How to install Boost library? How to add library to project?

[aret777]

I tried to follow, but I cant select Subproject

from this part:
3. In the Name field, give a name for the library. For example, mylib.
4. Follow the instructions of the wizard until you get to the Project Management dialog. In the Add as a subproject to project list, select a project. For example, myapp.
Its just grey

[mzimmers]

That screen is just for version control. Hit "Finish" and let's see what happens.

[aret777]

Okay, it created new Library Project

But when I try to do next steps:

5. In the Projects view, right-click the project name to open the context menu and select Add Library > Internal Library > Next.
6. In the Library field, select mylib, and then select Next.
I cant select Library, there is none

[mzimmers]

This post is deleted!

[aret777]

Its not working.
Here, I try to add External library:
I click on Browse button, opens Choose File window, but I cant select anything inside the library folder.
If I try to add Internal library:
I cant select Library, I can only assign "Include path" parameter, but I cant click on Next...

Or I need to follow this guide?
https://doc.qt.io/qt-6/qmake-project-files.html#declaring-other-libraries
Declaring Other Libraries part?

[mzimmers]

@aret777 that's what I'd do -- the equivalent of this:

LIBS += -L/usr/local/lib -lmath

In your project file.

EDIT:

Also, are you trying to add the library for all platforms? And what is in your bin.v2 folder?

[aret777]

You mean I need to write like this?

All platforms? Didnt understood the questions. I need library only for Desktop development, if that you mean, not mobile or ios.

bin.v2 folder was created when I tried to install library from command line, the first screenshot of this topic.
I used: ./bootstrap.sh --prefix=/home/user/Documents/BoostLibrary
then: ./b2
and it created this folder

[mzimmers]

@aret777 look towards the bottom of the screenshot you posted of your boost install. It tells you what library path you need to add to your linker (which means you add it in your .pro file). You're not adding that path.

Also, please get in the habit of posting images inline rather than links to them. Thanks.

[aret777]

Like this?

[mzimmers]

@aret777 that looks better. What results are you getting now?

[aret777]

Well, I tried to insert library headers, but it says "no such file or directory"

[mzimmers]

@aret777 OK, that's because you added the library (the .so/.a) file, but you didn't add an entry for the header files.

I have to log off now (Christmas dinner!), but I'll try to check in later. Another entry to your .pro file should get you there.

[aret777]

Well, I tried different approaches, different paths, but seems I am doing something wrong

Or "Another entry to my .pro file" means something different?

[mzimmers]

@aret777 sorry I wasn't clear. From what I can se, you need to do the following:

1. remove the 2nd LIBS line
2. remove whatever line is causing your Boost project file to show up.
3. Add a line like this:

INCLUDEPATH += /home/user/Documents/BoostLibrary

[aret777]

@mzimmers
like this? I compile, nothing changes

Or, maybe... I dont need to add .hpp file to include library to project? But I tried now to include .so and .a files - no effect...

Edit: I found the way to include .hpp files! But it gaves other errors...

[mzimmers]

No, something's still wrong with your .pro file. You need to get rid of that entry for the BoostLinkingTest.pro file.

EDIT:
disregard that last line.

May I see the complete contents of your .pro file?

[aret777]

@mzimmers Its same from the beggining. I created now new project just for test, but same errors:

[mzimmers]

My bad...I gave you bad advice on the LIBS entry. You need to specify the full path to the library you want to use. There may be a way to wildcard that; I'll do some looking. In the meantime, if you know specifically which boost libraries you need, modify your LIBS entry to contain the full path to those libraries.

EDIT:

Look at the LIBS entry on this page for how to explicitly add libraries to your project.

[aret777]

@mzimmers Okay, if it will work, its fine.
But what file I need then to add to LIBS?

LIBS += /home/user/Documents/BoostLibrary/stage/lib/libboost_program_options.a
LIBS += /home/user/Documents/BoostLibrary/stage/lib/libboost_program_options.so
LIBS += /home/user/Documents/BoostLibrary/stage/lib/libboost_program_options.so.1.81.0
And, how to link 2 libraries? Just to repeat LIBS+= "path" again?

And just for curiosity - I am doing tutorial with that boost library, it says:

Remember that the Boost.ProgramOptions library consists of more than just header files, so
Therefore, your program must link with the libboost_program_options library.
We did linkage?

[mzimmers]

You should only need one of those libraries. I'm working from memory, so you might want to double-check me, but an .so library is a dynamic library, while a .a is a static library. The one with a specific version number appears to be the actual library, while libboost_program_options.so is a link (so when you update boost, you don't have to rebuild your project. I'd use the link in your LIBS statement.

When you want to add multiple libraries, you can either have multiple LIBS statements (just remember to use "+=" or the second LIBS statement will undo the first), or you can concatenate the needed libs in one LIBS statement.