[Magic-dev] Keeping multiple versions of Magic active

[R. Timothy Edwards]

Dear Graham,

>    I'd like to keep multiple versions of Magic active. With other programs I do
> this by say renaming magic to magic_7.4.44 and linking magic to this version.
> By changing the link I change the magic executable.
> 
>    But the magic executable is the same and calls other programs and libs.
> What's the best way to keep multiple versions around?

I keep separate active versions by putting the one I normally use in the
default /usr/local/ location, which I put the alternative one in
/home/tim/cad/.  I do this by specifying:

	./configure --prefix=/home/tim/cad

I specifically *don't* put this directory in my (tcsh) search path, so
there's no confusion about search order when looking for the "magic" shell
script, but instead type the full pathname /home/tim/cad/bin/magic when
I want to run the alternative version.  The prefix is compiled into the
program as the default location for finding runtime files, so the
versions will always be internally consistent.

					Regards,
					Tim

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| Dr. R. Timothy Edwards (Tim)   | email: tim at opencircuitdesign.com    |
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