Building Boost for ARM64 and Packaging (Document Generated for Developers at Aupera Tech)

This guide provides instructions for building the Boost C++ Libraries for ARM64 architecture and packaging them into a Debian or RPM package.

This procedure has been tested for the K260 SOM Device using this SDK: Vitis-AI 2.5 SDK.

Prerequisites

• Access to an ARM64 architecture environment or a cross-compilation setup.
• Suitable for use with SDKs for cross-compilation on v205, SBC, SOM, etc.

Step 1: Cloning Boost

Clone the Boost repository:

git clone --recursive git@github.com:auperatech/boost_aupera.git
cd boost

Find the commit for the version you need using the tags from the original repo and checkout to the appropiate commit number.

git checkout #commit_number

Step 2: Building Boost for ARM64

1. Bootstrap Boost:

   ./bootstrap.sh

2. Set up Cross-Compilation Environment (if needed): Update the user-config.jam file with the appropriate cross-compilation toolset. Example for Xilinx ARM64:

   echo "using gcc : xilinx : aarch64-xilinx-linux-g++ : <cxxflags>--sysroot=/som_sdk_vitis2.5/sysroots/cortexa72-cortexa53-xilinx-linux <linkflags>--sysroot=/som_sdk_vitis2.5/sysroots/cortexa72-cortexa53-xilinx-linux" >> tools/build/example/user-config.jam

   Make sure SYSTROOT is set to corss-compilation systemroot. For Aupera developers if STAGING_DIR just run the following command:

    export SYSROOT=$STAGING_DIR
   

3. Build Boost Libraries:

    ./b2 toolset=gcc-xilinx architecture=arm address-model=64 link=shared --with-system --with-thread --with-date_time --with-regex --with-serialization --with-filesystem

Step 3: Creating a Debian or RPM Package

Debian Package

1. Create Package Directory Structure:

   mkdir -p my_boost_deb_package/DEBIAN
   mkdir -p my_boost_deb_package/usr/lib
   mkdir -p my_boost_deb_package/usr/include

2. Copy Built Files:

   cp -R /path/to/boost/stage/lib/*.so* my_boost_deb_package/usr/lib/
   cp -R /path/to/boost/boost my_boost_deb_package/usr/include/

3. Create control File: Inside my_boost_deb_package/DEBIAN, create a control file with package metadata. Example:

   Package: boost1.77.0-aarch64-xilinx
   Version: 1.77.0
   Section: libs
   Priority: optional
   Architecture: arm64
   Depends: libc6 (>= 2.17), libgcc1 (>= 1:3.0), libstdc++6 (>= 5.2)
   Maintainer: Your Name <your.email@example.com>
   Description: Boost C++ Libraries 1.77.0 for ARM64
   The Boost project provides free peer-reviewed portable C++ source libraries.
   The emphasis is on portable libraries which work well with the C++ Standard Library.

4. Build the Package:

   dpkg-deb --build my_boost_deb_package

5. Install and Test: (on the target board)

   sudo dpkg -i my_boost_deb_package.deb

RPM Package

1. Set up RPM Build Environment: Follow your distribution's guide to set up an RPM build environment.

2. Copy the Files to the Build Environment: Place the Boost library files and headers in the appropriate directories in the build environment.

3. Create a Spec File: Create an RPM spec file with the necessary metadata and build instructions.

4. Build the RPM Package: Use rpmbuild to build the RPM package.

5. Install and Test:

   sudo rpm -i my_boost_rpm_package.rpm

Notes

• The instructions for RPM packaging are general. Refer to specific RPM build guidelines for detailed steps.
• Ensure you have the necessary permissions and tools installed for building and packaging.