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[Major Feature] Cross-compilation for Windows from Linux #162

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opened 2025-12-29 03:54:01 +00:00 by john · 1 comment
john commented 2025-12-29 03:54:01 +00:00
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Summary

Currently building Windows releases requires booting a Windows machine. This friction discourages frequent releases and slows iteration.

Goal

Enable cross-compilation from Linux to produce Windows executables, eliminating the need for a Windows development environment.

Approach Options

  1. MinGW-w64 Cross Compiler

    • x86_64-w64-mingw32-g++ toolchain
    • May need to cross-compile SFML and dependencies
    • Proven approach used by many projects

  2. Docker-based Windows Build

    • Container with Wine + MSVC or MinGW
    • Reproducible build environment
    • Could integrate with CI

  3. Zig as Cross-Compiler

    • zig cc can target Windows from Linux
    • Handles libc differences automatically
    • Newer approach, less proven for complex projects

Dependencies to Cross-Compile

  • SFML (graphics, audio, windowing)
  • Python 3.12 (embedded interpreter)
  • libtcod (roguelike utilities)

Success Criteria

  • make windows from Linux produces working .exe
  • AppImage and Windows zip can be built from same Linux machine
  • No Windows boot required for releases

Notes

The 7DRL 2025 release shipped both AppImage (Linux) and Windows zip, proving both targets work. The goal is just to build both from one environment.

Related

  • Packaging variants issue (light vs full stdlib)
  • Release automation
## Summary Currently building Windows releases requires booting a Windows machine. This friction discourages frequent releases and slows iteration. ## Goal Enable cross-compilation from Linux to produce Windows executables, eliminating the need for a Windows development environment. ## Approach Options 1. **MinGW-w64 Cross Compiler** - `x86_64-w64-mingw32-g++` toolchain - May need to cross-compile SFML and dependencies - Proven approach used by many projects 2. **Docker-based Windows Build** - Container with Wine + MSVC or MinGW - Reproducible build environment - Could integrate with CI 3. **Zig as Cross-Compiler** - `zig cc` can target Windows from Linux - Handles libc differences automatically - Newer approach, less proven for complex projects ## Dependencies to Cross-Compile - SFML (graphics, audio, windowing) - Python 3.12 (embedded interpreter) - libtcod (roguelike utilities) ## Success Criteria - `make windows` from Linux produces working .exe - AppImage and Windows zip can be built from same Linux machine - No Windows boot required for releases ## Notes The 7DRL 2025 release shipped both AppImage (Linux) and Windows zip, proving both targets work. The goal is just to build both from one environment. ## Related - Packaging variants issue (light vs full stdlib) - Release automation
john closed this issue 2026-01-09 02:16:32 +00:00
john commented 2026-01-09 03:01:39 +00:00
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Summary of Windows cross-compilation fixes:

File Change
deps/platform/windows/platform.h __PLATFORM_SET_PYTHON_SEARCH_PATHS changed from 0 to 1
src/McRFPy_API.cpp Added #include , replaced PyRun_SimpleFile with std::ifstream + PyRun_SimpleString
src/main.cpp Replaced PyRun_SimpleFile with std::ifstream + PyRun_SimpleString, removed debug statements
CMakeLists.txt Added -include for PC/pyconfig.h, added Py_PYCONFIG_H define, added MCRF_WINDOWS_CONSOLE option
Makefile Added windows-debug target

Key technical issues resolved:

  1. PyRun_SimpleFile hangs with MinGW-compiled code - fixed with std::ifstream + PyRun_SimpleString
  2. MS_WINDOWS not defined (pyconfig.h include guard mismatch) - fixed with -include flag
  3. Python module search paths not set on Windows - fixed by enabling __PLATFORM_SET_PYTHON_SEARCH_PATHS
Summary of Windows cross-compilation fixes: | File | Change | |----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | deps/platform/windows/platform.h | __PLATFORM_SET_PYTHON_SEARCH_PATHS changed from 0 to 1 | | src/McRFPy_API.cpp | Added #include <fstream>, replaced PyRun_SimpleFile with std::ifstream + PyRun_SimpleString | | src/main.cpp | Replaced PyRun_SimpleFile with std::ifstream + PyRun_SimpleString, removed debug statements | | CMakeLists.txt | Added -include for PC/pyconfig.h, added Py_PYCONFIG_H define, added MCRF_WINDOWS_CONSOLE option | | Makefile | Added windows-debug target | Key technical issues resolved: 1. PyRun_SimpleFile hangs with MinGW-compiled code - fixed with std::ifstream + PyRun_SimpleString 2. MS_WINDOWS not defined (pyconfig.h include guard mismatch) - fixed with -include flag 3. Python module search paths not set on Windows - fixed by enabling __PLATFORM_SET_PYTHON_SEARCH_PATHS
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Alpha Release Requirement

This issue is a blocker to 0.1 Alpha release of McRogueFace.

  
Bugfix

   
Demo Target

Functionality to demonstrate; Depends on new features, but this issue isn't for writing them.

  
Documentation

   
Major Feature

Significant time and effort required.

  
Minor Feature

Some effort required to create or overhaul functionality.

  
priority:tier1-active

Current development focus - critical path to v1.0

  
priority:tier2-foundation

Important foundation work - not blocking v1.0

  
priority:tier3-future

Future features - deferred until after v1.0

  
priority:tier4-deferred

   
Refactoring & Cleanup

no new functionality, just improving the codebase.

  
system:animation

Animation and property interpolation

  
system:documentation

Documentation infrastructure

  
system:grid

Grid system and spatial containers

  
system:input

Input handling and events

  
system:performance

Performance optimization and profiling

  
system:procgen

Procedural Generation (Noise, BSP, Heightmap)

  
system:python-binding

Python/C++ binding layer

  
system:rendering

Rendering pipeline and visuals

  
system:ui-hierarchy

UI component hierarchy and composition

  
Tiny Feature

quick and easy - a few lines or with little interconnection around the codebase

  
workflow:blocked

Blocked by other work - waiting on dependencies

  
workflow:needs-benchmark

Needs performance testing and benchmarks

  
workflow:needs-documentation

Needs documentation before or after implementation

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priority:tier1-active
priority:tier2-foundation
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system:documentation
system:grid
system:input
system:performance
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#163 [Minor Feature] Packaging variants: light vs batteries-included
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john/McRogueFace#162
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