1 .. Copyright David Abrahams 2006. Distributed under the Boost
2 .. Software License, Version 1.0. (See accompanying
3 .. file LICENSE_1_0.txt or copy at http://www.boost.org/LICENSE_1_0.txt)
8 The first thing many people want to know is, “how do I build
9 Boost?” The good news is that often, there's nothing to build.
11 .. admonition:: Nothing to Build?
13 Most Boost libraries are **header-only**: they consist *entirely
14 of header files* containing templates and inline functions, and
15 require no separately-compiled library binaries or special
16 treatment when linking.
20 The only Boost libraries that *must* be built separately are:
25 * Boost.GraphParallel_
28 * Boost.Log_ (see `build documentation`__)
30 * Boost.ProgramOptions_
31 * Boost.Python_ (see the `Boost.Python build documentation`__
32 before building and installing it)
34 * Boost.Serialization_
39 __ ../../libs/log/doc/html/log/installation/config.html
40 __ ../../libs/python/doc/html/building.html
42 A few libraries have optional separately-compiled binaries:
44 * Boost.DateTime_ has a binary component that is only needed if
45 you're using its ``to_string``\ /\ ``from_string`` or serialization
46 features, or if you're targeting Visual C++ 6.x or Borland.
48 * Boost.Graph_ also has a binary component that is only needed if
49 you intend to `parse GraphViz files`__.
51 * Boost.Math_ has binary components for the TR1 and C99
54 * Boost.Random_ has a binary component which is only needed if
55 you're using ``random_device``.
57 * Boost.Test_ can be used in “header-only” or “separately compiled”
58 mode, although **separate compilation is recommended for serious
61 * Boost.Exception_ provides non-intrusive implementation of
62 exception_ptr for 32-bit _MSC_VER==1310 and _MSC_VER==1400
63 which requires a separately-compiled binary. This is enabled by
64 #define BOOST_ENABLE_NON_INTRUSIVE_EXCEPTION_PTR.
66 * Boost.System_ is header-only since Boost 1.69. A stub library is
67 still built for compatibility, but linking to it is no longer
70 __ ../../libs/graph/doc/read_graphviz.html