Tracking ticket for Galois `new-build` requirements

[acfoltzer]

I've been gathering assessments and feedback about the new-build features from my colleagues here at Galois. This ticket tracks the issues that we've found are particularly relevant for us, and that would need to be resolved before we can adopt new-build for most of our projects.

This is not meant to be exhaustive, or meant to imply that other issues are not important; this is just a scratchpad that'll evolve as I gather more feedback. Usernames in parentheses are the owners of this particular ticket from the Galois side, even when that's different from the assignee.

Must resolve

These are the features that currently prevent us from adopting new-build on one or more projects:

• Dependency executables aren't in PATH #3417: Dependency executables aren't in PATH
• [nix-local-build] Support --prefix, --datadir, etc #3586: Support --prefix, --datadir, etc
• How do I haddock with new-build? #3535: How do I haddock with new-build?
• [nix-local-build] new-run, new-test, new-bench, new-exec #3638: (@dmwit)
  • new-run
  • new-test
  • new-bench
  • new-exec
• Nix-style builds need to install data files for inplace builds #4120: data files for inplace builds

Nice to resolve

Not showstoppers, but necessary to make it worth switching from an existing system:

• Support non-Hackage dependencies #2189: Support non-Hackage dependencies
• [nix-local-build] new-install interface for installing executables #3332: new-install interface for installing executables (@dmwit)
  • nonlocal
  • local
• [nix-local-build] Garbage collecting the store #3333: Garbage collecting the store (@dmwit)
• Add flag to build all packages in project with new-build #3391: Add flag to build all packages in project with new-build
• new-build silent failure on zip-archive-0.3.0.2 #3394: new-build silent failure on zip-archive-0.3.0.2
• [nix-local-build] Replacement needed for cabal copy #3473: Replacement needed for cabal copy
• Add flag to new-configure for adding extra packages to cabal.project.local #3585: Add flag to new-configure for adding extra packages to cabal.project.local (@aisamanra)
• [nix-local-build] Allow specifying freeze file for other commands #3587: Allow specifying freeze file for other commands

Bonus

Not necessarily specific new-build, but would be of great utility for adopters if we'll already be working in the neighborhood:

• build Setup.hs with local compiler when cross-compiling #1493: build Setup.hs with local compiler when cross-compiling (@Ericson2314 laying the groundwork)

[23Skidoo]

/cc @dcoutts

[ezyang]

@acfoltzer I posted work arounds for #3473 and #3535 and a work plan for #3417.

[dcoutts]

@acfoltzer this is very useful to help prioritise, thanks for taking the time to try it out.

[hvr]

@acfoltzer Just wondering, do you really not miss/need new-test/new-bench/new-run? :-)

[acfoltzer]

@dcoutts: glad it's helpful, it is for us as well!

@hvr: ha, what an omission! Is there an issue for those yet? Some of the feedback in my inbox this morning has some ideas about particular interfaces for these, so I'd like to get that written up.

[hvr]

@acfoltzer I couldn't find one, please create one or more issues to dump your ideas there! :-)

[dcoutts]

Note to self: write up ticket on locking in the store to allow concurrent installs without corrupting the store.

Update: #3741

[dcoutts]

@aisamanra btw if you're hacking on things, you're very welcome to join #hackage and chat with us.

[dagit]

Looks like we also need: #4120