> (L<POE>...), then you need to
1324include the L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV> (L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>...) backend as
1325well.
1326
1327If you want to handle IRIs or IDNs (L<AnyEvent::Util> punycode and idn
1328functions), you also need to include C<"AnyEvent/Util/idna.pl"> and
1329C<"AnyEvent/Util/uts46data.pl">.
1330
1331Or you can use C<--usepacklists> and specify C<-MAnyEvent> to include
1332everything.
1333
1334=item Cairo
1335
1336See Glib, same problem, same solution.
1337
1338=item Carp
1339
1340Carp had (in older versions of perl) a dependency on L<Carp::Heavy>. As of
1341perl 5.12.2 (maybe earlier), this dependency no longer exists.
1342
1343=item Config
1344
1345The F<perl -V> switch (as well as many modules) needs L<Config>, which in
1346turn might need L<"Config_heavy.pl">. Including the latter gives you
1347both.
1348
1349=item Glib
1350
1351Glib literally requires Glib to be installed already to build - it tries
1352to fake this by running Glib out of the build directory before being
1353built. F<staticperl> tries to work around this by forcing C<MAN1PODS> and
1354C<MAN3PODS> to be empty via the C<PERL_MM_OPT> environment variable.
1355
1356=item Gtk2
1357
1358See Pango, same problems, same solution.
1359
1360=item Net::SSLeay
1361
1362This module hasn't been significantly updated since OpenSSL is called
1363OpenSSL, and fails to properly link against dependent libraries, most
1364commonly, it forgets to specify -ldl when linking.
1365
1366On GNU/Linux systems this usually goes undetected, as perl usually links
1367against -ldl itself and OpenSSL just happens to pick it up that way, by
1368chance.
1369
1370For static builds, you either have to configure -ldl manually, or you
1371cna use the following snippet in your C<postinstall> hook which patches
1372Net::SSLeay after installation, which happens to work most of the time:
1373
1374 postinstall() {
1375 # first install it
1376 instcpan Net::SSLeay
1377 # then add -ldl for future linking
1378 chmod u+w "$PERL_PREFIX"/lib/auto/Net/SSLeay/extralibs.ld
1379 echo " -ldl" >>"$PERL_PREFIX"/lib/auto/Net/SSLeay/extralibs.ld
1380 }
1381
1382=item Pango
1383
1384In addition to the C<MAN3PODS> problem in Glib, Pango also routes around
1385L<ExtUtils::MakeMaker> by compiling its files on its own. F<staticperl>
1386tries to patch L<ExtUtils::MM_Unix> to route around Pango.
1387
1388=item Term::ReadLine::Perl
1389
1390Also needs L<Term::ReadLine::readline>, or C<--usepacklists>.
1391
1392=item URI
1393
1394URI implements schemes as separate modules - the generic URL scheme is
1395implemented in L<URI::_generic>, HTTP is implemented in L<URI::http>. If
1396you need to use any of these schemes, you should include these manually,
1397or use C<--usepacklists>.
1398
1399=back
1400
1401=head2 RECIPES
1402
1403=over 4
1404
1405=item Just link everything in
1406
1407To link just about everything installed in the perl library into a new
1408perl, try this (the first time this runs it will take a long time, as a
1409lot of files need to be parsed):
1410
1411 staticperl mkperl -v --strip ppi --incglob '*'
1412
1413If you don't mind the extra megabytes, this can be a very effective way of
1414creating bundles without having to worry about forgetting any modules.
1415
1416You get even more useful variants of this method by first selecting
1417everything, and then excluding stuff you are reasonable sure not to need -
1418L<bigperl|http://staticperl.schmorp.de/bigperl.html> uses this approach.
1419
1420=item Getting rid of netdb functions
1421
1422The perl core has lots of netdb functions (C<getnetbyname>, C<getgrent>
1423and so on) that few applications use. You can avoid compiling them in by
1424putting the following fragment into a C<preconfigure> hook:
1425
1426 preconfigure() {
1427 for sym in \
1428 d_getgrnam_r d_endgrent d_endgrent_r d_endhent \
1429 d_endhostent_r d_endnent d_endnetent_r d_endpent \
1430 d_endprotoent_r d_endpwent d_endpwent_r d_endsent \
1431 d_endservent_r d_getgrent d_getgrent_r d_getgrgid_r \
1432 d_getgrnam_r d_gethbyaddr d_gethent d_getsbyport \
1433 d_gethostbyaddr_r d_gethostbyname_r d_gethostent_r \
1434 d_getlogin_r d_getnbyaddr d_getnbyname d_getnent \
1435 d_getnetbyaddr_r d_getnetbyname_r d_getnetent_r \
1436 d_getpent d_getpbyname d_getpbynumber d_getprotobyname_r \
1437 d_getprotobynumber_r d_getprotoent_r d_getpwent \
1438 d_getpwent_r d_getpwnam_r d_getpwuid_r d_getsent \
1439 d_getservbyname_r d_getservbyport_r d_getservent_r \
1440 d_getspnam_r d_getsbyname
1441 # d_gethbyname
1442 do
1443 PERL_CONFIGURE="$PERL_CONFIGURE -U$sym"
1444 done
1445 }
1446
1447This mostly gains space when linking statically, as the functions will
1448likely not be linked in. The gain for dynamically-linked binaries is
1449smaller.
1450
1451Also, this leaves C<gethostbyname> in - not only is it actually used
1452often, the L<Socket> module also exposes it, so leaving it out usually
1453gains little. Why Socket exposes a C function that is in the core already
1454is anybody's guess.
1455
1456=back
751 1457
752=head1 AUTHOR 1458=head1 AUTHOR
753 1459
754 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1460 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
755 http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/staticperl.html 1461 http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/staticperl.html

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