[MacPorts] #60987: meson: not finding pkg-config when building universal when using cross-files

[MacPorts]

#60987: meson: not finding pkg-config when building universal when using cross-
files
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  Reporter:  kencu           |      Owner:  (none)
      Type:  defect          |     Status:  new
  Priority:  Normal          |  Milestone:
 Component:  ports           |    Version:
Resolution:                  |   Keywords:
      Port:  meson graphene  |
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Comment (by ryandesign):

 Replying to [comment:4 Gcenx]:
 > I believe this should be handled by macports-base, when pkgconfig is set
 as a build dependence base should then add {{{PKG_CONFIG=${prefix}/bin
 /pkg-config}}} to the environment.

 I don't think there is any other situation where MacPorts base modifies
 the environment in response to a dependency being added or removed, so
 this would be an entirely new feature to add to MacPorts base, and I'm not
 convinced it's necessary or the correct solution, given that MacPorts has
 survived for 18 years without it.

 If meson uniquely among all build systems needs to be told where pkg-
 config can be found, then the meson portgroup can do that.

 Replying to [comment:11 kencu]:
 > I will admit I am leaning towards patching meson, as that looks most
 like what all the other build systems would be expected to work like.

 I would just urge extreme caution with making such changes. MacPorts
 provides ports not just for its own use but also for users to use, and
 users expect programs to work the way their developers intended. It's not
 our place to change how the tool works just to suit the purposes of
 MacPorts builds.

 It is reasonable to open a discussion with the developers of meson,
 explain why this setting is causing us problems, and ask if there is any
 recommended way for us to override the default when doing MacPorts builds
 (it seems likely to me that there would be such a way), or maybe even if
 they want to change the default.

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://trac.macports.org/ticket/60987#comment:16>
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