[fpc-pascal]More BeOS fun..

[Full_Name]

I just got FPC to link against a C shared object that I created natively on 
BeOS. This is pretty amazing as it worked FIRST TIME!! (lol)

Just to share the info..

Created a simple Shared Object in the BeIDE.. consisted of the following:

/* begin libtest.c */

#define BUILDING_LIB 1
#include "libtest.h"

int TestFunc(void)
{
  return 20; //nominal value.. could be anything..
};

/* end libtest.c */


/* begin libtest.h */

//conditional defines for building shared object/header
//I borrowed this from a tutorial on the 'net..

#if BUILDING_LIB
#define UGLY_IMPEXP     __declspec(dllexport)
#else
#define UGLY_IMPEXP     __declspec(dllimport)
#end

//the function..

int UGLY_IMPEXP TestFunc(void);

/* end libtest.h */

Then I wrote an import unit:

{* begin import unit *}

unit libtest;

interface

function TestFunc: integer; external 'libtest.so';

implementation

end.

{* end import unit *}

Then a little test proggy:

{* begin test proggy *}

program testlib; {original name I know ;) }

uses
  libtest;

begin
  if TestFunc = 20 then writeln('It works')
  else writeln('who knows?!?!');
end.

{* end test proggy *}

Compile with the folowing script:

(UNIT_PATH = path to the compiled units, eg './units/beos')

ppc386 -Cn -FuUNIT_PATH testlib.pas

gcc UNIT_PATH/sysbeos.o UNIT_PATH/prt0.o libtest.so testlib.o -otestlib

//

Does anybody have any ideas on how to take GCC out of the loop?? I'm guessing 
that there must be a way... either that or I'll symlink GCC into a nicer 
looking form ;)

I'm going to look into writing a *very* simple flattened API a-la Kylix/QT for 
BeOS in the next few weeks. (always loved BeOS ;).. I'm looking into finding a 
simple shared library that implements a well thought out and simple to 
use 'revised' BeOS GUI Wrapper. If anyone knows of one.. please let me know. I 
just want something that will avoid all the additional gumpf that BeOS needs to 
be done behind the scenes (simple forms, buttons, text/edit boxes, checks, 
combos etc.. nothing too fancy.) Probably end up learning the BeOS API though!!
I'll wait for FPC to link against C++ Shared Libraries before I do anything 
spectacular ;)

Please feedback..

Matt