What is the best way to access binaries outside of the standard MacPort path

[Ryan Schmidt]

On Oct 13, 2017, at 03:56, Joël Brogniart wrote:

> I maintain two local ports for tools that use Latex (dblatex and auto-multiple-choice). These tools could either use Latex from MacPorts' TexLive or another Latex installation so they have a variant for a non Macports Latex.
> 
> For these tool be used with Latex, some parts should be installed in the Latex hierarchy. There is no problem with MacPorts installation of TexLive, but with an external installation, the install phase should access to tools (mktexlsr and mtxrun) that are not in the MacPorts path.
> 
> For now, I modify the binpath variable in the macports.conf file to add the path for the binaries of the external latex installation.

Last I heard, this is what we recommend. Add the external LaTeX installation's path to binpath. Ports that use LaTeX binaries should declare their dependencies on the appropriate texlive port using the "bin:<binaryname>:" prefix instead of the "port:" prefix so that if an external LaTeX is installed, the corresponding MacPorts texlive port won't get installed.


> As there is a community of users of theses tools, I put online instructions for the installation <https://project.auto-multiple-choice.net/projects/auto-multiple-choice/wiki/Installing_AMC_development_version_on_macOS_with_a_non_MacPorts_LaTeX_installation> (instruction are to be updated).
> 
> Another option would be to link the external binaries in the Macports hierarchy.
> 
> What do you think is the best solution, modifying the binpath variable or add links to the MacPorts hierarchy? Or are there better alternatives?
> 
> I have another question. I could submit new version of these ports to MacPorts with default variant working with TexLive installation of MacPorts and a -latex variant not depending on a MacPorts TexLive installation. That would greatly improve the installation process and instructions. But the -latex variant may require hacks from users who want to install it. Is this acceptable for a port?
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