ncurses @6.0: clang: warning: argument unused during compilation:fatal error: ar: can't find or exec: /opt/local/bin/ranlib (No such file or directory)

[RobK88]

When I try to update nurses from version 5.9 to the latest version 6.0, the build fails. I have tried cleaning the port and reinstalling. Port still fails. I have attached the log file.

sudo port clean ncurses
--->  Cleaning ncurses

sudo port -t install ncurses
--->  Fetching distfiles for ncurses
--->  Verifying checksums for ncurses
--->  Extracting ncurses
--->  Applying patches to ncurses
--->  Configuring ncurses
Warning: The following existing files were hidden from the build system by trace mode:
  /opt/local/bin/ar
  /opt/local/bin/ctags
  /opt/local/bin/gawk
  /opt/local/bin/ld
  /opt/local/bin/nm
  /opt/local/bin/pkg-config
  /opt/local/bin/ranlib
  /opt/local/bin/tic
  /opt/local/include/curses.h
  /opt/local/include/termcap.h
--->  Building ncurses
Warning: The following existing files were hidden from the build system by trace mode:
  /opt/local/bin/ar
  /opt/local/bin/ranlib
Error: org.macports.build for port ncurses returned: command execution failed
Please see the log file for port ncurses for details:
    /opt/local/var/macports/logs/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_devel_ncurses/ncurses/main.log
To report a bug, follow the instructions in the guide:
    http://guide.macports.org/#project.tickets
Error: Processing of port nurses failed

[RobK88]

Cc Me!

[Ionic (Mihai Moldovan)]

Please don't CC yourself. Reporters are automatically notified of changes.

openmaintainer and nomaintainer are pseudo addresses, omit them when CC'ing maintainers.

Don't set random keywords.

[Ionic (Mihai Moldovan)]

MacPort's ranlib is being used opportunistically, although trace mode is in use.

[jmroot (Joshua Root)]

Replying to ionic@…:

MacPort's ranlib is being used opportunistically, although trace mode is in use.

I don’t know about “opportunistically”, it depends which ar is being used.

Given that trace mode is designed to make stuff fail and is known to be imperfect, try again without it. This is pretty clearly not a case of underspecified dependencies.

[RobK88]

ncuses still fails to build when I try to install the port WITHOUT trace mode.

sudo port clean ncurses
Password:
--->  Cleaning ncurses
Grinchs-Mac-Pro:~ grinch$ 
Grinchs-Mac-Pro:~ grinch$ 
Grinchs-Mac-Pro:~ grinch$ sudo port install ncurses
--->  Fetching distfiles for ncurses
--->  Verifying checksums for ncurses
--->  Extracting ncurses
--->  Applying patches to ncurses
--->  Configuring ncurses
--->  Building ncurses
Error: org.macports.build for port ncurses returned: command execution failed
Please see the log file for port ncurses for details:
    /opt/local/var/macports/logs/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_devel_ncurses/ncurses/main.log
To report a bug, follow the instructions in the guide:
    http://guide.macports.org/#project.tickets
Error: Processing of port ncurses failed

I have attached the log file.

P.S. I am running Lion 10.7.5 on Intel Mac Pro Desktop Tower.

[jmroot (Joshua Root)]

OK, so same as #48627 (newer, but shows the problem more clearly).