Difference between revisions of "FPMake"

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== Introduction ==
+
{{fpmake}}
This page summarizes all available knowledge on FPMake. FPMake is a pascal based build system developed for and distributed with FPC. It is possible to use FPMake with non FPC development related projects as a replacement for Make or other build systems (like cons, scons, etc).
 
  
It is also meant to replace the [[Fpcmake]]/Make combination used in existing FPC installations (e.g. FPC 2.6).
+
'''FPMake''' is a build-system for Pascal code specifically. It can be compared with other build systems like Make, cons, scons, etc.  
  
See also [[fppkg]].
+
With FPMake the code is split up into packages. A FPMake-package can contain units, binaries, examples and documentation. Each package can depend on other packages, in which case a package can use the units of it's dependences. FPMake uses two different locations to search for packages, a system-wide (global) and a local location. By default the global location points to the location of the fpc-installation, while the local location is user-specific.
  
fpmake standardizes the building by defining some limits. For example:
+
Some parts of fpc itself are compiled using FPMake. (The packages fastcgi and fcl-web in fpc 2.6 and all packages, utilities and the ide in fpc 2.7 and up)
*The unit output directory can not be changed. It is always units/''CPU''-''OS'' (e.g. units/i386-win32). You can only change the install directory.
 
  
== Configuration ==
+
The packages-manager [[fppkg]] can be used to manage the FPMake packages and to install them from a remote repository.
  
In general the fpmake system scans the places typically used for fpc installations. In the case that fpmake doesn't find the FPC directory, you'll get an error like:
 
  
Could not find unit directory for dependency package "rtl"
+
__TOC__
  
In such case, set the FPCDIR environment variable to the base dir of the FPC installation, e.g.:
+
== How does it work ==
 +
FPMake works with Pascal-applications called fpmake, of which each can compile and install one or more FPMake-packages. All settings, location of the sources and instructions are defined inside the source of this fpmake-executable. This source-file is normally saved with the name fpmake.pp. The fpmake.pp is compiled into the fpmake-executable, and this executable can build and install the final packages.
  
  export FPCDIR=~/src/lib/fpc/2.3.1
+
== Building FPMake packages ==
or
+
The easiest is to use [[fppkg]] to build a FPMake package. But it can also be done manually. Locate the sources of the package you want to install and the fpmake.pp file. Now compile the fpmake.pp file:
  set FPCDIR=C:\lazarus\fpc\2.4.3\
+
 
 +
fpc fpmake.pp
 +
 
 +
Typical output looks like:
 +
 
 +
Free Pascal Compiler version 2.7.1 [2014/11/26] for i386
 +
Copyright (c) 1993-2014 by Florian Klaempfl and others
 +
Target OS: Darwin for i386
 +
  Compiling fpmake.pp
 +
Assembling (pipe) fpmake.s
 +
Linking fpmake
 +
203 lines compiled, 3.6 sec
 +
 
 +
Now run the new fpmake(.exe)-executable to build the package(s). This example only contains one package.
 +
 
 +
On unices or alike:
 +
./fpmake build --globalunitdir=/usr/local/lib/fpc/2.7.1
 +
 
 +
On Windows or alike:
 +
  fpmake.exe build --globalunitdir=c:\pp
 +
 
 +
Typical output looks like:
 +
Start compiling package fcl-base for target i386-darwin.
 +
      Compiling src/ascii85.pp
 +
      Compiling src/avl_tree.pp
 +
      Compiling src/base64.pp
 +
      Compiling src/fpmimetypes.pp
 +
[100%] Compiled package fcl-base
  
This can also be useful if you have to disambiguate over multiple FPC installations.
+
The --globalunitdir parameter gives the location of the already installed global packages. This way FPMake can find the packages that this package depends on. When there is a second location where packages are installed, in addition the --localunitdir parameter can be used.
  
== Basics ==
+
If you want to know which path you have to use for the --global(local)unitdir parameter, it's the directory which contains a directory called 'fpmkinst'.
  
FPC 2.2 and higher contains the basics for a package system.  
+
To remove all files generated during the build and to be able to do a 'clean' build, perform a clean.
Look at any directory in the fpc source dirs. You'll find a file
+
fpmake.pp or fpmake.inc there.
+
On unices or alike:
 +
./fpmake clean
  
The idea is that you do a
+
On Windows or alike:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
+
fpmake.exe clean
fppkg <packagename>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
This will look in a database for the package, extract it,
+
Use the -h parameter to get an overview of all other available commands and options.
and then compile fpmake.pp and run it. The fpmake contains
 
all configurations to make and zip the package.
 
  
You could download a package manually, compile fpmake.pp and
+
== Installing FPMake packages ==
run
+
Just like building packages, using [[fppkg]] to install FPMake packages is the easiest. But it canbe done manually. First compile the package and then call the fpmake executable to install the package.
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake build
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
or
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake install
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
which would install the file.
 
  
The fpmake.pp file is very simple. Just look at the examples,
+
On unices or alike:
they are scattered all over the place.
+
./fpmake install --globalunitdir=/usr/local/lib/fpc/2.7.1 --prefix=/usr/local --baseinstalldir=/usr/local/lib/fpc/2.7.1
  
The idea is that the release after 2.2 will use this system. (Note: as of FPC 2.7.1, there are still some problems with fpmake which need to be solved before fpmake can be used instead of regular make)
+
On Windows or alike:
 +
fpmake.exe install --globalunitdir=c:\pp --prefix=c:\pp --baseinstalldir=c:\pp
  
== Commandline arguments ==
+
Typical output looks like:
  ./fpmake --help
+
Installing package fcl-base
 +
Installation package fcl-base for target i386-darwin succeeded
  
  Usage: fpmake command [options]
+
The globalunitdir contains the location where to look for packages that the FPMake package can depend on, just like when building the package. The baseinstalldir is the location where the package should be installed to. In general this is the same path as is used for the global- or local-unitdir. Some packages also installs files outside of the baseinstalldir. like configuration files. These packages most often also need a prefix, so providing one is advisable.
  Where command is one of the following:
 
  compile      Compile all units in the package(s).
 
  build        Build all units in the package(s).
 
  install      Install all units in the package(s).
 
  clean        Clean (remove) all units in the package(s).
 
  archive      Create archive (zip) with all units in the package(s).
 
  manifest    Create a manifest suitable for import in repository.
 
  Where options is one or more of the following:
 
  -h --help            This message.
 
  -l --list-commands    list commands instead of actually executing them.
 
  -n --nofpccfg        Compiler will not use fpc.cfg
 
  -v --verbose          Be verbose when working.
 
  -C --cpu=Value            Compile for indicated CPU.
 
  -O --os=Value            Compile for indicated OS
 
  -t --target=Value        Compile for indicated target
 
  -P --prefix=Value        Use indicated prefix directory for all commands.
 
  -B --baseinstalldir=Value Use indicated directory as base install dir.
 
  -UL --localunitdir=Value  Use indicated directory as local (user) unit dir.
 
  -UG --globalunitdir=Value  Use indicated directory as global unit dir.
 
  -r --compiler=Value      Use indicated binary as compiler
 
  -f --config=Value        Use indicated config file when compiling.
 
  
== Simple example fpmake.pp ==
+
== How to create FPMake-packages ==
  
<syntaxhighlight>
+
=== Simple example fpmake.pp ===
 +
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
 
   program fpmake;
 
   program fpmake;
  
Line 105: Line 101:
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
Compile with
+
=== More complex example fpmake.pp ===
 
+
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
  fpc fpmake.pp
 
 
 
or
 
  fppkg build
 
 
 
which will build (if needed) fpmake and run fpmake in the
 
current directory.
 
 
 
== More complex example fpmake.pp ==
 
 
 
<syntaxhighlight>
 
 
   program fpmake;
 
   program fpmake;
  
Line 160: Line 145:
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
== Changing Working Directory ==
+
=== Changing Working Directory ===
 
If working with units in a subfolder relative to ./fpmake, then "Directory" can be changed.
 
If working with units in a subfolder relative to ./fpmake, then "Directory" can be changed.
<syntaxhighlight>
+
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
 
     With Installer do
 
     With Installer do
 
     begin
 
     begin
Line 172: Line 157:
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
== Adding directories ==
+
=== Adding directories ===
  
 
You can add directories with the unit path:
 
You can add directories with the unit path:
  
<syntaxhighlight>
+
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
 
   Case Defaults.OS of
 
   Case Defaults.OS of
 
     Win32, Win64:  
 
     Win32, Win64:  
Line 193: Line 178:
 
Often, it's more comfortable to use set constants like AllWindowsOSes, AllUnixOSes instead of specific OS names.
 
Often, it's more comfortable to use set constants like AllWindowsOSes, AllUnixOSes instead of specific OS names.
  
== Appending Compiler Options ==
+
=== Appending Compiler Options ===
  
 
Additional custom compiler options (i.e. compiler command line parameters) can be appended by using TTarget.Options, TPackage.Options, or Defaults.Options.
 
Additional custom compiler options (i.e. compiler command line parameters) can be appended by using TTarget.Options, TPackage.Options, or Defaults.Options.
  
<syntaxhighlight>
+
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
 
   var T : TTarget;
 
   var T : TTarget;
 
   ...
 
   ...
Line 205: Line 190:
  
 
Or
 
Or
<syntaxhighlight>
+
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
 
   var P : TPackage;
 
   var P : TPackage;
 
   ...
 
   ...
Line 212: Line 197:
  
 
Or
 
Or
<syntaxhighlight>
+
<syntaxhighlight lang=pascal>
 
   Defaults.Options.Append('-dSOMEDEFINE');
 
   Defaults.Options.Append('-dSOMEDEFINE');
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
 
'''Note''': Before FPC 2.4.0, Options property was a simple string, and it seems it supported passing only one parameter to the compiler. Since FPC 2.4.0 (more precisely, since svn revision 13223) Options is a TStrings instance, so it's much more flexible. This also means that you should use $ifdefs if you want to use Options and want your fpmake.pp be compatible with both FPC < 2.4.0 and >= 2.4.0.
 
'''Note''': Before FPC 2.4.0, Options property was a simple string, and it seems it supported passing only one parameter to the compiler. Since FPC 2.4.0 (more precisely, since svn revision 13223) Options is a TStrings instance, so it's much more flexible. This also means that you should use $ifdefs if you want to use Options and want your fpmake.pp be compatible with both FPC < 2.4.0 and >= 2.4.0.
 
== Commands ==
 
 
The fpmake executable takes several commands that determine its behavior.
 
 
=== Compile ===
 
The most basic usage of fpmake is:
 
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
or
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake compile
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
This will compile your project when required.
 
 
=== Build ===
 
 
To force a build of your project regardless of whether it is necessary or not, a build command should be issued:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake build
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
When executing a build or compile command the units are placed in the directory:
 
 
  ./units/CPU-OS
 
 
The executable of a library is placed in the directory:
 
 
  ./bin/CPU-OS
 
 
If either of these directories does not exist, they are created.
 
 
The CPU and OS can be changed by using the following options:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake --CPU=PPC --OS=Darwin
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
where the CPU switch takes one from:
 
* Arm
 
* I386
 
* PPC
 
* SPARC
 
* X86_64
 
* M68K
 
* PPC64
 
 
and OS takes one from:
 
* Amiga
 
* Atari
 
* Darwin
 
* FreeBSD
 
* Go32v2
 
* Linux
 
* MacOS
 
* MorphOS
 
* NetBSD
 
* Netware
 
* NetwLibc
 
* OpenBSD
 
* OS2
 
* PalmOS
 
* Solaris
 
* Win32
 
* Win64
 
* WinCE
 
* Emx
 
 
=== Clean ===
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake clean
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Will clean units (i.e. ones that have been added with AddUnit).
 
 
=== Install ===
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake install
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Will install the project to the default location given in fpmake.pp. You can alter the install location with the following command:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
fpmake --baseinstalldir='c:\program files\my package';
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
 
There are two installer classes implemented:
 
 
 
 
'''TBasicInstaller'''
 
 
Does not set the base output directory, this needs to be set in either the code...
 
 
<syntaxhighlight>
 
  with Installer(TBasicInstaller) do
 
  begin
 
    Defaults.BaseInstallDir := 'c:\fpmake_test\';
 
    {$i fpmake.inc}
 
    Run;
 
  end;
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
 
... or with the commandline option -B or --baseinstalldir. Either way the use of TBasicInstaller needs to be initiated with the Installer(TBasicInstaller) function.
 
 
 
'''TFPCInstaller'''
 
 
Sets the output directory in code. This is done in several consecutive steps.
 
 
#Value of FPCDIR environment variable
 
#Hardcoded value
 
 
Just like TBasicInstaller it is possible to use commandline options to control the  base install directory.
 
 
=== Archive ===
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake archive
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
will create a zip.
 
 
The default filename of the archive is:
 
 
 
  packagename-version.zip
 
 
or
 
 
  packagename.zip
 
 
when no version is defined.
 
 
It is possible to modify the archive filename by setting the FileName property:
 
 
<syntaxhighlight>
 
  with Installer do
 
  begin
 
    ...;
 
    FileName := 'myfile.zip';
 
    ...;
 
  end;
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
 
=== Manifest ===
 
 
To create a manifest file suitable for import into a repository FPC will use the manifest command.
 
 
An example manifest file is shown below.
 
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
 
  <?xml version="1.0"?>
 
  <packages>
 
  <package name="my-package">
 
  <version major="0" minor="7" micro="6" build="1"/>
 
  <filename>my-package-0.7.6-1.zip</filename>
 
  <author>my name</author>
 
  <license>GPL</license>
 
  <homepageurl>http://www.freepascal.org/</homepageurl>
 
  <email>myname@freepascal.org</email>
 
  <description>this is the package description</description>
 
  <dependencies>
 
    <dependency>
 
    <package packagename="rtl"/>
 
    </dependency>
 
  </dependencies>
 
  </package>
 
  </packages>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
 
This manifest file was created using the following code:
 
 
<syntaxhighlight>
 
  with Installer do
 
  begin
 
    P := AddPackage('my-package');
 
 
    P.Author := 'my name';
 
    P.License := 'GPL';
 
    {$ifdef VER2_2_2} P.ExternalURL {$else} P.HomepageURL {$endif}
 
      := 'http://www.freepascal.org/';
 
    P.Email := 'myname@freepascal.org';
 
    P.Description := 'this is the package description';
 
    P.Version := '0.7.6-1';
 
 
    // ...;
 
 
    Run;
 
  end;
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
 
=== List sources===
 
 
'''Note: this seems not available in FPC 2.2.2 and 2.2.4rc1. Please remove this section (if this was an old abandoned idea) or update to say "planned" if it's a future plan.'''
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
  ./fpmake listsources
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Will create an xml file called sources.xml which lists all sources in the package. Each item has a type node that reveals the function of the file.
 
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
 
  <source type="document">readme.txt</source>
 
  <source type="source">project.pas</source>
 
  <source type="example">example.pas</source>
 
  <source type="test">test_unit.pas</source>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
 
The sources.xml file can be read by fppkg which uses it to create a package by itself.
 
 
=== Innosetup ===
 
 
The plan is to also add
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
./fpmake innosetup
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Which will generate a file that can be included in an Inno Setup (.iss) file, which can be used to generate a Windows installer.
 
  
 
== Common error messages ==
 
== Common error messages ==
 
 
A few common error messages are explained here
 
A few common error messages are explained here
  
 
=== Unknown target for unit "[unitname]" in dependencies for [targetname] in package [packagename] ===
 
=== Unknown target for unit "[unitname]" in dependencies for [targetname] in package [packagename] ===
 
 
This indicates a problem in the fpmake.pp file. There is a dependency on a unit, added using Target.Dependencies.AddUnit('unitname'). But there is no corresponding target added to the package with the same unitname.  
 
This indicates a problem in the fpmake.pp file. There is a dependency on a unit, added using Target.Dependencies.AddUnit('unitname'). But there is no corresponding target added to the package with the same unitname.  
  
Line 439: Line 213:
 
Also note that the unit name has to be without the extension of the corresponding file. (Target.Dependencies.AddUnit('unitnams.pas') will not work, while Targets.Addunit requires the extension to be present)
 
Also note that the unit name has to be without the extension of the corresponding file. (Target.Dependencies.AddUnit('unitnams.pas') will not work, while Targets.Addunit requires the extension to be present)
  
[[Category:FPC]]
+
=== Could not find unit directory for dependency package "rtl" ===
[[Category:Utilities]]
+
In general the fpmake system scans the places typically used for fpc installations. In the case that fpmake doesn't find the FPC directory, you'll get the above mentioned error. In such case, set the FPCDIR environment variable to the base dir of the FPC installation, e.g.:
[[Category:Packages]]
+
 
 +
  export FPCDIR=~/src/lib/fpc/2.6.4
 +
 
 +
or
 +
 
 +
  set FPCDIR=C:\lazarus\fpc\2.6.4\
 +
 
 +
This can also be useful if you have to disambiguate over multiple FPC installations.

Latest revision as of 04:32, 16 February 2020

English (en) русский (ru)

FPMake is a build-system for Pascal code specifically. It can be compared with other build systems like Make, cons, scons, etc.

With FPMake the code is split up into packages. A FPMake-package can contain units, binaries, examples and documentation. Each package can depend on other packages, in which case a package can use the units of it's dependences. FPMake uses two different locations to search for packages, a system-wide (global) and a local location. By default the global location points to the location of the fpc-installation, while the local location is user-specific.

Some parts of fpc itself are compiled using FPMake. (The packages fastcgi and fcl-web in fpc 2.6 and all packages, utilities and the ide in fpc 2.7 and up)

The packages-manager fppkg can be used to manage the FPMake packages and to install them from a remote repository.


How does it work

FPMake works with Pascal-applications called fpmake, of which each can compile and install one or more FPMake-packages. All settings, location of the sources and instructions are defined inside the source of this fpmake-executable. This source-file is normally saved with the name fpmake.pp. The fpmake.pp is compiled into the fpmake-executable, and this executable can build and install the final packages.

Building FPMake packages

The easiest is to use fppkg to build a FPMake package. But it can also be done manually. Locate the sources of the package you want to install and the fpmake.pp file. Now compile the fpmake.pp file:

fpc fpmake.pp

Typical output looks like:

Free Pascal Compiler version 2.7.1 [2014/11/26] for i386
Copyright (c) 1993-2014 by Florian Klaempfl and others
Target OS: Darwin for i386
Compiling fpmake.pp
Assembling (pipe) fpmake.s
Linking fpmake
203 lines compiled, 3.6 sec

Now run the new fpmake(.exe)-executable to build the package(s). This example only contains one package.

On unices or alike:

./fpmake build --globalunitdir=/usr/local/lib/fpc/2.7.1

On Windows or alike:

fpmake.exe build --globalunitdir=c:\pp

Typical output looks like:

Start compiling package fcl-base for target i386-darwin.
      Compiling src/ascii85.pp
      Compiling src/avl_tree.pp
      Compiling src/base64.pp
      Compiling src/fpmimetypes.pp
[100%] Compiled package fcl-base

The --globalunitdir parameter gives the location of the already installed global packages. This way FPMake can find the packages that this package depends on. When there is a second location where packages are installed, in addition the --localunitdir parameter can be used.

If you want to know which path you have to use for the --global(local)unitdir parameter, it's the directory which contains a directory called 'fpmkinst'.

To remove all files generated during the build and to be able to do a 'clean' build, perform a clean.

On unices or alike:

./fpmake clean

On Windows or alike:

fpmake.exe clean

Use the -h parameter to get an overview of all other available commands and options.

Installing FPMake packages

Just like building packages, using fppkg to install FPMake packages is the easiest. But it canbe done manually. First compile the package and then call the fpmake executable to install the package.

On unices or alike:

./fpmake install --globalunitdir=/usr/local/lib/fpc/2.7.1 --prefix=/usr/local --baseinstalldir=/usr/local/lib/fpc/2.7.1

On Windows or alike:

fpmake.exe install --globalunitdir=c:\pp --prefix=c:\pp --baseinstalldir=c:\pp

Typical output looks like:

Installing package fcl-base
Installation package fcl-base for target i386-darwin succeeded

The globalunitdir contains the location where to look for packages that the FPMake package can depend on, just like when building the package. The baseinstalldir is the location where the package should be installed to. In general this is the same path as is used for the global- or local-unitdir. Some packages also installs files outside of the baseinstalldir. like configuration files. These packages most often also need a prefix, so providing one is advisable.

How to create FPMake-packages

Simple example fpmake.pp

  program fpmake;

  uses fpmkunit;

  Var
    P: TPackage;
    T: TTarget;

  begin
    With Installer do
    begin
      P := AddPackage('my-nice-program');
      P.OSes := [win32,openbsd,netbsd,freebsd,darwin,linux];
      T := P.Targets.AddUnit('myunit');
      T.ResourceStrings := True;
      T := P.Targets.AddUnit('myprogram');
      T.Dependencies.Add('myunit');
      Run;
    end;
  end.

More complex example fpmake.pp

  program fpmake;

  uses fpmkunit;

  type TWidgetSet = (wsGDI, wsX, wsCarbon);

  var WidgetSet : TWidgetSet;
      P : TPackage;

  procedure DetermineWidgetSet;
  Var
    I : Integer;
  begin
    if Defaults.OS in AllWindowsOSes then
      WidgetSet := wsGDI else
    if Defaults.OS = MacOS then
      WidgetSet := wsCarbon else
    if Defaults.OS in AllUnixOSes then
      Widgetset := wsX;

    // Check paramstr() to see if the widgetset was overriden on the commandline;
    For I := 1 to ParamCount do
      If ParamStr(i) = '--widgetset=X' then
        WidgetSet := wsX;
  end;

  begin
    DetermineWidgetSet;
    With Installer do
    begin
      // ...
      Case WidgetSet of
        wsGDI : P.UnitPath.Add('corelib/gdi');
        wsX   : P.UnitPath.Add('corelib/x11');
        // etc.
      end;
      //  ...
      Run;
    end;
  end.

Changing Working Directory

If working with units in a subfolder relative to ./fpmake, then "Directory" can be changed.

    With Installer do
    begin
      ...
      Directory:='some/subdir';
      T:= Targets.AddUnit('unitinfolder');
      ...
    end;

Adding directories

You can add directories with the unit path:

  Case Defaults.OS of
    Win32, Win64: 
      begin
        T.UnitPath.Add('corelib/gdi');
        T.Dependencies.Add('gfx_gdi');
      end;
    Linux: 
      begin
        T.UnitPath.Add('corelib/x11');
        T.Dependencies.Add('gfx_x11');
      end;
  end;

Often, it's more comfortable to use set constants like AllWindowsOSes, AllUnixOSes instead of specific OS names.

Appending Compiler Options

Additional custom compiler options (i.e. compiler command line parameters) can be appended by using TTarget.Options, TPackage.Options, or Defaults.Options.

  var T : TTarget;
  ...
  T.Options.Append('-dSOMEDEFINE');
  T.Options.Append('-xyzAnythingYouNeed');

Or

  var P : TPackage;
  ...
  P.Options.Append('-dSOMEDEFINE');

Or

  Defaults.Options.Append('-dSOMEDEFINE');

Note: Before FPC 2.4.0, Options property was a simple string, and it seems it supported passing only one parameter to the compiler. Since FPC 2.4.0 (more precisely, since svn revision 13223) Options is a TStrings instance, so it's much more flexible. This also means that you should use $ifdefs if you want to use Options and want your fpmake.pp be compatible with both FPC < 2.4.0 and >= 2.4.0.

Common error messages

A few common error messages are explained here

Unknown target for unit "[unitname]" in dependencies for [targetname] in package [packagename]

This indicates a problem in the fpmake.pp file. There is a dependency on a unit, added using Target.Dependencies.AddUnit('unitname'). But there is no corresponding target added to the package with the same unitname.

In other words: for every dependency on a unit, there must be a corresponding target within the same package. When there is a dependency on a unit in another package, add a dependency on that package. A dependency on a single file within a different package will not work.

Also note that the unit name has to be without the extension of the corresponding file. (Target.Dependencies.AddUnit('unitnams.pas') will not work, while Targets.Addunit requires the extension to be present)

Could not find unit directory for dependency package "rtl"

In general the fpmake system scans the places typically used for fpc installations. In the case that fpmake doesn't find the FPC directory, you'll get the above mentioned error. In such case, set the FPCDIR environment variable to the base dir of the FPC installation, e.g.:

 export FPCDIR=~/src/lib/fpc/2.6.4

or

 set FPCDIR=C:\lazarus\fpc\2.6.4\

This can also be useful if you have to disambiguate over multiple FPC installations.