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[feature request] Improve Windows Support: Shift to MSYS2 Mingw-w64 and Enhance Distribution #494

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Foadsf opened this issue Jul 16, 2024 · 1 comment
Open

[feature request] Improve Windows Support: Shift to MSYS2 Mingw-w64 and Enhance Distribution #494

Foadsf opened this issue Jul 16, 2024 · 1 comment
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build enhancement MSYS2 packaging windows

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@Foadsf
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Foadsf commented Jul 16, 2024

Background

Currently, Elmer development emphasizes WSL2 for Windows users. However, this approach has limitations:

  1. WSL2 requires Hyper-V, which is unavailable on Windows Home editions.
  2. Legacy WSL, while available to Home users, is deprecated and no longer supported.
  3. Many users, especially in work environments, lack the privileges to use Hyper-V or either of the WSL versions.

Proposal

To improve accessibility and ease of use for Windows users, I propose the following changes:

  1. Shift towards MSYS2 Mingw-w64: This environment is:

    • Fully FLOSS (Free/Libre Open Source Software)
    • Available to all Windows OS users
    • Usable without admin rights
    • Can be installed portably

  2. Add MSYS2 Mingw-w64 to GitHub Actions: This will ensure consistent building and testing on Windows platforms.

  3. Use CPack for Windows packaging: Package Elmer for Windows and release it directly on GitHub, replacing the separate FTP distribution.

  4. Maintain package manager distributions: Actively maintain and update packages for:

    • Chocolatey
    • PortableApps

Benefits

  • Wider accessibility for Windows users
  • Simplified installation process
  • Consistent development and distribution workflow
  • Improved portability

Next Steps

  1. Investigate the feasibility of MSYS2 Mingw-w64 integration
  2. Set up GitHub Actions workflow for MSYS2 Mingw-w64
  3. Develop CPack configuration for Windows packaging
  4. Establish processes for maintaining Chocolatey and PortableApps packages

Discussion

I welcome thoughts and feedback from the Elmer development team and community on this proposal.
Foadsf added a commit that referenced this issue Jul 16, 2024
@Foadsf
Add MSYS2 Mingw-w64 job to GitHub Actions workflow
997dd25 
- Create new 'windows-mingw' job in build.yaml
- Set up MSYS2 environment using msys2/setup-msys2 action
- Install necessary packages including MinGW-w64 GCC, Fortran, CMake
- Configure build with MSYS Makefiles generator
- Build and run quick tests

This change improves Windows support by enabling builds with MSYS2 Mingw-w64,
making Elmer more accessible to Windows users without WSL or admin rights.

relevant to #494
@Foadsf Foadsf mentioned this issue Jul 16, 2024
Closed
@Foadsf Foadsf linked a pull request Jul 16, 2024 that will close this issue
Add MSYS2 Mingw-w64 job to GitHub Actions workflow #495
Closed
Foadsf added a commit that referenced this issue Jul 16, 2024
@Foadsf
Update MSYS2 job in GitHub Actions workflow
8b0e6b6 
- Remove unavailable mingw-w64-x86_64-openmpi package
- Disable MPI in CMake configuration

This change allows the MSYS2 Mingw-w64 build to proceed without
errors, though it disables MPI support. Future work may be needed
to re-enable MPI using an alternative package or build method.

relevant to #494
@Foadsf Foadsf mentioned this issue Jul 16, 2024
Closed
Foadsf added a commit that referenced this issue Jul 16, 2024
@Foadsf
fixes #495 (comment)
851b1d4 
related to:
* #494
* #482
@raback
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raback commented Aug 5, 2024

All "quick" tests now pass on github actions.

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build enhancement MSYS2 packaging windows
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Add MSYS2 Mingw-w64 job to GitHub Actions workflow ElmerCSC/elmerfem
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@raback @Foadsf