RFE: apache2 and other ports won't install as non-root users

[plambert@…]

Installed macports from source with --disable-launchd-support and tried to install apache2. The install failed as follows:

--->  Creating systemstarter control script
Error: Target com.apple.destroot returned: could not set owner for file "/ngs/lpp/macports/var/db/dports/build/_ngs_lpp_macports_var_db_dports_sources_rsync.rsync.darwinports.org_dpupdate_dports_www_apache2/work/destroot/Library/StartupItems/apache2": not owner
Warning: the following items did not execute (for apache2): com.apple.activate com.apple.destroot com.apple.install
Error: Status 1 encountered during processing.

There should either be a variant to each port with a startupitem to not create it, or better, 'port' should not attempt to chown startupitems when it's not running as root and not installing as root.

[plambert@…]

It looks like the right place to fix this is portstartupitem.tcl.

Ideally, I'd like to have "port install foo" still create the startup script (rcng, systemstarter, or launchd, doesn't matter) but put it in the ${prefix} tree with no special permissions.

But I'm going to try to come up with an interim patch now that just avoids creating startupitems altogether. Hopefully I can figure out how!

[plambert@…]

OK, I created a (very minor) patch to allow a startupitem type of "none."

No patch yet for documentation, etc. I'll try to get that done soon. Once it's done, I'll upload it here.

[imajes@…]

accepting ticket. let me know when you patch it and i'll test&apply

[ryandesign@…]

FYI: A +no_startupitem variant was added to apache2 in r22490.