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author | Daniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org> | 2024-04-28 14:29:10 +0000 |
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committer | Daniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org> | 2024-04-28 14:29:10 +0000 |
commit | 2aa4a82499d4becd2284cdb482213d541b8804dd (patch) | |
tree | b80bf8bf13c3766139fbacc530efd0dd9d54394c /build/docs | |
parent | Initial commit. (diff) | |
download | firefox-upstream.tar.xz firefox-upstream.zip |
Adding upstream version 86.0.1.upstream/86.0.1upstream
Signed-off-by: Daniel Baumann <daniel.baumann@progress-linux.org>
Diffstat (limited to '')
31 files changed, 4421 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/build/docs/build-overview.rst b/build/docs/build-overview.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..a7784e7b1a --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/build-overview.rst @@ -0,0 +1,117 @@ +.. _build_overview: + +===================== +Build System Overview +===================== + +This document provides an overview on how the build system works. It is +targeted at people wanting to learn about internals of the build system. +It is not meant for persons who casually interact with the build system. +That being said, knowledge empowers, so consider reading on. + +The build system is composed of many different components working in +harmony to build the source tree. We begin with a graphic overview. + +.. graphviz:: + + digraph build_components { + rankdir="LR"; + "configure" -> "config.status" -> "build backend" -> "build output" + } + +Phase 1: Configuration +====================== + +Phase 1 centers around the ``configure`` script, which is a bash shell script. +The file is generated from a file called ``configure.in`` which is written in M4 +and processed using Autoconf 2.13 to create the final configure script. +You don't have to worry about how you obtain a ``configure`` file: the build +system does this for you. + +The primary job of ``configure`` is to determine characteristics of the system +and compiler, apply options passed into it, and validate everything looks OK to +build. The primary output of the ``configure`` script is an executable file +in the object directory called ``config.status``. ``configure`` also produces +some additional files (like ``autoconf.mk``). However, the most important file +in terms of architecture is ``config.status``. + +The existence of a ``config.status`` file may be familiar to those who have worked +with Autoconf before. However, Mozilla's ``config.status`` is different from almost +any other ``config.status`` you've ever seen: it's written in Python! Instead of +having our ``configure`` script produce a shell script, we have it generating +Python. + +Now is as good a time as any to mention that Python is prevalent in our build +system. If we need to write code for the build system, we do it in Python. +That's just how we roll. For more, see :ref:`python`. + +``config.status`` contains 2 parts: data structures representing the output of +``configure`` and a command-line interface for preparing/configuring/generating +an appropriate build backend. (A build backend is merely a tool used to build +the tree - like GNU Make or Tup). These data structures essentially describe +the current state of the system and what the existing build configuration looks +like. For example, it defines which compiler to use, how to invoke it, which +application features are enabled, etc. You are encouraged to open up +``config.status`` to have a look for yourself! + +Once we have emitted a ``config.status`` file, we pass into the realm of +phase 2. + +Phase 2: Build Backend Preparation and the Build Definition +=========================================================== + +Once ``configure`` has determined what the current build configuration is, +we need to apply this to the source tree so we can actually build. + +What essentially happens is the automatically-produced ``config.status`` Python +script is executed as soon as ``configure`` has generated it. ``config.status`` +is charged with the task of tell a tool how to build the tree. To do this, +``config.status`` must first scan the build system definition. + +The build system definition consists of various ``moz.build`` files in the tree. +There is roughly one ``moz.build`` file per directory or per set of related directories. +Each ``moz.build`` files defines how its part of the build config works. For +example it says *I want these C++ files compiled* or *look for additional +information in these directories.* config.status starts with the ``moz.build`` +file from the root directory and then descends into referenced ``moz.build`` +files by following ``DIRS`` variables or similar. + +As the ``moz.build`` files are read, data structures describing the overall +build system definition are emitted. These data structures are then fed into a +build backend, which then performs actions, such as writing out files to +be read by a build tool. e.g. a ``make`` backend will write a +``Makefile``. + +When ``config.status`` runs, you'll see the following output:: + + Reticulating splines... + Finished reading 1096 moz.build files into 1276 descriptors in 2.40s + Backend executed in 2.39s + 2188 total backend files. 0 created; 1 updated; 2187 unchanged + Total wall time: 5.03s; CPU time: 3.79s; Efficiency: 75% + +What this is saying is that a total of *1096* ``moz.build`` files were read. +Altogether, *1276* data structures describing the build configuration were +derived from them. It took *2.40s* wall time to just read these files and +produce the data structures. The *1276* data structures were fed into the +build backend which then determined it had to manage *2188* files derived +from those data structures. Most of them already existed and didn't need +changed. However, *1* was updated as a result of the new configuration. +The whole process took *5.03s*. Although, only *3.79s* was in +CPU time. That likely means we spent roughly *25%* of the time waiting on +I/O. + +For more on how ``moz.build`` files work, see :ref:`mozbuild-files`. + +Phase 3: Invocation of the Build Backend +======================================== + +When most people think of the build system, they think of phase 3. This is +where we take all the code in the tree and produce Firefox or whatever +application you are creating. Phase 3 effectively takes whatever was +generated by phase 2 and runs it. Since the dawn of Mozilla, this has been +make consuming Makefiles. However, with the transition to moz.build files, +you may soon see non-Make build backends, such as Tup or Visual Studio. + +When building the tree, most of the time is spent in phase 3. This is when +header files are installed, C++ files are compiled, files are preprocessed, etc. diff --git a/build/docs/build-targets.rst b/build/docs/build-targets.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..dacd46c7f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/build-targets.rst @@ -0,0 +1,62 @@ +.. _build_targets: + +============= +Build Targets +============= + +When you build with ``mach build``, there are some special targets that can be +built. This page attempts to document them. + +Partial Tree Targets +==================== + +The targets in this section only build part of the tree. Please note that +partial tree builds can be unreliable. Use at your own risk. + +export + Build the *export* tier. The *export* tier builds everything that is + required for C/C++ compilation. It stages all header files, processes + IDLs, etc. + +compile + Build the *compile* tier. The *compile* tier compiles all C/C++ files. + +libs + Build the *libs* tier. The *libs* tier performs linking and performs + most build steps which aren't related to compilation. + +tools + Build the *tools* tier. The *tools* tier mostly deals with supplementary + tools and compiled tests. It will link tools against libXUL, including + compiled test binaries. + +binaries: + Recompiles and relinks C/C++ files. Only works after a complete normal + build, but allows for much faster rebuilds of C/C++ code. For performance + reasons, however, it skips nss, nspr, icu and ffi. This is targeted to + improve local developer workflow when touching C/C++ code. + +install-manifests + Process install manifests. Install manifests handle the installation of + files into the object directory. + + Unless ``NO_REMOVE=1`` is defined in the environment, files not accounted + in the install manifests will be deleted from the object directory. + +install-tests + Processes the tests install manifest. + +Common Actions +============== + +The targets in this section correspond to common build-related actions. Many +of the actions in this section are effectively frontends to shell scripts. +These actions will likely all be replaced by mach commands someday. + +buildsymbols + Create a symbols archive for the current build. + + This must be performed after a successful build. + +check + Run build system tests. diff --git a/build/docs/cppeclipse.rst b/build/docs/cppeclipse.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..1604b16ca2 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/cppeclipse.rst @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +.. _build_cppeclipse: + +===================== +Cpp Eclipse Projects +===================== + +For additional information on using Eclipse CDT see +`the MDN page +<https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Eclipse_CDT>`_. + +The build system contains alpha support for generating C++ Eclipse +project files to aid with development. + +Please report bugs to bugzilla and make them depend on bug 973770. + +To generate a C++ Eclipse project files, you'll need to have a fully +built tree:: + + mach build + +Then, simply generate the C++ Eclipse build backend:: + + mach build-backend -b CppEclipse + +If all goes well, the path to the generated workspace should be +printed. + +To use the generated C++ Eclipse project files, you'll need to +have a Eclipse CDT 8.3 (We plan to follow the latest Eclipse release) +`Eclipse CDT plugin +<https://www.eclipse.org/cdt/>`_ +installed. You can then import all the projects into Eclipse using +*File > Import ... > General > Existing Projects into Workspace* +-only- if you have not ran the background indexer. + +Updating Project Files +====================== + +As you pull and update the source tree, your C++ Eclipse files may +fall out of sync with the build configuration. The tree should still +build fine from within Eclipse, but source files may be missing and in +rare circumstances Eclipse's index may not have the proper build +configuration. + +To account for this, you'll want to periodically regenerate the +C++ Eclipse project files. You can do this by running ``mach build +&& mach build-backend -b CppEclipse`` from the +command line. + +Currently, regeneration rewrites the original project files. **If +you've made any customizations to the projects, they will likely get +overwritten.** We would like to improve this user experience in the +future. + diff --git a/build/docs/defining-binaries.rst b/build/docs/defining-binaries.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..fdac27e26a --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/defining-binaries.rst @@ -0,0 +1,345 @@ +.. _defining_binaries: + +====================================== +Defining Binaries for the Build System +====================================== + +One part of what the build system does is compile C/C++ and link the resulting +objects to produce executables and/or libraries. This document describes the +basics of defining what is going to be built and how. All the following +describes constructs to use in moz.build files. + + +Source files +============ + +Source files to be used in a given directory are registered in the ``SOURCES`` +and ``UNIFIED_SOURCES`` variables. ``UNIFIED_SOURCES`` have a special behavior +in that they are aggregated by batches of 16, requiring, for example, that there +are no conflicting variables in those source files. + +``SOURCES`` and ``UNIFIED_SOURCES`` are lists which must be appended to, and +each append requires the given list to be alphanumerically ordered. + +.. code-block:: python + + UNIFIED_SOURCES += [ + 'FirstSource.cpp', + 'SecondSource.cpp', + 'ThirdSource.cpp', + ] + + SOURCES += [ + 'OtherSource.cpp', + ] + +``SOURCES`` and ``UNIFIED_SOURCES`` can contain a mix of different file types, +for C, C++, and Objective C. + + +Static Libraries +================ + +To build a static library, other than defining the source files (see above), one +just needs to define a library name with the ``Library`` template. + +.. code-block:: python + + Library('foo') + +The library file name will be ``libfoo.a`` on UNIX systems and ``foo.lib`` on +Windows. + +If the static library needs to aggregate other static libraries, a list of +``Library`` names can be added to the ``USE_LIBS`` variable. Like ``SOURCES``, it +requires the appended list to be alphanumerically ordered. + +.. code-block:: python + + USE_LIBS += ['bar', 'baz'] + +If there are multiple directories containing the same ``Library`` name, it is +possible to disambiguate by prefixing with the path to the wanted one (relative +or absolute): + +.. code-block:: python + + USE_LIBS += [ + '/path/from/topsrcdir/to/bar', + '../relative/baz', + ] + +Note that the leaf name in those paths is the ``Library`` name, not an actual +file name. + +Note that currently, the build system may not create an actual library for +static libraries. It is an implementation detail that shouldn't need to be +worried about. + +As a special rule, ``USE_LIBS`` is allowed to contain references to shared +libraries. In such cases, programs and shared libraries linking this static +library will inherit those shared library dependencies. + + +Intermediate (Static) Libraries +=============================== + +In many cases in the tree, static libraries are built with the only purpose +of being linked into another, bigger one (like libxul). Instead of adding all +required libraries to ``USE_LIBS`` for the bigger one, it is possible to tell +the build system that the library built in the current directory is meant to +be linked to that bigger library, with the ``FINAL_LIBRARY`` variable. + +.. code-block:: python + + FINAL_LIBRARY = 'xul' + +The ``FINAL_LIBRARY`` value must match a unique ``Library`` name somewhere +in the tree. + +As a special rule, those intermediate libraries don't need a ``Library`` name +for themselves. + + +Shared Libraries +================ + +Sometimes, we want shared libraries, a.k.a. dynamic libraries. Such libraries +are defined similarly to static libraries, using the ``SharedLibrary`` template +instead of ``Library``. + +.. code-block:: python + + SharedLibrary('foo') + +When this template is used, no static library is built. See further below to +build both types of libraries. + +With a ``SharedLibrary`` name of ``foo``, the library file name will be +``libfoo.dylib`` on OSX, ``libfoo.so`` on ELF systems (Linux, etc.), and +``foo.dll`` on Windows. On Windows, there is also an import library named +``foo.lib``, used on the linker command line. ``libfoo.dylib`` and +``libfoo.so`` are considered the import library name for, resp. OSX and ELF +systems. + +On OSX, one may want to create a special kind of dynamic library: frameworks. +This is done with the ``Framework`` template. + +.. code-block:: python + + Framework('foo') + +With a ``Framework`` name of ``foo``, the framework file name will be ``foo``. +This template however affects the behavior on all platforms, so it needs to +be set only on OSX. + + +Executables +=========== + +Executables, a.k.a. programs, are, in the simplest form, defined with the +``Program`` template. + +.. code-block:: python + + Program('foobar') + +On UNIX systems, the executable file name will be ``foobar``, while on Windows, +it will be ``foobar.exe``. + +Like static and shared libraries, the build system can be instructed to link +libraries to the executable with ``USE_LIBS``, listing various ``Library`` +names. + +In some cases, we want to create an executable per source file in the current +directory, in which case we can use the ``SimplePrograms`` template + +.. code-block:: python + + SimplePrograms([ + 'FirstProgram', + 'SecondProgram', + ]) + +Contrary to ``Program``, which requires corresponding ``SOURCES``, when using +``SimplePrograms``, the corresponding ``SOURCES`` are implied. If the +corresponding ``sources`` have an extension different from ``.cpp``, it is +possible to specify the proper extension: + +.. code-block:: python + + SimplePrograms([ + 'ThirdProgram', + 'FourthProgram', + ], ext='.c') + +Please note this construct was added for compatibility with what already lives +in the mozilla tree ; it is recommended not to add new simple programs with +sources with a different extension than ``.cpp``. + +Similar to ``SimplePrograms``, is the ``CppUnitTests`` template, which defines, +with the same rules, C++ unit tests programs. Like ``SimplePrograms``, it takes +an ``ext`` argument to specify the extension for the corresponding ``SOURCES``, +if it's different from ``.cpp``. + + +Linking with system libraries +============================= + +Programs and libraries usually need to link with system libraries, such as a +widget toolkit, etc. Those required dependencies can be given with the +``OS_LIBS`` variable. + +.. code-block:: python + + OS_LIBS += [ + 'foo', + 'bar', + ] + +This expands to ``foo.lib bar.lib`` when building with MSVC, and +``-lfoo -lbar`` otherwise. + +For convenience with ``pkg-config``, ``OS_LIBS`` can also take linker flags +such as ``-L/some/path`` and ``-llib``, such that it is possible to directly +assign ``LIBS`` variables from ``CONFIG``, such as: + +.. code-block:: python + + OS_LIBS += CONFIG['MOZ_PANGO_LIBS'] + +(assuming ``CONFIG['MOZ_PANGO_LIBS']`` is a list, not a string) + +Like ``USE_LIBS``, this variable applies to static and shared libraries, as +well as programs. + + +Libraries from third party build system +======================================= + +Some libraries in the tree are not built by the moz.build-governed build +system, and there is no ``Library`` corresponding to them. + +However, ``USE_LIBS`` allows to reference such libraries by giving a full +path (like when disambiguating identical ``Library`` names). The same naming +rules apply as other uses of ``USE_LIBS``, so only the library name without +prefix and suffix shall be given. + +.. code-block:: python + + USE_LIBS += [ + '/path/from/topsrcdir/to/third-party/bar', + '../relative/third-party/baz', + ] + +Note that ``/path/from/topsrcdir/to/third-party`` and +``../relative/third-party/baz`` must lead under a subconfigured directory (a +directory with an AC_OUTPUT_SUBDIRS in configure.in), or ``security/nss``. + + +Building both static and shared libraries +========================================= + +When both types of libraries are required, one needs to set both +``FORCE_SHARED_LIB`` and ``FORCE_STATIC_LIB`` boolean variables. + +.. code-block:: python + + FORCE_SHARED_LIB = True + FORCE_STATIC_LIB = True + +But because static libraries and Windows import libraries have the same file +names, either the static or the shared library name needs to be different +than the name given to the ``Library`` template. + +The ``STATIC_LIBRARY_NAME`` and ``SHARED_LIBRARY_NAME`` variables can be used +to change either the static or the shared library name. + +.. code-block:: python + + Library('foo') + STATIC_LIBRARY_NAME = 'foo_s' + +With the above, on Windows, ``foo_s.lib`` will be the static library, +``foo.dll`` the shared library, and ``foo.lib`` the import library. + +In some cases, for convenience, it is possible to set both +``STATIC_LIBRARY_NAME`` and ``SHARED_LIBRARY_NAME``. For example: + +.. code-block:: python + + Library('mylib') + STATIC_LIBRARY_NAME = 'mylib_s' + SHARED_LIBRARY_NAME = CONFIG['SHARED_NAME'] + +This allows to use ``mylib`` in the ``USE_LIBS`` of another library or +executable. + +When referring to a ``Library`` name building both types of libraries in +``USE_LIBS``, the shared library is chosen to be linked. But sometimes, +it is wanted to link the static version, in which case the ``Library`` name +needs to be prefixed with ``static:`` in ``USE_LIBS`` + +:: + + a/moz.build: + Library('mylib') + FORCE_SHARED_LIB = True + FORCE_STATIC_LIB = True + STATIC_LIBRARY_NAME = 'mylib_s' + b/moz.build: + Program('myprog') + USE_LIBS += [ + 'static:mylib', + ] + + +Miscellaneous +============= + +The ``SONAME`` variable declares a "shared object name" for the library. It +defaults to the ``Library`` name or the ``SHARED_LIBRARY_NAME`` if set. When +linking to a library with a ``SONAME``, the resulting library or program will +have a dependency on the library with the name corresponding to the ``SONAME`` +instead of the ``Library`` name. This only impacts ELF systems. + +:: + + a/moz.build: + Library('mylib') + b/moz.build: + Library('otherlib') + SONAME = 'foo' + c/moz.build: + Program('myprog') + USE_LIBS += [ + 'mylib', + 'otherlib', + ] + +On e.g. Linux, the above ``myprog`` will have DT_NEEDED markers for +``libmylib.so`` and ``libfoo.so`` instead of ``libmylib.so`` and +``libotherlib.so`` if there weren't a ``SONAME``. This means the runtime +requirement for ``myprog`` is ``libfoo.so`` instead of ``libotherlib.so``. + + +Gecko-related binaries +====================== + +Some programs or libraries are totally independent of Gecko, and can use the +above mentioned templates. Others are Gecko-related in some way, and may +need XPCOM linkage, mozglue. These things are tedious. A set of additional +templates exists to ease defining such programs and libraries. They are +essentially the same as the above mentioned templates, prefixed with "Gecko": + + - ``GeckoProgram`` + - ``GeckoSimplePrograms`` + - ``GeckoCppUnitTests`` + - ``GeckoSharedLibrary`` + - ``GeckoFramework`` + +All the Gecko-prefixed templates take the same arguments as their +non-Gecko-prefixed counterparts, and can take a few more arguments +for non-standard cases. See the definition of ``GeckoBinary`` in +build/gecko_templates.mozbuild for more details, but most usecases +should not require these additional arguments. diff --git a/build/docs/defining-xpcom-components.rst b/build/docs/defining-xpcom-components.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..e5735c5af9 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/defining-xpcom-components.rst @@ -0,0 +1,305 @@ +.. _defining_xpcom_components: + +========================================= +Defining XPCOM C++-implemented Components +========================================= + +Native XPCOM components are registered at build time, and compiled into static +data structures which allow them to be accessed with little runtime overhead. +Each module which wishes to register components must provide a manifest +describing each component it implements, its type, and how it should be +constructed. + +Manifest files are Python data files registered in ``moz.build`` files in a +``XPCOM_MANIFESTS`` file list: + +.. code-block:: python + + XPCOM_MANIFESTS += [ + 'components.conf', + ] + +The files may define any of the following special variables: + +.. code-block:: python + + # Optional: A function to be called once, the first time any component + # listed in this manifest is instantiated. + InitFunc = 'nsInitFooModule' + # Optional: A function to be called at shutdown if any component listed in + # this manifest has been instantiated. + UnloadFunc = 'nsUnloadFooModule' + + # Optional: A processing priority, to determine how early or late the + # manifest is processed. Defaults to 50. In practice, this mainly affects + # the order in which unload functions are called at shutdown, with higher + # priority numbers being called later. + Priority = 10 + + # Optional: A list of header files to include before calling init or + # unload functions, or any legacy constructor functions. + # + # Any header path beginning with a `/` is loaded relative to the root of + # the source tree, and must not rely on any local includes. + # + # Any relative header path must be exported. + Headers = [ + '/foo/nsFooModule.h', + 'nsFoo.h', + ] + + # A list of component classes provided by this module. + Classes = [ + { + # ... + }, + # ... + ] + + # A list of category registrations + Categories = { + 'category': { + 'name': 'value', + 'other-name': ('value', ProcessSelector.MAIN_PROCESS_ONLY), + # ... + }, + # ... + } + +Class definitions may have the following properties: + +``name`` (optional) + If present, this component will generate an entry with the given name in the + ``mozilla::components`` namespace in ``mozilla/Components.h``, which gives + easy access to its CID, service, and instance constructors as (e.g.,) + ``components::Foo::CID()``, ``components::Foo::Service()``, and + ``components::Foo::Create()``, respectively. + +``cid`` + A UUID string containing this component's CID, in the form + ``'{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}'``. + +``contract_ids`` (optional) + A list of contract IDs to register for this class. + +``categories`` (optional) + A dict of category entries to register for this component's contract ID. + Each key in the dict is the name of the category. Each value is either a + string containing a single entry name, or a list of entry name strings. + +``type`` (optional, default=``nsISupports``) + The fully-qualified type of the class implementing this component. Defaults + to ``nsISupports``, but **must** be provided if the ``init_method`` property + is specified, or if neither the ``constructor`` nor ``legacy_constructor`` + properties are provided. + +``headers`` (optional) + A list of headers to include in order to call this component's constructor, + in the same format as the global ``Headers`` property. + +``init_method`` (optional) + The name of a method to call on newly-created instances of this class before + returning them. The method must take no arguments, and must return a + ``nsresult``. If it returns failure, that failure is propagated to the + ``getService`` or ``createInstance`` caller. + +``constructor`` (optional) + The fully-qualified name of a constructor function to call in order to + create instances of this class. This function must be declared in one of the + headers listed in the ``headers`` property, must take no arguments, and must + return ``already_AddRefed<iface>`` where ``iface`` is the interface provided + in the ``type`` property. + + This property is incompatible with ``legacy_constructor``. + +``jsm`` (optional) + If provided, must be the URL of a JavaScript module which contains a + JavaScript implementation of the component. The ``constructor`` property + must contain the name of an exported function which can be constructed to + create a new instance of the component. + +``legacy_constructor`` (optional) + This property is deprecated, and should not be used in new code. + + The fully-qualified name of a constructor function to call in order to + create instances of this class. This function must be declared in one of the + headers listed in the ``headers`` property, and must have the signature + ``nsresult(nsISupports* aOuter, const nsID& aIID, void** aResult)``, and + behave equivalently to ``nsIFactory::CreateInstance``. + + This property is incompatible with ``constructor``. + +``singleton`` (optional, default=``False``) + If true, this component's constructor is expected to return the same + singleton for every call, and no ``mozilla::components::<name>::Create()`` + method will be generated for it. + +``overridable`` (optional, default=``False``) + If true, this component's contract ID is expected to be overridden by some + tests, and its ``mozilla::components::<name>::Service()`` getter will + therefore look it up by contract ID for every call. This component must, + therefore, provide at least one contract ID in its ``contract_ids`` array. + + If false, the ``Service()`` getter will always retrieve the service based on + its static data, and it cannot be overridden. + + Note: Enabling this option is expensive, and should not be done when it can + be avoided, or when the getter is used by any hot code. + +``external`` (optional, default=``False`` if any ``headers`` are provided, ``True`` otherwise) + If true, a constructor for this component's ``type`` must be defined in + another translation unit, using ``NS_IMPL_COMPONENT_FACTORY(type)``. The + constructor must return an ``already_AddRefed<nsISupports>``, and will be + used to construct instances of this type. + + This option should only be used in cases where the headers which define the + component's concrete type cannot be easily included without local includes. + + Note: External constructors may not specify an ``init_method``, since the + generated code will not have the necessary type information required to call + it. This option is also incompatible with ``constructor`` and + ``legacy_constructor``. + +``processes`` (optional, default=``ProcessSelector.ANY_PROCESS``) + An optional specifier restricting which types of process this component may + be loaded in. This must be a property of ``ProcessSelector`` with the same + name as one of the values in the ``Module::ProcessSelector`` enum. + + +Conditional Compilation +======================= + +This manifest may run any appropriate Python code to customize the values of +the ``Classes`` array based on build configuration. To simplify this process, +the following globals are available: + +``defined`` + A function which returns true if the given build config setting is defined + and true. + +``buildconfig`` + The ``buildconfig`` python module, with a ``substs`` property containing a + dict of all available build substitutions. + + +Component Constructors +====================== + +There are several ways to define component constructors, which vary mostly +depending on how old the code that uses them is: + +Class Constructors +------------------ + +This simplest way to define a component is to include a header defining a +concrete type, and let the component manager call that class's constructor: + +.. code-block:: python + + 'type': 'mozilla::foo::Foo', + 'headers': ['mozilla/Foo.h'], + +This is generally the preferred method of defining non-singleton constructors, +but may not be practicable for classes which rely on local includes for their +definitions. + +Singleton Constructors +---------------------- + +Singleton classes are generally expected to provide their own constructor +function which caches a singleton instance the first time it is called, and +returns the same instance on subsequent calls. This requires declaring the +constructor in an included header, and implementing it in a separate source +file: + +.. code-block:: python + + 'type': 'mozilla::foo::Foo', + 'headers': ['mozilla/Foo.h'], + 'constructor': 'mozilla::Foo::GetSingleton', + +``Foo.h`` + +.. code-block:: c++ + + class Foo final : public nsISupports { + public: + static already_AddRefed<Foo> GetSingleton(); + }; + +``Foo.cpp`` + +.. code-block:: c++ + + already_AddRefed<Foo> Foo::GetSingleton() { + // ... + } + +External Constructors +--------------------- + +For types whose headers can't easily be included, constructors can be defined +using a template specialization on an incomplete type: + +.. code-block:: python + + 'type': 'mozilla::foo::Foo', + 'external: True,' + +``Foo.cpp`` + +.. code-block:: c++ + + NS_IMPL_COMPONENT_FACTORY(Foo) { + return do_AddRef(new Foo()).downcast<nsISupports>(); + } + +Legacy Constructors +------------------- + +These should not be used in new code, and are left as an exercise for the +reader. + + +Registering Categories +====================== + +Classes which need define category entries with the same value as their +contract ID may do so using the following: + +.. code-block:: python + + 'contract_ids': ['@mozilla.org/foo;1'], + 'categories': { + 'content-policy': 'm-foo', + 'Gecko-Content-Viewers': ['image/jpeg', 'image/png'], + }, + +This will define each of the following category entries: + +* ``"content-policy"`` ``"m-foo",`` ``"@mozilla.org/foo;1"`` +* ``"Gecko-Content-Viewers"`` ``"image/jpeg"`` ``"@mozilla.org/foo;1"`` +* ``"Gecko-Content-Viewers"`` ``"image/png"`` ``"@mozilla.org/foo;1"`` + +Some category entries do not have a contract ID as a value. These entries can +be specified by adding to a global ``Categories`` dictionary: + +.. code-block:: python + + Categories = { + 'app-startup': { + 'Mapi Support': 'service,@mozilla.org/mapisupport;1', + } + } + +It is possible to limit these on a per-process basis by using a tuple as the +value: + +.. code-block:: python + + Categories = { + 'app-startup': { + 'MainProcessSingleton': ('service,@mozilla.org/main-process-singleton;1', ProcessSelector.MAIN_PROCESS_ONLY), + } + } + diff --git a/build/docs/environment-variables.rst b/build/docs/environment-variables.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..c463391596 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/environment-variables.rst @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +.. _environment_variables: + +================================================ +Environment Variables Impacting the Build System +================================================ + +Various environment variables have an impact on the behavior of the +build system. This document attempts to document them. + +AUTOCLOBBER + If defines, the build system will automatically clobber as needed. + The default behavior is to print a message and error out when a + clobber is needed. + + This variable is typically defined in a :ref:`mozconfig <mozconfig>` + file via ``mk_add_options``. + +REBUILD_CHECK + If defined, the build system will print information about why + certain files were rebuilt. + + This feature is disabled by default because it makes the build slower. + +MACH_NO_TERMINAL_FOOTER + If defined, the terminal footer displayed when building with mach in + a TTY is disabled. + +MACH_NO_WRITE_TIMES + If defined, mach commands will not prefix output lines with the + elapsed time since program start. This option is equivalent to + passing ``--log-no-times`` to mach. diff --git a/build/docs/files-metadata.rst b/build/docs/files-metadata.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..6a7290c55e --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/files-metadata.rst @@ -0,0 +1,178 @@ +.. _mozbuild_files_metadata: + +============== +Files Metadata +============== + +:ref:`mozbuild-files` provide a mechanism for attaching metadata to +files. Essentially, you define some flags to set on a file or file +pattern. Later, some tool or process queries for metadata attached to a +file of interest and it does something intelligent with that data. + +Defining Metadata +================= + +Files metadata is defined by using the +:ref:`Files Sub-Context <mozbuild_subcontext_Files>` in ``moz.build`` +files. e.g.:: + + with Files('**/Makefile.in'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Firefox Build System', 'General') + +This working example says, *for all Makefile.in files in every directory +underneath this one - including this directory - set the Bugzilla +component to Firefox Build System :: General*. + +For more info, read the +:ref:`docs on Files <mozbuild_subcontext_Files>`. + +How Metadata is Read +==================== + +``Files`` metadata is extracted in :ref:`mozbuild_fs_reading_mode`. + +Reading starts by specifying a set of files whose metadata you are +interested in. For each file, the filesystem is walked to the root +of the source directory. Any ``moz.build`` encountered during this +walking are marked as relevant to the file. + +Let's say you have the following filesystem content:: + + /moz.build + /root_file + /dir1/moz.build + /dir1/foo + /dir1/subdir1/foo + /dir2/foo + +For ``/root_file``, the relevant ``moz.build`` files are just +``/moz.build``. + +For ``/dir1/foo`` and ``/dir1/subdir1/foo``, the relevant files are +``/moz.build`` and ``/dir1/moz.build``. + +For ``/dir2``, the relevant file is just ``/moz.build``. + +Once the list of relevant ``moz.build`` files is obtained, each +``moz.build`` file is evaluated. Root ``moz.build`` file first, +leaf-most files last. This follows the rules of +:ref:`mozbuild_fs_reading_mode`, with the set of evaluated ``moz.build`` +files being controlled by filesystem content, not ``DIRS`` variables. + +The file whose metadata is being resolved maps to a set of ``moz.build`` +files which in turn evaluates to a list of contexts. For file metadata, +we only care about one of these contexts: +:ref:`Files <mozbuild_subcontext_Files>`. + +We start with an empty ``Files`` instance to represent the file. As +we encounter a *files sub-context*, we see if it is appropriate to +this file. If it is, we apply its values. This process is repeated +until all *files sub-contexts* have been applied or skipped. The final +state of the ``Files`` instance is used to represent the metadata for +this particular file. + +It may help to visualize this. Say we have 2 ``moz.build`` files:: + + # /moz.build + with Files('*.cpp'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Core', 'XPCOM') + + with Files('**/*.js'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Firefox', 'General') + + # /foo/moz.build + with Files('*.js'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Another', 'Component') + +Querying for metadata for the file ``/foo/test.js`` will reveal 3 +relevant ``Files`` sub-contexts. They are evaluated as follows: + +1. ``/moz.build - Files('*.cpp')``. Does ``/*.cpp`` match + ``/foo/test.js``? **No**. Ignore this context. +2. ``/moz.build - Files('**/*.js')``. Does ``/**/*.js`` match + ``/foo/test.js``? **Yes**. Apply ``BUG_COMPONENT = ('Firefox', 'General')`` + to us. +3. ``/foo/moz.build - Files('*.js')``. Does ``/foo/*.js`` match + ``/foo/test.js``? **Yes**. Apply + ``BUG_COMPONENT = ('Another', 'Component')``. + +At the end of execution, we have +``BUG_COMPONENT = ('Another', 'Component')`` as the metadata for +``/foo/test.js``. + +One way to look at file metadata is as a stack of data structures. +Each ``Files`` sub-context relevant to a given file is applied on top +of the previous state, starting from an empty state. The final state +wins. + +.. _mozbuild_files_metadata_finalizing: + +Finalizing Values +================= + +The default behavior of ``Files`` sub-context evaluation is to apply new +values on top of old. In most circumstances, this results in desired +behavior. However, there are circumstances where this may not be +desired. There is thus a mechanism to *finalize* or *freeze* values. + +Finalizing values is useful for scenarios where you want to prevent +wildcard matches from overwriting previously-set values. This is useful +for one-off files. + +Let's take ``Makefile.in`` files as an example. The build system module +policy dictates that ``Makefile.in`` files are part of the ``Build +Config`` module and should be reviewed by peers of that module. However, +there exist ``Makefile.in`` files in many directories in the source +tree. Without finalization, a ``*`` or ``**`` wildcard matching rule +would match ``Makefile.in`` files and overwrite their metadata. + +Finalizing of values is performed by setting the ``FINAL`` variable +on ``Files`` sub-contexts. See the +:ref:`Files documentation <mozbuild_subcontext_Files>` for more. + +Here is an example with ``Makefile.in`` files, showing how it is +possible to finalize the ``BUG_COMPONENT`` value.:: + + # /moz.build + with Files('**/Makefile.in'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Firefox Build System', 'General') + FINAL = True + + # /foo/moz.build + with Files('**'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Another', 'Component') + +If we query for metadata of ``/foo/Makefile.in``, both ``Files`` +sub-contexts match the file pattern. However, since ``BUG_COMPONENT`` is +marked as finalized by ``/moz.build``, the assignment from +``/foo/moz.build`` is ignored. The final value for ``BUG_COMPONENT`` +is ``('Firefox Build System', 'General')``. + +Here is another example:: + + with Files('*.cpp'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('One-Off', 'For C++') + FINAL = True + + with Files('**'): + BUG_COMPONENT = ('Regular', 'Component') + +For every files except ``foo.cpp``, the bug component will be resolved +as ``Regular :: Component``. However, ``foo.cpp`` has its value of +``One-Off :: For C++`` preserved because it is finalized. + +.. important:: + + ``FINAL`` only applied to variables defined in a context. + + If you want to mark one variable as finalized but want to leave + another mutable, you'll need to use 2 ``Files`` contexts. + +Guidelines for Defining Metadata +================================ + +In general, values defined towards the root of the source tree are +generic and become more specific towards the leaves. For example, +the ``BUG_COMPONENT`` for ``/browser`` might be ``Firefox :: General`` +whereas ``/browser/components/preferences`` would list +``Firefox :: Preferences``. diff --git a/build/docs/glossary.rst b/build/docs/glossary.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..d610f07443 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/glossary.rst @@ -0,0 +1,47 @@ +Build Glossary +============== + +.. glossary:: + :sorted: + + object directory + A directory holding the output of the build system. The build + system attempts to isolate all file modifications to this + directory. By convention, object directories are commonly + directories under the source directory prefixed with **obj-**. + e.g. **obj-firefox**. + + mozconfig + A shell script used to configure the build system. + + configure + A generated shell script which detects the current system + environment, applies a requested set of build configuration + options, and writes out metadata to be consumed by the build + system. + + config.status + An executable file produced by **configure** that takes the + generated build config and writes out files used to build the + tree. Traditionally, config.status writes out a bunch of + Makefiles. + + install manifest + A file containing metadata describing file installation rules. + A large part of the build system consists of copying files + around to appropriate places. We write out special files + describing the set of required operations so we can process the + actions efficiently. These files are install manifests. + + clobber build + A build performed with an initially empty object directory. All + build actions must be performed. + + incremental build + A build performed with the result of a previous build in an + object directory. The build should not have to work as hard because + it will be able to reuse the work from previous builds. + + mozinfo + An API for accessing a common and limited subset of the build and + run-time configuration. See :ref:`mozinfo`. diff --git a/build/docs/gn.rst b/build/docs/gn.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..bf5ad8509c --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/gn.rst @@ -0,0 +1,52 @@ +.. _gn: + +============================== +GN support in the build system +============================== + +:abbr:`GN (Generated Ninja)` is a third-party build tool used by chromium and +some related projects that are vendored in mozilla-central. Rather than +requiring ``GN`` to build or writing our own build definitions for these projects, +we have support in the build system for translating GN configuration +files into moz.build files. In most cases these moz.build files will be like any +others in the tree (except that they shouldn't be modified by hand), however +those updating vendored code or building on platforms not supported by +Mozilla automation may need to re-generate these files. This is a two-step +process, described below. + +Generating GN configs as JSON +============================= + +The first step must take place on a machine with access to the ``GN`` tool, which +is specified in a mozconfig with:: + + export GN=<path/to/gn> + +With this specified, and the tree configured, run:: + + $ ./mach build-backend -b GnConfigGen + +This will run ``gn gen`` on projects found in ``GN_DIRS`` specified in moz.build +files, injecting variables from the current build configuration and specifying +the result be written to a JSON file in ``$objdir/gn-output``. The file will +have a name derived from the arguments passed to ``gn gen``, for instance +``x64_False_x64_linux.json``. + +If updating upstream sources or vendoring a new project, this step must be +performed for each supported build configuration. If adding support for a +specific configuration, the generated configuration may be added to existing +configs before re-generating the ``moz.build`` files, which should be found under +the ``gn-configs`` directory under the vendored project's top-level directory. + +Generating moz.build files from GN JSON configs +=============================================== + +Once the relevant JSON configs are present under a project's ``gn-configs`` +directory, run:: + + $ ./mach build-backend -b GnMozbuildWriter + +This will combine the configuration files present into a set of moz.build files +that will build the given project. Once the result is verified, the resulting +moz.build files should be checked in and should build like any other part of +mozilla-central. diff --git a/build/docs/index.rst b/build/docs/index.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..f2692605ba --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/index.rst @@ -0,0 +1,57 @@ +============ +Build System +============ + +Important Concepts +================== +.. toctree:: + :maxdepth: 1 + + glossary + build-overview + supported-configurations + Mozconfig Files <mozconfigs> + mozbuild-files + mozbuild-symbols + files-metadata + Profile Guided Optimization <pgo> + slow + environment-variables + build-targets + python + test_manifests + mozinfo + preprocessor + jar-manifests + defining-binaries + defining-xpcom-components + toolchains + locales + unified-builds + rust + sparse + Support for projects building with GN <gn> + telemetry + sccache-dist + test_certificates + +integrated development environment (IDE) +======================================== +.. toctree:: + :maxdepth: 1 + + ../../contributing/vscode + androideclipse + cppeclipse + visualstudio + +mozbuild +======== + +mozbuild is a Python package containing a lot of the code for the +Mozilla build system. + +.. toctree:: + :maxdepth: 1 + + mozbuild/index diff --git a/build/docs/jar-manifests.rst b/build/docs/jar-manifests.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..946026fe86 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/jar-manifests.rst @@ -0,0 +1,97 @@ +.. _jar_manifests: + +============= +JAR Manifests +============= + +JAR Manifests are plaintext files in the tree that are used to package chrome +files into the correct JARs, and create +`Chrome Registration <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Chrome_Registration>`_ +manifests. JAR Manifests are commonly named ``jar.mn``. They are +declared in ``moz.build`` files using the ``JAR_MANIFESTS`` variable. + +``jar.mn`` files are automatically processed by the build system when building a +source directory that contains one. The ``jar``.mn is run through the +:ref:`preprocessor` before being passed to the manifest processor. In order to +have ``@variables@`` expanded (such as ``@AB_CD@``) throughout the file, add +the line ``#filter substitution`` at the top of your ``jar.mn`` file. + +The format of a jar.mn is fairly simple; it consists of a heading specifying +which JAR file is being packaged, followed by indented lines listing files and +chrome registration instructions. + +To see a simple ``jar.mn`` file at work, see ``toolkit/profile/jar.mn``. A much +more complex ``jar.mn`` is at ``toolkit/locales/jar.mn``. + +Shipping Chrome Files +===================== + +To ship chrome files in a JAR, an indented line indicates a file to be packaged:: + + <jarfile>.jar: + path/in/jar/file_name.xul (source/tree/location/file_name.xul) + +The JAR location may be preceded with a base path between square brackets:: + [base/path] <jarfile>.jar: + path/in/jar/file_name.xul (source/tree/location/file_name.xul) + +In this case, the jar will be directly located under the given ``base/path``, +while without a base path, it will be under a ``chrome`` directory. + +If the JAR manifest and packaged file live in the same directory, the path and +parenthesis can be omitted. In other words, the following two lines are +equivalent:: + + path/in/jar/same_place.xhtml (same_place.xhtml) + path/in/jar/same_place.xhtml + +The source tree location may also be an *absolute* path (taken from the +top of the source tree:: + + path/in/jar/file_name.xul (/path/in/sourcetree/file_name.xul) + +An asterisk marker (``*``) at the beginning of the line indicates that the +file should be processed by the :ref:`preprocessor` before being packaged:: + + * path/in/jar/preprocessed.xul (source/tree/location/file_name.xul) + +Preprocessed files always replace existing files, to ensure that changes in +``#expand`` or ``#include`` directives are picked up. + +There is a special source-directory format for localized files (note the +percent sign in the source file location): this format reads ``localized.dtd`` +from the ``en-US`` directory if building an English version, and reads the +file from the alternate localization source tree +``/l10n/<locale>/path/localized.dtd`` if building a localized version:: + + locale/path/localized.dtd (%localized/path/localized.dtd) + +The source tree location can also use wildcards, in which case the path in +jar is expected to be a base directory. Paths before the wildcard are not +made part of the destination path:: + + path/in/jar/ (source/tree/location/*.xul) + +The above will install all xul files under ``source/tree/location`` as +``path/in/jar/*.xul``. + +Register Chrome +=============== + +`Chrome Registration <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Chrome_Registration>`_ +instructions are marked with a percent sign (``%``) at the beginning of the +line, and must be part of the definition of a JAR file. Any additional percents +signs are replaced with an appropriate relative URL of the JAR file being +packaged:: + + % content global %path/in/jar/ + % overlay chrome://blah/content/blah.xul chrome://foo/content/overlay.xul + +There are two possible locations for a manifest file. If the chrome is being +built into a standalone application, the ``jar.mn`` processor creates a +``<jarfilename>.manifest`` next to the JAR file itself. This is the default +behavior. + +If the build specifies ``USE_EXTENSION_MANIFEST = 1``, the ``jar.mn`` processor +creates a single ``chrome.manifest`` file suitable for registering chrome as +an extension. diff --git a/build/docs/locales.rst b/build/docs/locales.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..cde26e30fe --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/locales.rst @@ -0,0 +1,331 @@ +.. _localization: + +================ +Localized Builds +================ + +Localization repacks +==================== + +To save on build time, the build system and automation collaborate to allow +downloading a packaged en-US Firefox, performing some locale-specific +post-processing, and re-packaging a locale-specific Firefox. Such artifacts +are termed "single-locale language repacks". There is another concept of a +"multi-locale language build", which is more like a regular build and less +like a re-packaging post-processing step. + +.. note:: + + These builds rely on make targets that don't work for + `artifact builds <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1387485>`_. + +Instructions for single-locale repacks for developers +----------------------------------------------------- + +This assumes that ``$AB_CD`` is the locale you want to repack with; you +find the available localizations on `l10n-central <https://hg.mozilla.org/l10n-central/>`_. + +#. You must have a built and packaged object directory, or a pre-built + ``en-US`` package. + + .. code-block:: shell + + ./mach build + ./mach package + +#. Repackage using the locale-specific changes. + + .. code-block:: shell + + ./mach build installers-$AB_CD + +You should find a re-packaged build at ``OBJDIR/dist/``, and a +runnable binary in ``OBJDIR/dist/l10n-stage/``. +The ``installers`` target runs quite a few things for you, including getting +the repository for the requested locale from +https://hg.mozilla.org/l10n-central/. It will clone them into +``~/.mozbuild/l10n-central``. If you have an existing repository there, you +may want to occasionally update that via ``hg pull -u``. If you prefer +to have the l10n repositories at a different location on your disk, you +can point to the directory via + + .. code-block:: shell + + ac_add_options --with-l10n-base=/make/this/a/absolute/path + +This build also packages a language pack. + +Instructions for language packs +------------------------------- + +Language packs are extensions that contain just the localized resources. Building +them doesn't require an actual build, but they're only compatible with the +``mozilla-central`` source they're built with. + + +.. code-block:: shell + + ./mach build langpack-$AB_CD + +This target shares much of the logic of the ``installers-$AB_CD`` target above, +and does the check-out of the localization repository etc. It doesn't require +a package or a build, though. The generated language pack is in +``OBJDIR/dist/$(MOZ_PKG_PLATFORM)/xpi/``. + +.. note:: + + Despite the platform-dependent location in the build directory, language packs + are platform independent, and the content that goes into them needs to be + built in a platform-independent way. + +Instructions for multi-locale builds +------------------------------------ + +If you want to create a single build with multiple locales, you will do + +#. Create a build and package + + .. code-block:: shell + + ./mach build + ./mach package + +#. For each locale you want to include in the build: + + .. code-block:: shell + + export MOZ_CHROME_MULTILOCALE="de it zh-TW" + for AB_CD in $MOZ_CHROME_MULTILOCALE; do + ./mach build chrome-$AB_CD + done + +#. Create the multilingual package: + + .. code-block:: shell + + AB_CD=multi ./mach package + +General flow of repacks +----------------------- + +The general flow of the locale repacks is controlled by +``$MOZ_BUILD_APP/locales/Makefile.in`` and ``toolkit/locales/l10n.mk``, plus +the packaging build system. The three main entry points above all trigger +related build flows: + +#. Get the localization repository, if needed +#. Run l10n-merge with a prior clobber of the merge dir +#. Copy l10n files to ``dist``, with minor differences here between ``l10n-%`` and ``chrome-%`` +#. Repackage and package + +Details on l10n-merge are described in its own section below. +The copying of files is mainly controlled by ``jar.mn``, in the few source +directories that include localizable files. ``l10n-%`` is used for repacks, +``chrome-%`` for multi-locale packages. The repackaging is dedicated +Python code in ``toolkit/mozapps/installer/l10n-repack.py``, using an existing +package. It strips existing ``chrome`` l10n resources, and adds localizations +and metadata. + +Language packs don't require repackaging. The windows installers are generated +by merely packaging an existing repackaged zip into to an installer. + +Exposing strings +================ + +The localization flow handles a few file formats in well-known locations in the +source tree. + +Alongside being built by including the directory in ``$MOZ_BUILD_APP/locales/Makefile.in`` +and respective entries in a ``jar.mn``, we also have configuration files tailored +to localization tools and infrastructure. They're also controlling which +files l10n-merge handles, and how. + +These configurations are TOML files. They're part of the bigger +localization ecosystem at Mozilla, and `the documentation about the +file format <http://moz-l10n-config.readthedocs.io/en/latest/fileformat.html>`_ +explains how to set them up, and what the entries mean. In short, you find + +.. code-block:: toml + + [[paths]] + reference = browser/locales/en-US/** + l10n = {l}browser/** + +to add a directory for all localizations. Changes to these files are best +submitted for review by :Pike or :flod. + +These configuration files are the future, and right now, we still have +support for the previous way to configuring l10n, which is described below. + +The locations are commonly in directories like + + :file:`browser/`\ ``locales/en-US/``\ :file:`subdir/file.ext` + +The first thing to note is that only files beneath :file:`locales/en-US` are +exposed to localizers. The second thing to note is that only a few directories +are exposed. Which directories are exposed is defined in files called +``l10n.ini``, which are at a +`few places <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/search?q=path%3Al10n.ini&redirect=true>`_ +in the source code. + +An example looks like this + +.. code-block:: ini + + [general] + depth = ../.. + + [compare] + dirs = browser + browser/branding/official + + [includes] + toolkit = toolkit/locales/l10n.ini + +This tells the l10n infrastructure three things: + +* resolve the paths against the directory two levels up +* include files in :file:`browser/locales/en-US` and + :file:`browser/branding/official/locales/en-US` +* load more data from :file:`toolkit/locales/l10n.ini` + +For projects like Thunderbird and SeaMonkey in ``comm-central``, additional +data needs to be provided when including an ``l10n.ini`` from a different +repository: + +.. code-block:: ini + + [include_toolkit] + type = hg + mozilla = mozilla-central + repo = https://hg.mozilla.org/ + l10n.ini = toolkit/locales/l10n.ini + +This tells the l10n infrastructure where to find the repository, and where inside +that repository the ``l10n.ini`` file is. This is needed because for local +builds, :file:`mail/locales/l10n.ini` references +:file:`mozilla/toolkit/locales/l10n.ini`, which is where the comm-central +build setup expects toolkit to be. + +Now that the directories exposed to l10n are known, we can talk about the +supported file formats. + +File formats +------------ + +The following file formats are known to the l10n tool chains: + +Fluent + Used in Firefox UI, both declarative and programmatically. +DTD + Deprecated. Used in XUL and XHTML. +Properties + Used from JavaScript and C++. When used from js, also comes with + `plural support <https://developer.mozilla.org/docs/Mozilla/Localization/Localization_and_Plurals>`_. +ini + Used by the crashreporter and updater, avoid if possible. +inc + Used during builds, for example to create metadata for + language packs or bookmarks. + +Adding new formats involves changing various different tools, and is strongly +discouraged. + +Exceptions +---------- +Generally, anything that exists in ``en-US`` needs a one-to-one mapping in +all localizations. There are a few cases where that's not wanted, notably +around locale configuration and locale-dependent metadata. + +For optional strings and files, l10n-merge won't add ``en-US`` content if +the localization doesn't have that content. + +For the TOML files, the +`[[filters]] documentation <https://moz-l10n-config.readthedocs.io/en/latest/fileformat.html#filters>`_ +is a good reference. In short, filters match the localized source code, optionally +a ``key``, and an action. An example like + +.. code-block:: toml + + [[filters]] + path = "{l}browser/defines.inc" + key = "MOZ_LANGPACK_CONTRIBUTORS" + action = "ignore" + +indicates that the ``MOZ_LANGPACK_CONTRIBUTORS`` in ``browser/defines.inc`` +is optional. + +For the legacy ini configuration files, there's a Python module +``filter.py`` next to the main ``l10n.ini``, implementing :py:func:`test`, with the following +signature + +.. code-block:: python + + def test(mod, path, entity = None): + if does_not_matter: + return "ignore" + if show_but_do_not_merge: + return "report" + # default behavior, localizer or build need to do something + return "error" + +For any missing file, this function is called with ``mod`` being +the *module*, and ``path`` being the relative path inside +:file:`locales/en-US`. The module is the top-level dir as referenced in +:file:`l10n.ini`. + +For missing strings, the :py:data:`entity` parameter is the key of the string +in the en-US file. + +l10n-merge +========== + +The chrome registry in Gecko doesn't support fallback from a localization to ``en-US`` at runtime. +Thus, the build needs to ensure that the localization as it's built into +the package has all required strings, and that the strings don't contain +errors. To ensure that, we're *merging* the localization and ``en-US`` +at build time, nick-named l10n-merge. + +For Fluent, we're also removing erroneous messages. For many errors in Fluent, +that's cosmetic, but when a localization has different values or attributes +on a message, that's actually important so that the DOM bindings of Fluent +can apply the translation without having to load the ``en-US`` source to +compare against. + +The process can be manually triggered via + +.. code-block:: bash + + $> ./mach build merge-$AB_CD + +It creates another directory in the object dir, :file:`browser/locales/merge-dir/$AB_CD`, in +which the sanitized files are stored. The actual repackaging process only looks +in the merged directory, so the preparation steps of l10n-merge need to ensure +that all files are generated or copied. + +l10n-merge modifies a file if it supports the particular file type, and there +are missing strings which are not filtered out, or if an existing string +shows an error. See the Checks section below for details. If the files are +not modified, l10n-merge copies them over to the respective location in the +merge dir. + +Checks +------ + +As part of the build and other localization tool chains, we run a variety +of source-based checks. Think of them as linters. + +The suite of checks is usually determined by file type, i.e., there's a +suite of checks for DTD files and one for properties files, etc. + +Localizations +------------- + +Now that we talked in-depth about how to expose content to localizers, +where are the localizations? + +We host a mercurial repository per locale. All of our +localizations can be found on https://hg.mozilla.org/l10n-central/. + +You can search inside our localized files on +`Transvision <https://transvision.mozfr.org/>`_. diff --git a/build/docs/mozbuild-files.rst b/build/docs/mozbuild-files.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..9d69404732 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/mozbuild-files.rst @@ -0,0 +1,176 @@ +.. _mozbuild-files: + +=============== +moz.build Files +=============== + +``moz.build`` files are the mechanism by which tree metadata (notably +the build configuration) is defined. + +Directories in the tree contain ``moz.build`` files which declare +functionality for their respective part of the tree. This includes +things such as the list of C++ files to compile, where to find tests, +etc. + +``moz.build`` files are actually Python scripts. However, their +execution is governed by special rules. This is explained below. + +moz.build Python Sandbox +======================== + +As mentioned above, ``moz.build`` files are Python scripts. However, +they are executed in a special Python *sandbox* that significantly +changes and limits the execution environment. The environment is so +different, it's doubtful most ``moz.build`` files would execute without +error if executed by a vanilla Python interpreter (e.g. ``python +moz.build``. + +The following properties make execution of ``moz.build`` files special: + +1. The execution environment exposes a limited subset of Python. +2. There is a special set of global symbols and an enforced naming + convention of symbols. +3. Some symbols are inherited from previously-executed ``moz.build`` + files. + +The limited subset of Python is actually an extremely limited subset. +Only a few symbols from ``__builtin__`` are exposed. These include +``True``, ``False``, ``None``, ``sorted``, ``int``, and ``set``. Global +functions like ``import``, ``print``, and ``open`` aren't available. +Without these, ``moz.build`` files can do very little. *This is by design*. + +The execution sandbox treats all ``UPPERCASE`` variables specially. Any +``UPPERCASE`` variable must be known to the sandbox before the script +executes. Any attempt to read or write to an unknown ``UPPERCASE`` +variable will result in an exception being raised. Furthermore, the +types of all ``UPPERCASE`` variables is strictly enforced. Attempts to +assign an incompatible type to an ``UPPERCASE`` variable will result in +an exception being raised. + +The strictness of behavior with ``UPPERCASE`` variables is a very +intentional design decision. By ensuring strict behavior, any operation +involving an ``UPPERCASE`` variable is guaranteed to have well-defined +side-effects. Previously, when the build configuration was defined in +``Makefiles``, assignments to variables that did nothing would go +unnoticed. ``moz.build`` files fix this problem by eliminating the +potential for false promises. + +After a ``moz.build`` file has completed execution, only the +``UPPERCASE`` variables are used to retrieve state. + +The set of variables and functions available to the Python sandbox is +defined by the :py:mod:`mozbuild.frontend.context` module. The +data structures in this module are consumed by the +:py:class:`mozbuild.frontend.reader.MozbuildSandbox` class to construct +the sandbox. There are tests to ensure that the set of symbols exposed +to an empty sandbox are all defined in the ``context`` module. +This module also contains documentation for each symbol, so nothing can +sneak into the sandbox without being explicitly defined and documented. + +Reading and Traversing moz.build Files +====================================== + +The process for reading ``moz.build`` files roughly consists of: + +1. Start at the root ``moz.build`` (``<topsrcdir>/moz.build``). +2. Evaluate the ``moz.build`` file in a new sandbox. +3. Emit the main *context* and any *sub-contexts* from the executed + sandbox. +4. Extract a set of ``moz.build`` files to execute next. +5. For each additional ``moz.build`` file, goto #2 and repeat until all + referenced files have executed. + +From the perspective of the consumer, the output of reading is a stream +of :py:class:`mozbuild.frontend.reader.context.Context` instances. Each +``Context`` defines a particular aspect of data. Consumers iterate over +these objects and do something with the data inside. Each object is +essentially a dictionary of all the ``UPPERCASE`` variables populated +during its execution. + +.. note:: + + Historically, there was only one ``context`` per ``moz.build`` file. + As the number of things tracked by ``moz.build`` files grew and more + and more complex processing was desired, it was necessary to split these + contexts into multiple logical parts. It is now common to emit + multiple contexts per ``moz.build`` file. + +Build System Reading Mode +------------------------- + +The traditional mode of evaluation of ``moz.build`` files is what's +called *build system traversal mode.* In this mode, the ``CONFIG`` +variable in each ``moz.build`` sandbox is populated from data coming +from ``config.status``, which is produced by ``configure``. + +During evaluation, ``moz.build`` files often make decisions conditional +on the state of the build configuration. e.g. *only compile foo.cpp if +feature X is enabled*. + +In this mode, traversal of ``moz.build`` files is governed by variables +like ``DIRS`` and ``TEST_DIRS``. For example, to execute a child +directory, ``foo``, you would add ``DIRS += ['foo']`` to a ``moz.build`` +file and ``foo/moz.build`` would be evaluated. + +.. _mozbuild_fs_reading_mode: + +Filesystem Reading Mode +----------------------- + +There is an alternative reading mode that doesn't involve the build +system and doesn't use ``DIRS`` variables to control traversal into +child directories. This mode is called *filesystem reading mode*. + +In this reading mode, the ``CONFIG`` variable is a dummy, mostly empty +object. Accessing all but a few special variables will return an empty +value. This means that nearly all ``if CONFIG['FOO']:`` branches will +not be taken. + +Instead of using content from within the evaluated ``moz.build`` +file to drive traversal into subsequent ``moz.build`` files, the set +of files to evaluate is controlled by the thing doing the reading. + +A single ``moz.build`` file is not guaranteed to be executable in +isolation. Instead, we must evaluate all *parent* ``moz.build`` files +first. For example, in order to evaluate ``/foo/moz.build``, one must +execute ``/moz.build`` and have its state influence the execution of +``/foo/moz.build``. + +Filesystem reading mode is utilized to power the +:ref:`mozbuild_files_metadata` feature. + +Technical Details +----------------- + +The code for reading ``moz.build`` files lives in +:py:mod:`mozbuild.frontend.reader`. The Python sandboxes evaluation results +(:py:class:`mozbuild.frontend.context.Context`) are passed into +:py:mod:`mozbuild.frontend.emitter`, which converts them to classes defined +in :py:mod:`mozbuild.frontend.data`. Each class in this module defines a +domain-specific component of tree metadata. e.g. there will be separate +classes that represent a JavaScript file vs a compiled C++ file or test +manifests. This means downstream consumers of this data can filter on class +types to only consume what they are interested in. + +There is no well-defined mapping between ``moz.build`` file instances +and the number of :py:mod:`mozbuild.frontend.data` classes derived from +each. Depending on the content of the ``moz.build`` file, there may be 1 +object derived or 100. + +The purpose of the ``emitter`` layer between low-level sandbox execution +and metadata representation is to facilitate a unified normalization and +verification step. There are multiple downstream consumers of the +``moz.build``-derived data and many will perform the same actions. This +logic can be complicated, so we have a component dedicated to it. + +:py:class:`mozbuild.frontend.reader.BuildReader`` and +:py:class:`mozbuild.frontend.reader.TreeMetadataEmitter`` have a +stream-based API courtesy of generators. When you hook them up properly, +the :py:mod:`mozbuild.frontend.data` classes are emitted before all +``moz.build`` files have been read. This means that downstream errors +are raised soon after sandbox execution. + +Lots of the code for evaluating Python sandboxes is applicable to +non-Mozilla systems. In theory, it could be extracted into a standalone +and generic package. However, until there is a need, there will +likely be some tightly coupled bits. diff --git a/build/docs/mozbuild-symbols.rst b/build/docs/mozbuild-symbols.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..4e9a8853a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/mozbuild-symbols.rst @@ -0,0 +1,7 @@ +.. _mozbuild_symbols: + +======================== +mozbuild Sandbox Symbols +======================== + +.. mozbuildsymbols:: mozbuild.frontend.context diff --git a/build/docs/mozbuild/index.rst b/build/docs/mozbuild/index.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..86f38940b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/mozbuild/index.rst @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +======== +mozbuild +======== + +mozbuild is a Python package providing functionality used by Mozilla's +build system. + +Modules Overview +================ + +* mozbuild.backend -- Functionality for producing and interacting with build + backends. A build backend is an entity that consumes build system metadata + (from mozbuild.frontend) and does something useful with it (typically writing + out files that can be used by a build tool to build the tree). +* mozbuild.compilation -- Functionality related to compiling. This + includes managing compiler warnings. +* mozbuild.frontend -- Functionality for reading build frontend files + (what defines the build system) and converting them to data structures + which are fed into build backends to produce backend configurations. +* mozpack -- Functionality related to packaging builds. + +Overview +======== + +The build system consists of frontend files that define what to do. They +say things like "compile X" "copy Y." + +The mozbuild.frontend package contains code for reading these frontend +files and converting them to static data structures. The set of produced +static data structures for the tree constitute the current build +configuration. + +There exist entities called build backends. From a high level, build +backends consume the build configuration and do something with it. They +typically produce tool-specific files such as make files which can be used +to build the tree. + +Piecing it all together, we have frontend files that are parsed into data +structures. These data structures are fed into a build backend. The output +from build backends is used by builders to build the tree. + diff --git a/build/docs/mozconfigs.rst b/build/docs/mozconfigs.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..1859b87875 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/mozconfigs.rst @@ -0,0 +1,69 @@ +.. _mozconfig: + +=============== +mozconfig Files +=============== + +mozconfig files are used to configure how a build works. + +mozconfig files are actually shell scripts. They are executed in a +special context with specific variables and functions exposed to them. + +API +=== + +Functions +--------- + +The following special functions are available to a mozconfig script. + +ac_add_options +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +This function is used to declare extra options/arguments to pass into +configure. + +e.g.:: + + ac_add_options --disable-tests + ac_add_options --enable-optimize + +mk_add_options +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +This function is used to inject statements into client.mk for execution. +It is typically used to define variables, notably the object directory. + +e.g.:: + + mk_add_options AUTOCLOBBER=1 + +Special mk_add_options Variables +-------------------------------- + +For historical reasons, the method for communicating certain +well-defined variables is via mk_add_options(). In this section, we +document what those special variables are. + +MOZ_OBJDIR +^^^^^^^^^^ + +This variable is used to define the :term:`object directory` for the current +build. + +Finding the active mozconfig +============================ + +Multiple mozconfig files can exist to provide different configuration +options for different tasks. The rules for finding the active mozconfig +are defined in the +:py:func:`mozboot.mozconfig.find_mozconfig` method. + +.. automodule:: mozboot.mozconfig + :members: find_mozconfig + +Loading the active mozconfig +---------------------------- + +.. autoclass:: mozbuild.mozconfig.MozconfigLoader + :members: read_mozconfig diff --git a/build/docs/mozinfo.rst b/build/docs/mozinfo.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..795ee3c219 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/mozinfo.rst @@ -0,0 +1,176 @@ +.. _mozinfo: + +======= +mozinfo +======= + +``mozinfo`` is a solution for representing a subset of build +configuration and run-time data. + +``mozinfo`` data is typically accessed through a ``mozinfo.json`` file +which is written to the :term:`object directory` during build +configuration. The code for writing this file lives in +:py:mod:`mozbuild.mozinfo`. + +``mozinfo.json`` is an object/dictionary of simple string values. + +The attributes in ``mozinfo.json`` are used for many purposes. One use +is to filter tests for applicability to the current build. For more on +this, see :ref:`test_manifests`. + +.. _mozinfo_attributes: + +mozinfo.json Attributes +================================= + +``mozinfo`` currently records the following attributes. + +appname + The application being built. + + Value comes from ``MOZ_APP_NAME`` from ``config.status``. + + Optional. + +asan + Whether address sanitization is enabled. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +bin_suffix + The file suffix for binaries produced with this build. + + Values may be an empty string, as not all platforms have a binary + suffix. + + Always defined. + +bits + The number of bits in the CPU this build targets. + + Values are typically ``32`` or ``64``. + + Universal Mac builds do not have this key defined. + + Unknown processor architectures (see ``processor`` below) may not have + this key defined. + + Optional. + +buildapp + The path to the XUL application being built. + + For desktop Firefox, this is ``browser``. For Fennec, it's + ``mobile/android``. + +crashreporter + Whether the crash reporter is enabled for this build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +datareporting + Whether data reporting (MOZ_DATA_REPORTING) is enabled for this build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +debug + Whether this is a debug build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +devedition + Whether this is a devedition build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +healthreport + Whether the Health Report feature is enabled. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +mozconfig + The path of the :ref:`mozconfig file <mozconfig>` used to produce this build. + + Optional. + +nightly_build + Whether this is a nightly build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +os + The operating system the build is produced for. Values for tier-1 + supported platforms are ``linux``, ``win``, ``mac``, and + ``android``. For other platforms, the value is the lowercase version + of the ``OS_TARGET`` variable from ``config.status``. + + Always defined. + +processor + Information about the processor architecture this build targets. + + Values come from ``TARGET_CPU``, however some massaging may be + performed. + + If the build is a universal build on Mac (it targets both 32-bit and + 64-bit), the value is ``universal-x86-x86_64``. + + If the value starts with ``arm``, the value is ``arm``. + + If the value starts with a string of the form ``i[3-9]86]``, the + value is ``x86``. + + Always defined. + +release_or_beta + Whether this is a release or beta build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +stylo + Whether the Stylo styling system is being used. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +tests_enabled + Whether tests are enabled for this build. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. + +toolkit + The widget toolkit in case. The value comes from the + ``MOZ_WIDGET_TOOLKIT`` ``config.status`` variable. + + Always defined. + +topsrcdir + The path to the source directory the build came from. + + Always defined. + +webrender + Whether or not WebRender is enabled as the Gecko compositor. + + Values are ``true`` and ``false``. + + Always defined. diff --git a/build/docs/pgo.rst b/build/docs/pgo.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..722056c727 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/pgo.rst @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +.. _pgo: + +=========================== +Profile Guided Optimization +=========================== + +:abbr:`PGO (Profile Guided Optimization)` is the process of adding +probes to a compiled binary, running said binary, then using the +run-time information to *recompile* the binary to (hopefully) make it +faster. + +How PGO Builds Work +=================== + +The supported interface for invoking a PGO build is to add ``MOZ_PGO=1`` to +configure flags and then build. e.g. in your mozconfig:: + + ac_add_options MOZ_PGO=1 + +Then:: + + $ ./mach build + +This is roughly equivalent to:: + +#. Perform a build with *--enable-profile-generate* in $topobjdir/instrumented +#. Perform a run of the instrumented binaries with build/pgo/profileserver.py +#. Perform a build with *--enable-profile-use* in $topobjdir diff --git a/build/docs/preprocessor.rst b/build/docs/preprocessor.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..5ce9092ed9 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/preprocessor.rst @@ -0,0 +1,219 @@ +.. _preprocessor: + +================= +Text Preprocessor +================= + +The build system contains a text preprocessor similar to the C preprocessor, +meant for processing files which have no built-in preprocessor such as XUL +and JavaScript documents. It is implemented at ``python/mozbuild/mozbuild/preprocessor.py`` and +is typically invoked via :ref:`jar_manifests`. + +While used to preprocess CSS files, the directives are changed to begin with +``%`` instead of ``#`` to avoid conflict of the id selectors. + +Directives +========== + +Variable Definition +------------------- + +define +^^^^^^ + +:: + + #define variable + #define variable value + +Defines a preprocessor variable. + +Note that, unlike the C preprocessor, instances of this variable later in the +source are not automatically replaced (see #filter). If value is not supplied, +it defaults to ``1``. + +Note that whitespace is significant, so ``"#define foo one"`` and +``"#define foo one "`` is different (in the second case, ``foo`` is defined to +be a four-character string). + +undef +^^^^^ + +:: + + #undef variable + +Undefines a preprocessor variable. + +Conditionals +------------ + +if +^^ + +:: + + #if variable + #if !variable + #if variable == string + #if variable != string + +Disables output if the conditional is false. This can be nested to arbitrary +depths. Note that in the equality checks, the variable must come first. + +else +^^^^ + +:: + + #else + +Reverses the state of the previous conditional block; for example, if the +last ``#if`` was true (output was enabled), an ``#else`` makes it off +(output gets disabled). + +endif +^^^^^ + +:: + + #endif + +Ends the conditional block. + +ifdef / ifndef +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +:: + + #ifdef variable + #ifndef variable + +An ``#if`` conditional that is true only if the preprocessor variable +variable is defined (in the case of ``ifdef``) or not defined (``ifndef``). + +elif / elifdef / elifndef +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +:: + + #elif variable + #elif !variable + #elif variable == string + #elif variable != string + #elifdef variable + #elifndef variable + +A shorthand to mean an ``#else`` combined with the relevant conditional. +The following two blocks are equivalent:: + + #ifdef foo + block 1 + #elifdef bar + block 2 + #endif + +:: + + #ifdef foo + block 1 + #else + #ifdef bar + block 2 + #endif + #endif + +File Inclusion +-------------- + +include +^^^^^^^ + +:: + + #include filename + +The file specified by filename is processed as if the contents was placed +at this position. This also means that preprocessor conditionals can even +be started in one file and ended in another (but is highly discouraged). +There is no limit on depth of inclusion, or repeated inclusion of the same +file, or self inclusion; thus, care should be taken to avoid infinite loops. + +includesubst +^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +:: + + #includesubst @variable@filename + +Same as a ``#include`` except that all instances of variable in the included +file is also expanded as in ``#filter`` substitution + +expand +^^^^^^ + +:: + + #expand string + +All variables wrapped in ``__`` are replaced with their value, for this line +only. If the variable is not defined, it expands to an empty string. For +example, if ``foo`` has the value ``bar``, and ``baz`` is not defined, then:: + + #expand This <__foo__> <__baz__> gets expanded + +Is expanded to:: + + This <bar> <> gets expanded + +filter / unfilter +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +:: + + #filter filter1 filter2 ... filterN + #unfilter filter1 filter2 ... filterN + +``#filter`` turns on the given filter. + +Filters are run in alphabetical order on a per-line basis. + +``#unfilter`` turns off the given filter. Available filters are: + +emptyLines + strips blank lines from the output +dumbComments + dumbComments: empties out any line that consists of optional whitespace + followed by a ``//``. Good for getting rid of comments that are on their + own lines, and being smarter with a simple regexp filter is impossible +substitution + all variables wrapped in @ are replaced with their value. If the + variable is not defined, it is a fatal error. Similar to ``#expand`` + and ``#filter`` +attemptSubstitution + all variables wrapped in ``@`` are replaced with their value, or an + empty string if the variable is not defined. Similar to ``#expand``. + +literal +^^^^^^^ + +:: + + #literal string + +Output the string (i.e. the rest of the line) literally, with no other fixups. +This is useful to output lines starting with ``#``, or to temporarily +disable filters. + +Other +----- + +#error +^^^^^^ + +:: + + #error string + +Cause a fatal error at this point, with the error message being the +given string. diff --git a/build/docs/python.rst b/build/docs/python.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..200c48ce21 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/python.rst @@ -0,0 +1,178 @@ +.. _python: + +=========================== +Python and the Build System +=========================== + +The Python programming language is used significantly in the build +system. If we need to write code for the build system or for a tool +related to the build system, Python is typically the first choice. + +Python Requirements +=================== + +The tree requires Python 2.7.3 or greater but not Python 3 to build. +All Python packages not in the Python distribution are included in the +source tree. So all you should need is a vanilla Python install and you +should be good to go. + +Only CPython (the Python distribution available from www.python.org) is +supported. + +We require Python 2.7.3 (and not say 2.7.2) to build because Python +2.7.3 contains numerous bug fixes, especially around the area of Unicode +handling. These bug fixes are extremely annoying and have to be worked +around. The build maintainers were tired of doing this, so the minimum +version requirement was upped (bug 870420). + +We intend to eventually support Python 3. This will come by way of dual +2.7/3.x compatibility because a single flag day conversion to 3.x will +be too cumbersome given the amount of Python that would need converted. +We will not know which 3.x minor release we are targeting until this +effort is underway. This is tracked in bug 636155. + +Compiled Python Packages +======================== + +There are some features of the build that rely on compiled Python packages +(packages containing C source). These features are currently all +optional because not every system contains the Python development +headers required to build these extensions. + +We recommend you have the Python development headers installed (``mach +bootstrap`` should do this for you) so you can take advantage of these +features. + +Issues with OS X System Python +============================== + +The Python that ships with OS X has historically been littered with +subtle bugs and suboptimalities. Furthermore, OS X up through 10.8 don't +ship with Python 2.7.3 (10.8 ships with 2.7.2). + +OS X 10.8 and below users will be required to install a new Python +distribution. This may not be necessary for OS X 10.9+. However, we +still recommend installing a separate Python because of the history with +OS X's system Python issues. + +We recommend installing Python through Homebrew or MacPorts. If you run +``mach bootstrap``, this should be done for you. + +Virtualenvs +=========== + +The build system relies heavily on +`virtualenvs <http://www.virtualenv.org/en/latest/>`_. Virtualenvs are +standalone and isolated Python environments. The problem a virtualenv +solves is that of dependencies across multiple Python components. If two +components on a system relied on different versions of a package, there +could be a conflict. Instead of managing multiple versions of a package +simultaneously, Python and virtualenvs take the route that it is easier +to just keep them separate so there is no potential for conflicts. + +Very early in the build process, a virtualenv is created inside the +:term:`object directory`. The virtualenv is configured such that it can +find all the Python packages in the source tree. The code for this lives +in :py:mod:`mozbuild.virtualenv`. + +Deficiencies +------------ + +There are numerous deficiencies with the way virtualenvs are handled in +the build system. + +* mach reinvents the virtualenv. + + There is code in ``build/mach_bootstrap.py`` that configures ``sys.path`` + much the same way the virtualenv does. There are various bugs tracking + this. However, no clear solution has yet been devised. It's not a huge + problem and thus not a huge priority. + +* They aren't preserved across copies and packaging. + + If you attempt to copy an entire tree from one machine to another or + from one directory to another, chances are the virtualenv will fall + apart. It would be nice if we could preserve it somehow. Instead of + actually solving portable virtualenvs, all we really need to solve is + encapsulating the logic for populating the virtualenv along with all + dependent files in the appropriate place. + +* .pyc files written to source directory. + + We rely heavily on ``.pth`` files in our virtualenv. A ``.pth`` file + is a special file that contains a list of paths. Python will take the + set of listed paths encountered in ``.pth`` files and add them to + ``sys.path``. + + When Python compiles a ``.py`` file to bytecode, it writes out a + ``.pyc`` file so it doesn't have to perform this compilation again. + It puts these ``.pyc`` files alongside the ``.pyc`` file. Python + provides very little control for determining where these ``.pyc`` files + go, even in Python 3 (which offers customer importers). + + With ``.pth`` files pointing back to directories in the source tree + and not the object directory, ``.pyc`` files are created in the source + tree. This is bad because when Python imports a module, it first looks + for a ``.pyc`` file before the ``.py`` file. If there is a ``.pyc`` + file but no ``.py`` file, it will happily import the module. This + wreaks havoc during file moves, refactoring, etc. + + There are various proposals for fixing this. See bug 795995. + +Installing Python Manually +========================== + +We highly recommend you use your system's package manager or a +well-supported 3rd party package manager to install Python for you. If +these are not available to you, we recommend the following tools for +installing Python: + +* `buildout.python <https://github.com/collective/buildout.python>`_ +* `pyenv <https://github.com/yyuu/pyenv>`_ +* An official installer from http://www.python.org. + +If all else fails, consider compiling Python from source manually. But this +should be viewed as the least desirable option. + +Common Issues with Python +========================= + +Upgrading your Python distribution breaks the virtualenv +-------------------------------------------------------- + +If you upgrade the Python distribution (e.g. install Python 2.7.5 +from 2.7.3, chances are parts of the virtualenv will break. +This commonly manifests as a cryptic ``Cannot import XXX`` exception. +More often than not, the module being imported contains binary/compiled +components. + +If you upgrade or reinstall your Python distribution, we recommend +clobbering your build. + +Packages installed at the system level conflict with build system's +------------------------------------------------------------------- + +It is common for people to install Python packages using ``sudo`` (e.g. +``sudo pip install psutil``) or with the system's package manager +(e.g. ``apt-get install python-mysql``. + +A problem with this is that packages installed at the system level may +conflict with the package provided by the source tree. As of bug 907902 +and changeset f18eae7c3b27 (September 16, 2013), this should no longer +be an issue since the virtualenv created as part of the build doesn't +add the system's ``site-packages`` directory to ``sys.path``. However, +poorly installed packages may still find a way to creep into the mix and +interfere with our virtualenv. + +As a general principle, we recommend against using your system's package +manager or using ``sudo`` to install Python packages. Instead, create +virtualenvs and isolated Python environments for all of your Python +projects. + +Python on $PATH is not appropriate +---------------------------------- + +Tools like ``mach`` will look for Python by performing ``/usr/bin/env +python`` or equivalent. Please be sure the appropriate Python 2.7.3+ +path is on $PATH. On OS X, this likely means you'll need to modify your +shell's init script to put something ahead of ``/usr/bin``. diff --git a/build/docs/rust.rst b/build/docs/rust.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..c3d377d160 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/rust.rst @@ -0,0 +1,180 @@ +.. _rust: + +============================== +Including Rust Code in Firefox +============================== + +This page explains how to add, build, link, and vendor Rust crates. + +The `code documentation <../../writing-rust-code>`_ explains how to write and +work with Rust code in Firefox. The +`test documentation <../../testing-rust-code>`_ explains how to test and debug +Rust code in Firefox. + +Linking Rust crates into libxul +=============================== + +Rust crates that you want to link into libxul should be listed in the +``dependencies`` section of +`toolkit/library/rust/shared/Cargo.toml <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/toolkit/library/rust/shared/Cargo.toml>`_. +You must also add an ``extern crate`` reference to +`toolkit/library/rust/shared/lib.rs <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/toolkit/library/rust/shared/lib.rs>`_. +This ensures that the Rust code will be linked properly into libxul as well +as the copy of libxul used for gtests. (Even though Rust 2018 mostly doesn't +require ``extern crate`` declarations, these ones are necessary because the +gkrust setup is non-typical.) + +After adding your crate, execute ``cargo update -p gkrust-shared`` to update +the ``Cargo.lock`` file. You will also need to do this any time you change the +dependencies in a ``Cargo.toml`` file. If you don't, you will get a build error +saying **"error: the lock file /home/njn/moz/mc3/Cargo.lock needs to be updated +but --frozen was passed to prevent this"**. + +By default, all Cargo packages in the mozilla-central repository are part of +the same +`workspace <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/toolkit/library/rust/shared/lib.rs>`_ +and will share the ``Cargo.lock`` file and ``target`` directory in the root of +the repository. You can change this behavior by adding a path to the +``exclude`` list in the top-level ``Cargo.toml`` file. You may want to do +this if your package's development workflow includes dev-dependencies that +aren't needed by general Firefox developers or test infrastructure. + +The actual build mechanism is as follows. The build system generates a special +'Rust unified library' crate, compiles that to a static library +(``libgkrust.a``), and links that into libxul, so all public symbols will be +available to C++ code. Building a static library that is linked into a dynamic +library is easier than building dynamic libraries directly, and it also avoids +some subtle issues around how mozalloc works that make the Rust dynamic library +path a little wonky. + +Linking Rust crates into something else +======================================= + +To link Rust code into libraries other than libxul, create a directory with a +``Cargo.toml`` file for your crate, and a ``moz.build`` file that contains: + +.. code-block:: python + + RustLibrary('crate_name') + +where ``crate_name`` matches the name from the ``[package]`` section of your +``Cargo.toml``. You can refer to `the moz.build file <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/3f4c3a3cabaf94958834d3a8935adfb4a887942d/toolkit/library/rust/moz.build#7>`_ and `the Cargo.toml file <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/3f4c3a3cabaf94958834d3a8935adfb4a887942d/toolkit/library/rust/Cargo.toml>`_ that are used for libxul. + +You can then add ``USE_LIBS += ['crate_name']`` to the ``moz.build`` file +that defines the binary as you would with any other library in the tree. + +.. important:: + + You cannot link a Rust crate into an intermediate library that will be + eventually linked into libxul. The build system enforces that only a single + ``RustLibrary`` may be linked into a binary. If you need to do this, you + will have to add a ``RustLibrary`` to link to any standalone binaries that + link the intermediate library, and also add the Rust crate to the libxul + dependencies as in `linking Rust Crates into libxul`_. + +Conditional compilation +======================== + +Edit `tool/library/rust/gkrust-features.mozbuild +<https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/toolkit/library/rust/gkrust-features.mozbuild>`_ +to expose build flags as Cargo features. + +Standalone Rust programs +======================== + +It is also possible to build standalone Rust programs. First, put the Rust +program (including the ``Cargo.toml`` file and the ``src`` directory) in its +own directory, and add an empty ``moz.build`` file to the same directory. + +Then, if the standalone Rust program must run on the compile target (e.g. +because it's shipped with Firefox) then add this rule to the ``moz.build`` +file: + +.. code-block:: python + + RUST_PROGRAMS = ['prog_name'] + +where *prog_name* is the name of the executable as specified in the +``Cargo.toml`` (and probably also matches the name of the directory). + +Otherwise, if the standalone Rust program must run on the compile host (e.g. +because it's used to build Firefox but not shipped with Firefox) then do the +same thing, but use ``HOST_RUST_PROGRAMS`` instead of ``RUST_PROGRAMS``. + +Where should I put my crate? +============================ + +If your crate's canonical home is mozilla-central, you can put it next to the +related code in the appropriate directory. + +If your crate is mirrored into mozilla-central from another repository, and +will not be actively developed in mozilla-central, you can simply list it +as a ``crates.io``-style dependency with a version number, and let it be +vendored into the ``third_party/rust`` directory. + +If your crate is mirrored into mozilla-central from another repository, but +will be actively developed in both locations, you should send mail to the +dev-builds mailing list to start a discussion on how to meet your needs. + +Third-party crate dependencies +============================== + +Third-party dependencies for in-tree Rust crates are *vendored* into the +``third_party/rust`` directory of mozilla-central. This means that a copy of +each third-party crate's code is committed into mozilla-central. As a result, +building Firefox does not involve downloading any third-party crates. + +If you add a dependency on a new crate you must run ``mach vendor rust`` to +vendor the dependencies into that directory. (Note that ``mach vendor rust`` +`may not work as well on Windows <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1647582>`_ +as on other platforms.) + +When it comes to checking the suitability of third-party code for inclusion +into mozilla-central, keep the following in mind. + +- ``mach vendor rust`` will check that the licenses of all crates are suitable. +- You should review the crate code to some degree to check that it looks + reasonable (especially for unsafe code) and that it has reasonable tests. +- Third-party crate tests aren't run, which means that large test fixtures will + bloat mozilla-central. Consider working with upstream to mark those test + fixtures with ``[package] exclude = ...`` as described + `here <https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html#the-exclude-and-include-fields>`_. +- If you specify a dependency on a branch, pin it to a specific revision, + otherwise other people will get unexpected changes when they run ``./mach + vendor rust`` any time the branch gets updated. See `bug 1612619 + <https://bugzil.la/1612619>`_ for a case where such a problem was fixed. +- Other than that, there is no formal sign-off procedure, but one may be added + in the future. + +Note that all dependencies will be vendored, even ones that aren't used due to +disabled features. It's possible that multiple versions of a crate will end up +vendored into mozilla-central. + +Patching third-party crates +=========================== + +Sometimes you might want to temporarily patch a third-party crate, for local +builds or for a try push. + +To do this, first add an entry to the ``[patch.crates-io]`` section of the +top-level ``Cargo.toml`` that points to the crate within ``third_party``. For +example + +.. code-block:: toml + + bitflags = { path = "third_party/rust/bitflags" } + +Next, run ``cargo update -p $CRATE_NAME --precise $VERSION``, where +``$CRATE_NAME`` is the name of the patched crate, and ``$VERSION`` is its +version number. This will update the ``Cargo.lock`` file. + +Then, make the local changes to the crate. + +Finally, make sure you don't accidentally land the changes to the crate or the +``Cargo.lock`` file. + +For an example of a more complex workflow involving a third-party crate, see +`mp4parse-rust/README.md <https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/media/mp4parse-rust/README.md>`_. +It describes the workflow for a crate that is hosted on GitHub, and for which +changes are made via GitHub pull requests, but all pull requests must also be +tested within mozilla-central before being merged. diff --git a/build/docs/sccache-dist.rst b/build/docs/sccache-dist.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..f98a0f5d35 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/sccache-dist.rst @@ -0,0 +1,220 @@ +.. _sccache_dist: + +================================== +Distributed sccache (sccache-dist) +================================== + +`sccache <https://github.com/mozilla/sccache>`_ is a ccache-like tool written in +rust. + +Distributed sccache (also referred to as sccache-dist) is being rolled out to +Mozilla offices as a replacement for icecc. The steps for setting up your +machine as an sccache-dist server as well as distributing your build to servers +in your office are detailed below. + +In addition to improved security properties, distributed sccache offers +distribution and caching of rust compilation, so it should be an improvement +above and beyond what we see with icecc. Build servers run on Linux and +distributing builds is currently supported from Linux, macOS, and Windows. + + +Steps for distributing a build as an sccache-dist client +======================================================== + +Start by following the instructions at https://github.com/mozilla/sccache/blob/master/docs/DistributedQuickstart.md#configure-a-client +to configure your sccache distributed client. +*NOTE* If you're distributing from Linux a toolchain will be packaged +automatically and provided to the build server. If you're distributing from +Windows or macOS, start by using the cross-toolchains provided by +``./mach bootstrap`` rather than attempting to use ``icecc-create-env``. +sccache 0.2.12 or above is recommended, and the auth section of your config +must read:: + + [dist.auth] + type = "mozilla" + +* The scheduler url to use is: ``https://sccache1.corpdmz.<OFFICE>.mozilla.com``, + where <OFFICE> is, for instance, sfo1. A complete list of office short names + to be used can be found in the `Office Addressing Schemes spreadsheet <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1alscUTcfFyu3L0vs_S_cGi9JxF4uPrfsmwJko9annWE/edit#gid=0>`_. + +* To use distributed sccache from a Mozilla office, you must be on the corporate + network. Use the ``Mozilla`` ssid for wireless. The corp vlan is the default + if wired. + +* If you're compiling from a macOS client, there are a handful of additional + considerations outlined here: + https://github.com/mozilla/sccache/blob/master/docs/DistributedQuickstart.md#considerations-when-distributing-from-macos. + + Run ``./mach bootstrap`` to download prebuilt toolchains to + ``~/.mozbuild/clang-dist-toolchain.tar.xz`` and + ``~/.mozbuild/rustc-dist-toolchain.tar.xz``. This is an example of the paths + that should be added to your client config to specify toolchains to build on + macOS, located at ``~/Library/Application Support/Mozilla.sccache/config``:: + + [[dist.toolchains]] + type = "path_override" + compiler_executable = "/path/to/home/.rustup/toolchains/stable-x86_64-apple-darwin/bin/rustc" + archive = "/path/to/home/.mozbuild/rustc-dist-toolchain.tar.xz" + archive_compiler_executable = "/builds/worker/toolchains/rustc/bin/rustc" + + [[dist.toolchains]] + type = "path_override" + compiler_executable = "/path/to/home/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang" + archive = "/path/to/home/.mozbuild/clang-dist-toolchain.tar.xz" + archive_compiler_executable = "/builds/worker/toolchains/clang/bin/clang" + + [[dist.toolchains]] + type = "path_override" + compiler_executable = "/path/to/home/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang++" + archive = "/path/to/home/.mozbuild/clang-dist-toolchain.tar.xz" + archive_compiler_executable = "/builds/worker/toolchains/clang/bin/clang" + + Note that the version of ``rustc`` found in ``rustc-dist-toolchain.tar.xz`` + must match the version of ``rustc`` used locally. The distributed archive + will contain the version of ``rustc`` used by automation builds, which may + lag behind stable for a few days after Rust releases, which is specified by + the task definition in + `this file <https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/file/tip/taskcluster/ci/toolchain/dist-toolchains.yml>`_. + For instance, to specify 1.37.0 rather than the current stable, run + ``rustup toolchain add 1.37.0`` and point to + ``/path/to/home/.rustup/toolchains/1.37.0-x86_64-apple-darwin/bin/rustc`` in your + client config. + + The build system currently requires an explicit target to be passed with + ``HOST_CFLAGS`` and ``HOST_CXXFLAGS`` e.g.:: + + export HOST_CFLAGS="--target=x86_64-apple-darwin16.0.0" + export HOST_CXXFLAGS="--target=x86_64-apple-darwin16.0.0" + +* Compiling from a Windows client is supported but hasn't seen as much testing + as other platforms. The following example mozconfig can be used as a guide:: + + ac_add_options CCACHE="C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/sccache/sccache.exe" + + export CC="C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang-cl.exe --driver-mode=cl" + export CXX="C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang-cl.exe --driver-mode=cl" + export HOST_CC="C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang-cl.exe --driver-mode=cl" + export HOST_CXX="C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang-cl.exe --driver-mode=cl" + + The client config should be located at + ``~/AppData/Roaming/Mozilla/sccache/config/config``, and as on macOS custom + toolchains should be obtained with ``./mach bootstrap`` and specified in the + client config, for example:: + + [[dist.toolchains]] + type = "path_override" + compiler_executable = "C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/clang/bin/clang-cl.exe" + archive = "C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/clang-dist-toolchain.tar.xz" + archive_compiler_executable = "/builds/worker/toolchains/clang/bin/clang" + + [[dist.toolchains]] + type = "path_override" + compiler_executable = "C:/Users/<USER>/.rustup/toolchains/stable-x86_64-pc-windows-msvc/bin/rustc.exe" + archive = "C:/Users/<USER>/.mozbuild/rustc-dist-toolchain.tar.xz" + archive_compiler_executable = "/builds/worker/toolchains/rustc/bin/rustc" + +* Add the following to your mozconfig:: + + ac_add_options CCACHE=/path/to/home/.mozbuild/sccache/sccache + + If you're compiling from a macOS client, you might need some additional configuration:: + + # Set the target flag to Darwin + export CFLAGS="--target=x86_64-apple-darwin16.0.0" + export CXXFLAGS="--target=x86_64-apple-darwin16.0.0" + export HOST_CFLAGS="--target=x86_64-apple-darwin16.0.0" + export HOST_CXXFLAGS="--target=x86_64-apple-darwin16.0.0" + + # Specify the macOS SDK to use + ac_add_options --with-macos-sdk=/path/to/MacOSX-SDKs/MacOSX10.12.sdk + + You can get the right macOS SDK by downloading an old version of XCode from + `developer.apple.com <https://developer.apple.com>`_ and unpacking the SDK + from it. + +* When attempting to get your client running, the output of ``sccache -s`` should + be consulted to confirm compilations are being distributed. To receive helpful + logging from the local daemon in case they aren't, run + ``SCCACHE_NO_DAEMON=1 SCCACHE_START_SERVER=1 SCCACHE_LOG=sccache=trace path/to/sccache`` + in a terminal window separate from your build prior to building. *NOTE* use + ``RUST_LOG`` instead of ``SCCACHE_LOG`` if your build of ``sccache`` does not + include `pull request 822 + <https://github.com/mozilla/sccache/pull/822>`_. (``sccache`` binaries from + ``mach bootstrap`` do include this PR.) + +* Run ``./mach build -j<value>`` with an appropriately large ``<value>``. + ``sccache --dist-status`` should provide the number of cores available to you + (or a message if you're not connected). In the future this will be integrated + with the build system to automatically select an appropriate value. + +This should be enough to distribute your build and replace your use of icecc. +Bear in mind there may be a few speedbumps, and please ensure your version of +sccache is current before investigating further. Please see the common questions +section below and ask for help if anything is preventing you from using it over +email (dev-builds), on slack in #sccache, or in #build on irc. + +Steps for setting up a server +============================= + +Build servers must run linux and use bubblewrap 0.3.0+ for sandboxing of compile +processes. This requires a kernel 4.6 or greater, so Ubuntu 18+, RHEL 8, or +similar. + +* Run ``./mach bootstrap`` or + ``./mach artifact toolchain --from-build linux64-sccache`` to acquire a recent + version of ``sccache-dist``. Please use a ``sccache-dist`` binary acquired in + this fashion to ensure compatibility with statically linked dependencies. + +* Collect the IP of your builder and request assignment of a static IP in a bug + filed in + `NetOps :: Other <https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Infrastructure%20%26%20Operations&component=NetOps%3A%20Office%20Other>`_ + This bug should include your office (SFO, YVR, etc.), your MAC address, and a + description of why you want a static IP (“To serve as an sccache builder” + should be sufficient). + +* Visit the ``sccache`` section of https://login.mozilla.com to generate an auth + token for your builder. + +* The instructions at https://github.com/mozilla/sccache/blob/master/docs/DistributedQuickstart.md#configure-a-build-server + should contain everything else required to configure and run the server. + + *NOTE* Port 10500 will be used by convention for builders in offices. + Please use port 10500 in the ``public_addr`` section of your builder config. + + Extra logging may be helpful when setting up a server. To enable logging, + run your server with + ``sudo env SCCACHE_LOG=sccache=trace ~/.mozbuild/sccache/sccache-dist server --config ~/.config/sccache/server.conf`` + (or similar). *NOTE* ``sudo`` *must* come before setting environment variables + for this to work. *NOTE* use ``RUST_LOG`` instead of ``SCCACHE_LOG`` if your + build of ``sccache`` does not include `pull request 822 + <https://github.com/mozilla/sccache/pull/822>`_. (``sccache`` binaries from + ``mach bootstrap`` do include this PR.) + + As when configuring a client, the scheduler url to use is: + ``https://sccache1.corpdmz.<OFFICE>.mozilla.com``, where <OFFICE> is an + office abbreviation found + `here <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1alscUTcfFyu3L0vs_S_cGi9JxF4uPrfsmwJko9annWE/edit#gid=0>`_. + + +Common questions/considerations +=============================== + +* My build is still slow: scache-dist can only do so much with parts of the + build that aren't able to be parallelized. To start debugging a slow build, + ensure the "Successful distributed compilations" line in the output of + ``sccache -s`` dominates other counts. For a full build, at least a 2-3x + improvement should be observed. + +* My build output is incomprehensible due to a flood of warnings: clang will + treat some warnings differently when it's fed preprocessed code in a separate + invocation (preprocessing occurs locally with sccache-dist). Adding + ``rewrite_includes_only = true`` to the ``dist`` section of your client config + will improve this; however, setting this will cause build failures with a + commonly deployed version of ``glibc``. This option will default to ``true`` + once the fix is more widely available. Details of this fix can be found in + `this patch <https://sourceware.org/ml/libc-alpha/2019-11/msg00431.html>`_. + +* My build fails with a message about incompatible versions of rustc between + dependent crates: if you're using a custom toolchain check that the version + of rustc in your ``rustc-dist-toolchain.tar.xz`` is the same as the version + you're running locally. diff --git a/build/docs/slow.rst b/build/docs/slow.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..ea45197d05 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/slow.rst @@ -0,0 +1,177 @@ +.. _slow: + +============================ +Why the Build System is Slow +============================ + +A common complaint about the build system is that it's slow. There are +many reasons contributing to its slowness. We will attempt to document +them here. + +First, it is important to distinguish between a :term:`clobber build` +and an :term:`incremental build`. The reasons for why each are slow can +be different. + +The build does a lot of work +============================ + +It may not be obvious, but the main reason the build system is slow is +because it does a lot of work! The source tree consists of a few +thousand C++ files. On a modern machine, we spend over 120 minutes of CPU +core time compiling files! So, if you are looking for the root cause of +slow clobber builds, look at the sheer volume of C++ files in the tree. + +You don't have enough CPU cores and MHz +======================================= + +The build should be CPU bound. If the build system maintainers are +optimizing the build system perfectly, every CPU core in your machine +should be 100% saturated during a build. While this isn't currently the +case (keep reading below), generally speaking, the more CPU cores you +have in your machine and the more total MHz in your machine, the better. + +**We highly recommend building with no fewer than 4 physical CPU +cores.** Please note the *physical* in this sentence. Hyperthreaded +cores (an Intel Core i7 will report 8 CPU cores but only 4 are physical +for example) only yield at most a 1.25x speedup per core. + +We also recommend using the most modern CPU model possible. Haswell +chips deliver much more performance per CPU cycle than say Sandy Bridge +CPUs. + +This cause impacts both clobber and incremental builds. + +You are building with a slow I/O layer +====================================== + +The build system can be I/O bound if your I/O layer is slow. Linking +libxul on some platforms and build architectures can perform gigabytes +of I/O. + +To minimize the impact of slow I/O on build performance, **we highly +recommend building with an SSD.** Power users with enough memory may opt +to build from a RAM disk. Mechanical disks should be avoided if at all +possible. + +Some may dispute the importance of an SSD on build times. It is true +that the beneficial impact of an SSD can be mitigated if your system has +lots of memory and the build files stay in the page cache. However, +operating system memory management is complicated. You don't really have +control over what or when something is evicted from the page cache. +Therefore, unless your machine is a dedicated build machine or you have +more memory than is needed by everything running on your machine, +chances are you'll run into page cache eviction and you I/O layer will +impact build performance. That being said, an SSD certainly doesn't +hurt build times. And, anyone who has used a machine with an SSD will +tell you how great of an investment it is for performance all around the +operating system. On top of that, some automated tests are I/O bound +(like those touching SQLite databases), so an SSD will make tests +faster. + +This cause impacts both clobber and incremental builds. + +You don't have enough memory +============================ + +The build system allocates a lot of memory, especially when building +many things in parallel. If you don't have enough free system memory, +the build will cause swap activity, slowing down your system and the +build. Even if you never get to the point of swapping, the build system +performs a lot of I/O and having all accessed files in memory and the +page cache can significantly reduce the influence of the I/O layer on +the build system. + +**We recommend building with no less than 8 GB of system memory.** As +always, the more memory you have, the better. For a bare bones machine +doing nothing more than building the source tree, anything more than 16 +GB is likely entering the point of diminishing returns. + +This cause impacts both clobber and incremental builds. + +You are building on Windows +=========================== + +New processes on Windows are about a magnitude slower to spawn than on +UNIX-y systems such as Linux. This is because Windows has optimized new +threads while the \*NIX platforms typically optimize new processes. +Anyway, the build system spawns thousands of new processes during a +build. Parts of the build that rely on rapid spawning of new processes +are slow on Windows as a result. This is most pronounced when running +*configure*. The configure file is a giant shell script and shell +scripts rely heavily on new processes. This is why configure +can run over a minute slower on Windows. + +Another reason Windows builds are slower is because Windows lacks proper +symlink support. On systems that support symlinks, we can generate a +file into a staging area then symlink it into the final directory very +quickly. On Windows, we have to perform a full file copy. This incurs +much more I/O. And if done poorly, can muck with file modification +times, messing up build dependencies. As of the summer of 2013, the +impact of symlinks is being mitigated through the use +of an :term:`install manifest`. + +These issues impact both clobber and incremental builds. + +Recursive make traversal is slow +================================ + +The build system has traditionally been built by employing recursive +make. Recursive make involves make iterating through directories / make +files sequentially and executing each in turn. This is inefficient for +directories containing few targets/tasks because make could be *starved* +for work when processing these directories. Any time make is starved, +the build isn't using all available CPU cycles and the build is slower +as a result. + +Work has started in bug 907365 to fix this issue by changing the way +make traverses all the make files. + +The impact of slow recursive make traversal is mostly felt on +incremental builds. Traditionally, most of the wall time during a +no-op build is spent in make traversal. + +make is inefficient +=================== + +Compared to modern build backends like Tup or Ninja, `make` is slow and +inefficient. We can only make `make` so fast. At some point, we'll hit a +performance plateau and will need to use a different tool to make builds +faster. + +Please note that clobber and incremental builds are different. A clobber build +with `make` will likely be as fast as a clobber build with a modern build +system. + +C++ header dependency hell +========================== + +Modifying a *.h* file can have significant impact on the build system. +If you modify a *.h* that is used by 1000 C++ files, all of those 1000 +C++ files will be recompiled. + +Our code base has traditionally been sloppy managing the impact of +changed headers on build performance. Bug 785103 tracks improving the +situation. + +This issue mostly impacts the times of an :term:`incremental build`. + +A search/indexing service on your machine is running +==================================================== + +Many operating systems have a background service that automatically +indexes filesystem content to make searching faster. On Windows, you +have the Windows Search Service. On OS X, you have Finder. + +These background services sometimes take a keen interest in the files +being produced as part of the build. Since the build system produces +hundreds of megabytes or even a few gigabytes of file data, you can +imagine how much work this is to index! If this work is being performed +while the build is running, your build will be slower. + +OS X's Finder is notorious for indexing when the build is running. And, +it has a tendency to suck up a whole CPU core. This can make builds +several minutes slower. If you build with ``mach`` and have the optional +``psutil`` package built (it requires Python development headers - see +:ref:`python` for more) and Finder is running during a build, mach will +print a warning at the end of the build, complete with instructions on +how to fix it. diff --git a/build/docs/sparse.rst b/build/docs/sparse.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..6dcf548334 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/sparse.rst @@ -0,0 +1,157 @@ +.. _build_sparse: + +================ +Sparse Checkouts +================ + +The Firefox repository is large: over 230,000 files. That many files +can put a lot of strain on machines, tools, and processes. + +Some version control tools have the ability to only populate a +working directory / checkout with a subset of files in the repository. +This is called *sparse checkout*. + +Various tools in the Firefox repository are configured to work +when a sparse checkout is being used. + +Sparse Checkouts in Mercurial +============================= + +Mercurial 4.3 introduced **experimental** support for sparse checkouts +in the official distribution (a Facebook-authored extension has +implemented the feature as a 3rd party extension for years). + +To enable sparse checkout support in Mercurial, enable the ``sparse`` +extension:: + + [extensions] + sparse = + +The *sparseness* of the working directory is managed using +``hg debugsparse``. Run ``hg help debugsparse`` and ``hg help -e sparse`` +for more info on the feature. + +When a *sparse config* is enabled, the working directory only contains +files matching that config. You cannot ``hg add`` or ``hg remove`` files +outside the *sparse config*. + +.. warning:: + + Sparse support in Mercurial 4.3 does not have any backwards + compatibility guarantees. Expect things to change. Scripting against + commands or relying on behavior is strongly discouraged. + +In-Tree Sparse Profiles +======================= + +Mercurial supports defining the sparse config using files under version +control. These are called *sparse profiles*. + +Essentially, the sparse profiles are managed just like any other file in +the repository. When you ``hg update``, the sparse configuration is +evaluated against the sparse profile at the revision being updated to. +From an end-user perspective, you just need to *activate* a profile once +and files will be added or removed as appropriate whenever the versioned +profile file updates. + +In the Firefox repository, the ``build/sparse-profiles`` directory +contains Mercurial *sparse profiles* files. + +Each *sparse profile* essentially defines a list of file patterns +(see ``hg help patterns``) to include or exclude. See +``hg help -e sparse`` for more. + +Mach Support for Sparse Checkouts +================================= + +``mach`` detects when a sparse checkout is being used and its +behavior may vary to accommodate this. + +By default it is a fatal error if ``mach`` can't load one of the +``mach_commands.py`` files it was told to. But if a sparse checkout +is being used, ``mach`` assumes that file isn't part of the sparse +checkout and to ignore missing file errors. This means that +running ``mach`` inside a sparse checkout will only have access +to the commands defined in files in the sparse checkout. + +Sparse Checkouts in Automation +============================== + +``hg robustcheckout`` (the extension/command used to perform clones +and working directory operations in automation) supports sparse checkout. +However, it has a number of limitations over Mercurial's default sparse +checkout implementation: + +* Only supports 1 profile at a time +* Does not support non-profile sparse configs +* Does not allow transitioning from a non-sparse to sparse checkout or + vice-versa + +These restrictions ensure that any sparse working directory populated by +``hg robustcheckout`` is as consistent and robust as possible. + +``run-task`` (the low-level script for *bootstrapping* tasks in +automation) has support for sparse checkouts. + +TaskGraph tasks using ``run-task`` can specify a ``sparse-profile`` +attribute in YAML (or in code) to denote the sparse profile file to +use. e.g.:: + + run: + using: run-command + command: <command> + sparse-profile: taskgraph + +This automagically results in ``run-task`` and ``hg robustcheckout`` +using the sparse profile defined in ``build/sparse-profiles/<value>``. + +Pros and Cons of Sparse Checkouts +================================= + +The benefits of sparse checkout are that it makes the repository appear +to be smaller. This means: + +* Less time performing working directory operations -> faster version + control operations +* Fewer files to consult -> faster operations +* Working directories only contain what is needed -> easier to understand + what everything does + +Fewer files in the working directory also contributes to disadvantages: + +* Searching may not yield hits because a file isn't in the sparse + checkout. e.g. a *global* search and replace may not actually be + *global* after all. +* Tools performing filesystem walking or path globbing (e.g. + ``**/*.js``) may fail to find files because they don't exist. +* Various tools and processes make assumptions that all files in the + repository are always available. + +There can also be problems caused by mixing sparse and non-sparse +checkouts. For example, if a process in automation is using sparse +and a local developer is not using sparse, things may work for the +local developer but fail in automation (because a file isn't included +in the sparse configuration and not available to automation. +Furthermore, if environments aren't using exactly the same sparse +configuration, differences can contribute to varying behavior. + +When Should Sparse Checkouts Be Used? +===================================== + +Developers are discouraged from using sparse checkouts for local work +until tools for handling sparse checkouts have improved. In particular, +Mercurial's support for sparse is still experimental and various Firefox +tools make assumptions that all files are available. Developers should +use sparse checkout at their own risk. + +The use of sparse checkouts in automation is a performance versus +robustness trade-off. Use of sparse checkouts will make automation +faster because machines will only have to manage a few thousand files +in a checkout instead of a few hundred thousand. This can potentially +translate to minutes saved per machine day. At the scale of thousands +of machines, the savings can be significant. But adopting sparse +checkouts will open up new avenues for failures. (See section above.) +If a process is isolated (in terms of file access) and well-understood, +sparse checkout can likely be leveraged with little risk. But if a +process is doing things like walking the filesystem and performing +lots of wildcard matching, the dangers are higher. diff --git a/build/docs/supported-configurations.rst b/build/docs/supported-configurations.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..4df06d6600 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/supported-configurations.rst @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ +Supported build targets +======================= + + .. role:: strikethrough + +There are three tiers of **supported Firefox build targets** at this +time. These tiers represent the shared engineering priorities of the +Mozilla project. + +.. note:: + + Sheriffs are in charge of monitoring the tree. Their definition for tiers + is for automation jobs, which tells a developer what is expected of them when + they land code. This document is about the tiers of supported build targets, + which tells a person compiling/using Firefox what they can expect from Mozilla. + See the `job tier definition <https://wiki.mozilla.org/Sheriffing/Job_Visibility_Policy#Overview_of_the_Job_Visibility_Tiers>`__ for more information. + +.. _tier-1: + +The term **"Tier-1 platform"** refers to those platforms - CPU +architectures and operating systems - that are the primary focus of +Firefox development efforts. Tier-1 platforms are fully supported by +Mozilla's `continuous integration processes <https://treeherder.mozilla.org/>`__ and the +:ref:`Try Server`. Any proposed change to Firefox on these +platforms that results in build failures, test failures, performance +regressions or other major problems **will be reverted immediately**. + + +The **Tier-1 Firefox platforms** and their supported compilers are: + +- Android on Linux x86, x86-64, ARMv7 and ARMv8-A (clang) +- Linux/x86 and x86-64 (gcc and clang) +- macOS 10.12 and later on x86-64 and AArch64 (clang) +- Windows/x86, x86-64 and AArch64 (clang-cl) + +Prior to Firefox 63, Windows/x86 and Windows/x86-64 relied on the MSVC +compiler; from **Firefox 63 onward MSVC is not supported**. Older 32-bit +x86 CPUs without SSE2 instructions such as the Pentium III and Athlon XP +are also **not considered Tier-1 platforms, and are not supported**. +Note also that while Windows/x86 and ARM/AArch64 are supported *as build +targets*, it is not possible to build Firefox *on* Windows/x86 or +Windows/AArch64 systems. + +.. _tier-2: + +**Tier-2 platforms** are actively maintained by the Mozilla community, +though with less rigorous requirements. Proposed changes resulting in +breakage or regressions limited to these platforms **may not immediately +result in reversion**. However, developers who break these platforms are +expected to work with platform maintainers to fix problems, and **may be +required to revert their changes** if a fix cannot be found. + +The **Tier-2 Firefox platforms** and their supported compilers are: + +- Linux/AArch64 (clang) +- Windows/x86 (mingw-clang) - maintained by Tom Ritter and Jacek Caban + - + + - *Note that some features of this platform are disabled, as they + require MS COM or the w32api project doesn't expose the necessary + Windows APIs.* + +.. _tier-3: + +**Tier-3 platforms** have a maintainer or community which attempt to +keep the platform working. These platforms are **not supported by our +continuous integration processes**, and **Mozilla does not routinely +test on these platforms**, nor do we block further development on the +outcomes of those tests. + +At any given time a Firefox built from mozilla-central for these +platforms may or may not work correctly or build at all. + +**Tier-3 Firefox platforms** include: + +- Linux on various CPU architectures including ARM variants not listed + above, PowerPC, and x86 CPUs without SSE2 support - maintained by + various Linux distributions +- FreeBSD/x86, x86-64, Aarch64 (clang) - maintained by Jan Beich +- OpenBSD/x86, x86-64 (clang) - maintained by Landry Breuil +- NetBSD/x86-64 (gcc) - maintained by David Laight +- Solaris/x86-64, sparc64 (gcc) - maintained by Petr Sumbera +- :strikethrough:`Windows/x86-64 (mingw-gcc)` - Unsupported due to + requirements for clang-bindgen + +If you're filing a bug against Firefox on a Tier-3 platform (or any +combination of OS, CPU and compiler not listed above) please bear in +mind that Mozilla developers do not reliably have access to non-Tier-1 +platforms or build environments. To be actionable bug reports against +non-Tier-1 platforms should include as much information as possible to +help the owner of the bug determine the cause of the problem and the +proper solution. If you can provide a patch, a regression range or +assist in verifying that the developer's patches work for your platform, +that would help a lot towards getting your bugs fixed and checked into +the tree. diff --git a/build/docs/telemetry.rst b/build/docs/telemetry.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..a036cd1871 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/telemetry.rst @@ -0,0 +1,393 @@ +.. _buildtelemetry: + +=============== +Build Telemetry +=============== + +The build system (specifically, all the build tooling hooked +up to ``./mach``) has been configured to collect metrics data +points and errors for various build system actions. This data +helps drive team planning for the build team and ensure that +resources are applied to build processes that need them most. +You can opt-in to send telemetry to Mozilla during +``./mach bootstrap`` or by editing your ``.mozbuild/machrc`` +file. + +Telemetry +========= + +The build telemetry schema can be found in-tree under +``python/mozbuild/mozbuild/telemetry.py`` in Voluptuous schema +format. You can use the ``export_telemetry_schema.py`` script in +that same directory to get the schema in JSON-schema format. +Details of the schema are specified below: + +.. _telemetry.json#/: + +:type: ``object`` + +:Required: :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/argv`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/client_id`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/command`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/duration_ms`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/success`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/time` + +**Properties:** :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/argv`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/client_id`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/command`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/duration_ms`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/exception`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/success`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/time` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/argv: + +argv +++++ + +Full mach commandline. If the commandline contains absolute paths they will be sanitized. + +:type: ``array`` + +.. container:: sub-title + + Every element of **argv** is: + +:type: ``string`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts: + +build_opts +++++++++++ + +Selected build options + +:type: ``object`` + +**Properties:** :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/artifact`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/ccache`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/compiler`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/debug`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/icecream`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/opt`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/sccache` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/artifact: + +artifact +######## + +true if --enable-artifact-builds + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/ccache: + +ccache +###### + +true if ccache is in use (--with-ccache) + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/compiler: + +compiler +######## + +The compiler type in use (CC_TYPE) + +**Allowed values:** + +- clang +- clang-cl +- gcc +- msvc + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/debug: + +debug +##### + +true if build is debug (--enable-debug) + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/icecream: + +icecream +######## + +true if icecream in use + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/opt: + +opt +### + +true if build is optimized (--enable-optimize) + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_opts/properties/sccache: + +sccache +####### + +true if ccache in use is sccache + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_attrs: + +build_attrs ++++++++++++ + +Selected runtime attributes of the build + +:type: ``object`` + +**Properties:** :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_attrs/properties/cpu_percent`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/build_attrs/properties/clobber` + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_attrs/properties/cpu_percent: + +cpu_percent +########### + +cpu utilization observed during the build + +:type: ``number`` + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/build_attrs/properties/clobber: + +clobber +####### + +true if the build was a clobber/full build + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/client_id: + +client_id ++++++++++ + +A UUID to uniquely identify a client + +:type: ``string`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/command: + +command ++++++++ + +The mach command that was invoked + +:type: ``string`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/duration_ms: + +duration_ms ++++++++++++ + +Command duration in milliseconds + +:type: ``number`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/exception: + +exception ++++++++++ + +If a Python exception was encountered during the execution of the command, this value contains the result of calling `repr` on the exception object. + +:type: ``string`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed: + +file_types_changed +++++++++++++++++++ + +This array contains a list of objects with {ext, count} properties giving the count of files changed since the last invocation grouped by file type + +:type: ``array`` + +.. container:: sub-title + + Every element of **file_types_changed** is: + +:type: ``object`` + +:Required: :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed/items/properties/count`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed/items/properties/ext` + +**Properties:** :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed/items/properties/count`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed/items/properties/ext` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed/items/properties/count: + +count +##### + +Count of changed files with this extension + +:type: ``number`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/file_types_changed/items/properties/ext: + +ext +### + +File extension + +:type: ``string`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/success: + +success ++++++++ + +true if the command succeeded + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system: + +system +++++++ + +:type: ``object`` + +:Required: :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/os` + +**Properties:** :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/cpu_brand`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/drive_is_ssd`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/logical_cores`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/memory_gb`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/os`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/physical_cores`, :ref:`telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/virtual_machine` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/cpu_brand: + +cpu_brand +######### + +CPU brand string from CPUID + +:type: ``string`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/drive_is_ssd: + +drive_is_ssd +############ + +true if the source directory is on a solid-state disk + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/logical_cores: + +logical_cores +############# + +Number of logical CPU cores present + +:type: ``number`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/memory_gb: + +memory_gb +######### + +System memory in GB + +:type: ``number`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/os: + +os +## + +Operating system + +**Allowed values:** + +- windows +- macos +- linux +- other + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/physical_cores: + +physical_cores +############## + +Number of physical CPU cores present + +:type: ``number`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/system/properties/virtual_machine: + +virtual_machine +############### + +true if the OS appears to be running in a virtual machine + +:type: ``boolean`` + + +.. _telemetry.json#/properties/time: + +time +++++ + +Time at which this event happened + +:type: ``string`` + +:format: ``date-time`` + + +Glean Telemetry +=============== + +In addition to the existing build-specific telemetry, Mozbuild is also reporting data using +`Glean <https://mozilla.github.io/glean/>`_ via :ref:`mach_telemetry`. +The metrics collected are documented :ref:`here<metrics>`. +As Python 2 is phased out, the old telemetry will be replaced by the new Glean implementation. + + +Error Reporting +=============== + +``./mach`` uses `Sentry <https://sentry.io/welcome/>`_ +to automatically report errors to `our issue-tracking dashboard +<https://sentry.prod.mozaws.net/operations/mach/>`_. + +Information captured +++++++++++++++++++++ + +Sentry automatically collects useful information surrounding +the error to help the build team discover what caused the +issue and how to reproduce it. This information includes: + +* Environmental information, such as the computer name, timestamp, Python runtime and Python module versions +* Process arguments +* The stack trace of the error, including contextual information: + + * The data contained in the exception + * Functions and their respective source file names, line numbers + * Variables in each frame +* `Sentry "Breadcrumbs" <https://docs.sentry.io/platforms/python/default-integrations/>`_, + which are important events that have happened which help contextualize the error, such as: + + * An HTTP request has occurred + * A subprocess has been spawned + * Logging has occurred + +Note that file paths may be captured, which include absolute paths (potentially including usernames). diff --git a/build/docs/test_certificates.rst b/build/docs/test_certificates.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..c8394f7785 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/test_certificates.rst @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +.. _test_certificates: + +=============================== +Adding Certificates for Testing +=============================== + +Sometimes we need to write tests for scenarios that require custom client, server or certificate authority (CA) certificates. For that purpose, you can generate such certificates using ``build/pgo/genpgocert.py``. + +The certificate specifications (and key specifications) are located in ``build/pgo/certs/``. + +To add a new **server certificate**, add a ``${cert_name}.certspec`` file to that folder. +If it needs a non-default private key, add a corresponding ``${cert_name}.server.keyspec``. + +For a new **client certificate**, add a ``${cert_name}.client.keyspec`` and corresponding ``${cert_name}.certspec``. + +To add a new **CA**, add a ``${cert_name}.ca.keyspec`` as well as a corresponding ``${cert_name}.certspec`` to that folder. + +.. hint:: + + * The full syntax for .certspec files is documented at https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/security/manager/ssl/tests/unit/pycert.py + + * The full syntax for .keyspec files is documented at https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/security/manager/ssl/tests/unit/pykey.py + +Then regenerate the certificates by running::: + + ./mach python build/pgo/genpgocert.py + +These commands will modify cert9.db and key4.db, and if you have added a .keyspec file will generate a ``{$cert_name}.client`` or ``{$cert_name}.ca`` file. + +**These files need to be committed.** + +If you've created a new server certificate, you probably want to modify ``build/pgo/server-locations.txt`` to add a location with your specified certificate::: + + https://my-test.example.com:443 cert=${cert_name} + +You will need to run ``./mach build`` again afterwards. + +.. important:: + + Make sure to exactly follow the naming conventions and use the same ``cert_name`` in all places diff --git a/build/docs/test_manifests.rst b/build/docs/test_manifests.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..89a7ded2aa --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/test_manifests.rst @@ -0,0 +1,226 @@ +.. _test_manifests: + +============== +Test Manifests +============== + +Many test suites have their test metadata defined in files called +**test manifests**. + +Test manifests are divided into two flavors: :ref:`manifestparser_manifests` +and :ref:`reftest_manifests`. + +Naming Convention +================= + +The build system does not enforce file naming for test manifest files. +However, the following convention is used. + +mochitest.ini + For the *plain* flavor of mochitests. + +chrome.ini + For the *chrome* flavor of mochitests. + +browser.ini + For the *browser chrome* flavor of mochitests. + +a11y.ini + For the *a11y* flavor of mochitests. + +xpcshell.ini + For *xpcshell* tests. + +.. _manifestparser_manifests: + +ManifestParser Manifests +========================== + +ManifestParser manifests are essentially ini files that conform to a basic +set of assumptions. + +The :doc:`reference documentation </mozbase/manifestparser>` +for manifestparser manifests describes the basic format of test manifests. + +In summary, manifests are ini files with section names describing test files:: + + [test_foo.js] + [test_bar.js] + +Keys under sections can hold metadata about each test:: + + [test_foo.js] + skip-if = os == "win" + [test_foo.js] + skip-if = os == "linux" && debug + [test_baz.js] + fail-if = os == "mac" || os == "android" + +There is a special **DEFAULT** section whose keys/metadata apply to all +sections/tests:: + + [DEFAULT] + property = value + + [test_foo.js] + +In the above example, **test_foo.js** inherits the metadata **property = value** +from the **DEFAULT** section. + +Recognized Metadata +------------------- + +Test manifests can define some common keys/metadata to influence behavior. +Those keys are as follows: + +head + List of files that will be executed before the test file. (Used in + xpcshell tests.) + +tail + List of files that will be executed after the test file. (Used in + xpcshell tests.) + +support-files + List of additional files required to run tests. This is typically + defined in the **DEFAULT** section. + + Unlike other file lists, *support-files* supports a globbing mechanism + to facilitate pulling in many files with minimal typing. This globbing + mechanism is activated if an entry in this value contains a ``*`` + character. A single ``*`` will wildcard match all files in a directory. + A double ``**`` will descend into child directories. For example, + ``data/*`` will match ``data/foo`` but not ``data/subdir/bar`` where + ``data/**`` will match ``data/foo`` and ``data/subdir/bar``. + + Support files starting with ``/`` are placed in a root directory, rather + than a location determined by the manifest location. For mochitests, + this allows for the placement of files at the server root. The source + file is selected from the base name (e.g., ``foo`` for ``/path/foo``). + Files starting with ``/`` cannot be selected using globbing. + + Some support files are used by tests across multiple directories. In + this case, a test depending on a support file from another directory + must note that dependency with the path to the required support file + in its own **support-files** entry. These use a syntax where paths + starting with ``!/`` will indicate the beginning of the path to a + shared support file starting from the root of the srcdir. For example, + if a manifest at ``dom/base/test/mochitest.ini`` has a support file, + ``dom/base/test/server-script.sjs``, and a mochitest in + ``dom/workers/test`` depends on that support file, the test manifest + at ``dom/workers/test/mochitest.ini`` must include + ``!/dom/base/test/server-script.sjs`` in its **support-files** entry. + +generated-files + List of files that are generated as part of the build and don't exist in + the source tree. + + The build system assumes that each manifest file, test file, and file + listed in **head**, **tail**, and **support-files** is static and + provided by the source tree (and not automatically generated as part + of the build). This variable tells the build system not to make this + assumption. + + This variable will likely go away sometime once all generated files are + accounted for in the build config. + + If a generated file is not listed in this key, a clobber build will + likely fail. + +dupe-manifest + Record that this manifest duplicates another manifest. + + The common scenario is two manifest files will include a shared + manifest file via the ``[include:file]`` special section. The build + system enforces that each test file is only provided by a single + manifest. Having this key present bypasses that check. + + The value of this key is ignored. + +skip-if + Skip this test if the specified condition is true. + See :ref:`manifest_filter_language`. + + Conditions can be specified on multiple lines, where each line is implicitly + joined by a logical OR (``||``). This makes it easier to add comments to + distinct failures. For example: + + .. parsed-literal:: + + [test_foo.js] + skip-if = + os == "mac" && fission # bug 123 - fails on fission + os == "windows" && debug # bug 456 - hits an assertion + +fail-if + Expect test failure if the specified condition is true. + See :ref:`manifest_filter_language`. + + Conditions can be specified on multiple lines (see ``skip-if``). + +run-sequentially + If present, the test should not be run in parallel with other tests. + + Some test harnesses support parallel test execution on separate processes + and/or threads (behavior varies by test harness). If this key is present, + the test harness should not attempt to run this test in parallel with any + other test. + + By convention, the value of this key is a string describing why the test + can't be run in parallel. + +scheme + Changes the scheme and domain from which the test runs. (Only used in mochitest suites) + + There are two possible values: + - ``http`` (default): The test will run from http://mochi.test:8888 + - ``https``: The test will run from https://example.com:443 + +.. _manifest_filter_language: + +Manifest Filter Language +------------------------ + +Some manifest keys accept a special filter syntax as their values. These +values are essentially boolean expressions that are evaluated at test +execution time. + +The expressions can reference a well-defined set of variables, such as +``os`` and ``debug``. These variables are populated from the +``mozinfo.json`` file. For the full list of available variables, see +the :ref:`mozinfo documentation <mozinfo_attributes>`. + +See +`the source <https://hg.mozilla.org/mozilla-central/file/default/testing/mozbase/manifestparser/manifestparser/manifestparser.py>`_ for the full documentation of the +expression syntax until it is documented here. + +.. todo:: + + Document manifest filter language. + +.. _manifest_file_installation: + +File Installation +----------------- + +Files referenced by manifests are automatically installed into the object +directory into paths defined in +:py:func:`mozbuild.frontend.emitter.TreeMetadataEmitter._process_test_manifest`. + +Relative paths resolving to parent directory (e.g. +``support-files = ../foo.txt`` have special behavior. + +For ``support-files``, the file will be installed to the default destination +for that manifest. Only the file's base name is used to construct the final +path: directories are irrelevant. Files starting with ``/`` are an exception, +these are installed relative to the root of the destination; the base name is +instead used to select the file.. + +For all other entry types, the file installation is skipped. + +.. _reftest_manifests: + +Reftest Manifests +================= + +See `MDN <https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Creating_reftest-based_unit_tests>`_. diff --git a/build/docs/toolchains.rst b/build/docs/toolchains.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..2a2f87c182 --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/toolchains.rst @@ -0,0 +1,220 @@ +.. _build_toolchains: + +=========================== +Creating Toolchain Archives +=========================== + +There are various scripts in the repository for producing archives +of the build tools (e.g. compilers and linkers) required to build. + +Clang and Rust +============== + +To modify the toolchains used for a particular task, you may need several +things: + +1. A `build task`_ + +2. Which uses a toolchain task + + - `clang toolchain`_ + - `rust toolchain`_ + +3. Which uses a git fetch + + - `clang fetch`_ + - (from-source ``dev`` builds only) `rust fetch`_ + +4. (clang only) Which uses a `config json`_ + +5. Which takes patches_ you may want to apply. + +For the most part, you should be able to accomplish what you want by +copying/editing the existing examples in those files. + +.. _build task: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/build/linux.yml#5-45 +.. _clang toolchain: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/toolchain/clang.yml#51-72 +.. _rust toolchain: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/toolchain/rust.yml#57-74 +.. _clang fetch: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/fetch/toolchains.yml#413-418 +.. _rust fetch: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/fetch/toolchains.yml#434-439 +.. _config json: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/build/build-clang/clang-linux64.json +.. _patches: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/build/build-clang/static-llvm-symbolizer.patch + +Clang +----- + +Building clang is handled by `build-clang.py`_, which uses several resources +in the `build-clang`_ directory. Read the `build-clang README`_ for more +details. + +Note for local builds: build-clang.py can be run on developer machines but its +lengthy multi-stage build process is unnecessary for most local development. The +upstream `LLVM Getting Started Guide`_ has instructions on how to build +clang more directly. + +.. _build-clang.py: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/build/build-clang/build-clang.py +.. _build-clang README: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/build/build-clang/README +.. _build-clang: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/build/build-clang/ +.. _LLVM Getting Started Guide: https://llvm.org/docs/GettingStarted.html + +Rust +---- + +Rust builds are handled by `repack_rust.py`_. The primary purpose of +that script is to download prebuilt tarballs from the Rust project. + +It uses the same basic format as `rustup` for specifying the toolchain +(via ``--channel``): + +- request a stable build with ``1.xx.y`` (e.g. ``1.47.0``) +- request a beta build with ``beta-yyyy-mm-dd`` (e.g. ``beta-2020-08-26``) +- request a nightly build with ``nightly-yyyy-mm-dd`` (e.g. ``nightly-2020-08-26``) +- request a build from `Rust's ci`_ with ``bors-$sha`` (e.g. ``bors-796a2a9bbe7614610bd67d4cd0cf0dfff0468778``) +- request a from-source build with ``dev`` + +Rust From Source +---------------- + +As of this writing, from-source builds for Rust are a new feature, and not +used anywhere by default. The feature was added so that we can test patches +to rustc against the tree. Expect things to be a bit hacky and limited. + +Most importantly, building from source requires your toolchain to have a +`fetch of the rust tree`_ as well as `clang and binutils toolchains`_. It is also +recommended to upgrade the worker-type to e.g. ``b-linux-large``. + +Rust's build dependencies are fairly minimal, and it has a sanity check +that should catch any missing or too-old dependencies. See the `Rust README`_ +for more details. + +Patches are set via `the --patch flag`_ (passed via ``toolchain/rust.yml``). +Patch paths are assumed to be relative to ``/build/build-rust/``, and may be +optionally prefixed with ``module-path:`` to specify they apply to that git +submodule in the Rust source. e.g. ``--patch src/llvm-project:mypatch.diff`` +patches rust's llvm with ``/build/build-rust/mypatch.diff``. There are no +currently checked in rust patches to use as an example, but they should be +the same format as `the clang ones`_. + +Rust builds are not currently configurable, and uses a `hardcoded config.toml`_, +which you may need to edit for your purposes. See Rust's `example config`_ for +details/defaults. Note that these options do occasionally change, so be sure +you're using options for the version you're targeting. For instance, there was +a large change around Rust ~1.48, and the currently checked in config was for +1.47, so it may not work properly when building the latest version of Rust. + +Rust builds are currently limited to targeting only the host platform. +Although the machinery is in place to request additional targets, the +cross-compilation fails for some unknown reason. We have not yet investigated +what needs to be done to get this working. + +While Rust generally maintains a clean tree for building ``rustc`` and +``cargo``, other tools like ``rustfmt`` or ``miri`` are allowed to be +transiently broken. This means not every commit in the Rust tree will be +able to build the `tools we require`_. + +Although ``repack_rust`` considers ``rustfmt`` an optional package, Rust builds +do not currently implement this and will fail if ``rustfmt`` is busted. Some +attempt was made to work around it, but `more work is needed`_. + +.. _Rust's ci: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/77875#issuecomment-736092083 +.. _repack_rust.py: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/source/taskcluster/scripts/misc/repack_rust.py +.. _fetch of the rust tree: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/toolchain/rust.yml#69-71 +.. _clang and binutils toolchains: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/ci/toolchain/rust.yml#72-74 +.. _the --patch flag: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/scripts/misc/repack_rust.py#667-675 +.. _the clang ones: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/build/build-clang/static-llvm-symbolizer.patch +.. _Rust README: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/#building-on-a-unix-like-system +.. _hardcoded config.toml: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/scripts/misc/repack_rust.py#384-421 +.. _example config: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/blob/b7ebc6b0c1ba3c27ebb17c0b496ece778ef11e18/config.toml.example +.. _tools we require: https://searchfox.org/mozilla-central/rev/168c45a7acc44e9904cfd4eebcb9eb080e05699c/taskcluster/scripts/misc/repack_rust.py#398 +.. _more work is needed: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/issues/79249 + + +Windows +======= + +The ``build/windows_toolchain.py`` script is used to build and manage +Windows toolchain archives containing Visual Studio executables, SDKs, +etc. + +The way Firefox build automation works is an archive containing the +toolchain is produced and uploaded to an internal Mozilla server. The +build automation will download, verify, and extract this archive before +building. The archive is self-contained so machines don't need to install +Visual Studio, SDKs, or various other dependencies. Unfortunately, +Microsoft's terms don't allow Mozilla to distribute this archive +publicly. However, the same tool can be used to create your own copy. + +Configuring Your System +----------------------- + +It is **highly** recommended to perform this process on a fresh installation +of Windows 7 or 10 (such as in a VM). Installing all updates through +Windows Update is not only acceptable - it is encouraged. Although it +shouldn't matter. + +Next, install Visual Studio 2017 Community. The download link can be found +at https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/community/. +Be sure to follow these install instructions: + +1. Choose a ``Custom`` installation and click ``Next`` +2. Select ``Programming Languages`` -> ``Visual C++`` (make sure all sub items are + selected) +3. Under ``Windows and Web Development`` uncheck everything except + ``Universal Windows App Development Tools`` and the items under it + (should be ``Tools (1.3.1)...`` and the ``Windows 10 SDK``). + +Once Visual Studio 2017 Community has been installed, from a checkout +of mozilla-central, run something like the following to produce a ZIP +archive:: + + $ ./mach python build/windows_toolchain.py create-zip vs2017_15.8.4 + +The produced archive will be the argument to ``create-zip`` + ``.zip``. + +Firefox for Android with Gradle +=============================== + +To build Firefox for Android with Gradle in automation, archives +containing both the Gradle executable and a Maven repository +comprising the exact build dependencies are produced and uploaded to +an internal Mozilla server. The build automation will download, +verify, and extract these archive before building. These archives +provide a self-contained Gradle and Maven repository so that machines +don't need to fetch additional Maven dependencies at build time. +(Gradle and the downloaded Maven dependencies can be both +redistributed publicly.) + +Archiving the Gradle executable is straight-forward, but archiving a +local Maven repository is not. Therefore a toolchain job exists for +producing the required archives, `android-gradle-dependencies`. The +job runs in a container based on a custom Docker image and spawns a +Sonatype Nexus proxying Maven repository process in the background. +The job builds Firefox for Android using Gradle and the in-tree Gradle +configuration rooted at ``build.gradle``. The spawned proxying Maven +repository downloads external dependencies and collects them. After +the Gradle build completes, the job archives the Gradle version used +to build, and the downloaded Maven repository, and exposes them as +Task Cluster artifacts. + +To update the version of Gradle in the archive produced, update +``gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties``. Be sure to also update +the SHA256 checksum to prevent poisoning the build machines! + +To update the versions of Gradle dependencies used, update +``dependencies`` sections in the in-tree Gradle configuration rooted +at ``build.gradle``. Once you are confident your changes build +locally, push a fresh build to try. The `android-gradle-dependencies` +toolchain should run automatically, fetching your new dependencies and +wiring them into the appropriate try build jobs. + +To update the version of Sonatype Nexus, update the `sonatype-nexus` +`fetch` task definition. + +To modify the Sonatype Nexus configuration, typically to proxy a new +remote Maven repository, modify +`taskcluster/scripts/misc/android-gradle-dependencies/nexus.xml`. + +There is also a toolchain job that fetches the Android SDK and related +packages. To update the versions of packaged fetched, modify +`python/mozboot/mozboot/android-packages.txt` and update the various +in-tree versions accordingly. diff --git a/build/docs/unified-builds.rst b/build/docs/unified-builds.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..876ef9544c --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/unified-builds.rst @@ -0,0 +1,43 @@ +.. _unified-builds: + +============== +Unified Builds +============== + +The Firefox build system uses the technique of "unified builds" (or elsewhere +called "`unity builds <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_build>`_") to +improve compilation performance. Rather than compiling source files individually, +groups of files in the same directory are concatenated together, then compiled once +in a single batch. + +Unified builds can be configured using the ``UNIFIED_SOURCES`` variable in ``moz.build`` files. + +.. _unified_build_compilation_failures: + +Why are there unrelated compilation failures when I change files? +================================================================= + +Since multiple files are concatenated together in a unified build, it's possible for a change +in one file to cause the compilation of a seemingly unrelated file to fail. +This is usually because source files become implicitly dependent on each other for: + +* ``#include`` statements +* ``using namespace ...;`` statements +* Other symbol imports or definitions + +One of the more common cases of unexpected failures are when source code files are added or +removed, and the "chunking" is changed. There's a limit on the number of files that are combined +together for a single compilation, so sometimes the addition of a new file will cause another one +to be bumped into a different chunk. If that other chunk doesn't meet the implicit requirements +of the bumped file, there will be a tough-to-debug compilation failure. + +Other notes: +============ + +* Some IDEs (such as VSCode with ``clangd``) build files in standalone mode, so they may show + more failures than a ``mach build``. +* The amount of files per chunk can be adjusted in ``moz.build`` files with the + ``FILES_PER_UNIFIED_FILE`` variable. Note that changing the chunk size can introduce + compilation failures as described :ref:`above<unified_build_compilation_failures>`. +* We are happy to accept patches that fix problematic unified build chunks (such as by adding + includes or namespace annotations). diff --git a/build/docs/visualstudio.rst b/build/docs/visualstudio.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..3fbf28e94b --- /dev/null +++ b/build/docs/visualstudio.rst @@ -0,0 +1,100 @@ +.. _build_visualstudio: + +====================== +Visual Studio Projects +====================== + +The build system contains alpha support for generating Visual Studio +project files to aid with development. + +To generate Visual Studio project files, you'll need to have a configured tree:: + + mach configure + +(If you have built recently, your tree is already configured.) + +Then, simply generate the Visual Studio build backend:: + + mach build-backend -b VisualStudio + +If all goes well, the path to the generated Solution (``.sln``) file should be +printed. You should be able to open that solution with Visual Studio 2010 or +newer. + +Currently, output is hard-coded to the Visual Studio 2010 format. If you open +the solution in a newer Visual Studio release, you will be prompted to upgrade +projects. Simply click through the wizard to do that. + +Structure of Solution +===================== + +The Visual Studio solution consists of hundreds of projects spanning thousands +of files. To help with organization, the solution is divided into the following +trees/folders: + +Build Targets + This folder contains common build targets. The *full* project is used to + perform a full build. The *binaries* project is used to build just binaries. + The *visual-studio* project can be built to regenerate the Visual Studio + project files. + + Performing the *clean* action on any of these targets will clean the + *entire* build output. + +Binaries + This folder contains common binaries that can be executed from within + Visual Studio. If you are building the Firefox desktop application, + the *firefox* project will launch firefox.exe. You probably want one of + these set to your startup project. + +Libraries + This folder contains entries for each static library that is produced as + part of the build. These roughly correspond to each directory in the tree + containing C/C++. e.g. code from ``dom/base`` will be contained in the + ``dom_base`` project. + + These projects don't do anything when built. If you build a project here, + the *binaries* build target project is built. + +Updating Project Files +====================== + +As you pull and update the source tree, your Visual Studio files may fall out +of sync with the build configuration. The tree should still build fine from +within Visual Studio. But source files may be missing and IntelliSense may not +have the proper build configuration. + +To account for this, you'll want to periodically regenerate the Visual Studio +project files. You can do this within Visual Studio by building the +``Build Targets :: visual-studio`` project or by running +``mach build-backend -b VisualStudio`` from the command line. + +Currently, regeneration rewrites the original project files. **If you've made +any customizations to the solution or projects, they will likely get +overwritten.** We would like to improve this user experience in the +future. + +Moving Project Files Around +=========================== + +The produced Visual Studio solution and project files should be portable. +If you want to move them to a non-default directory, they should continue +to work from wherever they are. If they don't, please file a bug. + +Invoking mach through Visual Studio +=================================== + +It's possible to build the tree via Visual Studio. There is some light magic +involved here. + +Alongside the Visual Studio project files is a batch script named ``mach.bat``. +This batch script sets the environment variables present in your *MozillaBuild* +development environment at the time of Visual Studio project generation +and invokes *mach* inside an msys shell with the arguments specified to the +batch script. This script essentially allows you to invoke mach commands +inside the MozillaBuild environment without having to load MozillaBuild. + +While projects currently only utilize the ``mach build`` command, the batch +script does not limit it's use: any mach command can be invoked. Developers +may abuse this fact to add custom projects and commands that invoke other +mach commands. |