[Biopython-dev] Re: [BioPython] Compiling Bio.PDB.mmCIF.MMCIFlex on Windows

[Peter]

Peter wrote:
>> First of all, running "setup.py build" doesn't seem to call flex.
 >> For example, it doesn't regenerate lex.yy.c if I delete it
 >> before hand.

Thomas Hamelryck wrote:
> It's not meant to: lex.yy.c is distributed as part of
> biopython. You just need the Flex libraries to compile it.

OK - I was unclear on this.

> Anyways, I've commented out the mmCif module.
> People who need it can uncomment the relevant lines
> in setup.py.

Seems like a good compromise for now (unless someone wants to contribute 
a patch for setup.py to check if flex is installed).

As lex.yy.c is created by flex, would you agree the problems compiling 
this file with MSVC are a flex problem?  e.g. the #include <unistd.h>

What about the linker problem (seen with by me with MSVC, and by Michiel 
with cygwin gcc) not finding the flex library?  Might this just be a 
path issue?

It would be nice if we could get the module to work on Windows, at least 
for people with suitable compilers.

Peter