[pocket-linux] Problems compiling static BASH on FC3 (& fix!)

[Ian McCrum]

I am using Fedora core 3, kept up to date as at mid april.

When I try to compile BASH statically as per section 2.3.9 in Pocket 
Linux 3-1 I get an error.

The fix for this is to use the flags below, these add two extra options 
to ./configure, --disable-nls disables international language support, 
the README in the BASH tar file mentions it needing dynamic libraries. 
The --without-bash-malloc option forces gcc to use the glibc malloc 
routines instead of the ones built in to BASH - there was a warning in 
the Linux-From-Scratch notes that gave me the clue to that one.
- - - - 8< - - - - 8< - - - - 8< - - - - 8<- - - - 8< - - - - 8<- - - - 
8< - - - - 8<

2.3.9
...

bash# cd /usr/src/bash-3.0
bash# export CC="gcc -mcpu=i386"
bash# ./configure --enable-static-link \
  --enable-minimal-config --host=i386-pc-linux-gnu \
  --disable-nls  --without-bash-malloc
bash# make
bash# strip bash

- - - - 8< - - - - 8< - - - - 8< - - - - 8<- - - - 8< - - - 
I also found other alternatives such as SASH a statically compiled BASH and busybox, but there is 
more education in doing it the pocket linux guide way.

I have used Pocket Linunx guide to give my students a better (and quick) understanding of how Linux works, 
from switch on.  It is an excellent guide.  It complements nicely Linux_from_scratch, which is more 
interesting but takes a long time to work through.

We used Kernel 2.6 and had a lot of bother getting a Kernel to fit on a 
floppy - at least a kernel with much functionality. In hindsight I think 
I would have recommended they use a 2.4 kernel.  It would also be useful 
if someone could post a .config with more explanation.

Regards to the list, and David, good job!
Ian McCrum