[XeTeX] 64.bit XeTex was::Re: Trying to build microtype-aware xetex

[George N. White III]

On Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 4:53 AM, Keith J. Schultz <keithjschultz at web.de> wrote:

> Hi George,
>
>        The Macports version of xetex is built 64-bit, but it does not have ATSU features.
>        so it is not "fully" functional.
>
>        The question is if there is an actual need to still support ATSU at all?
>        If we do the question is how hard would be to rewrite the needed libraries.

For some (my!) purposes, documents formatted across macosx, linux, and
windows need to come out the same (multiple authors working in different
locations with different IT "standards")  but the docs are manuals and
scientific
reports with relatively few non-ASCII elements (mostly proper names) outside
the math.   I can imagine that some documents really do need Apple
font technology, so at present those who need ATSU have to get by without
the 64-bit binaries.

Only those who really need ATSU can explain what they need -- perhaps it is
possible improve open source libraries to provide what is needed.  Many more
people are interested in improving the open source libraries than are interested
in xetex on macosx.

>        If this is the wrong place to discuss this, please point me in the right direction.

One of the most useful sources on information about problems in font
libraries may
be bug reports, both those filed against xetex on other platforms and
against the open
source libraries.  A few years ago there were some quite insightful
discussions of
problems with the open source libraries (including comparisons with MS and
Apple) -- don't know if those have been updated.   This an area where
things are
developing rapidly, so I'm sure there have been significant changes.
There are higher
level libraries that hide platform differences, while taking advantage
of native support
on each platform.  This could be a better way forward than simply
updating the Apple
font library calls, but one would need to check that the higher level
libraries are
available everywhere xetex is needed.

> regards
>        Keith.
>
>
> Am 30.08.2011 um 02:57 schrieb George N. White III:
>
>> On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 2:32 PM, Keith J. Schultz <keithjschultz at web.de> wrote:
>>> Hi Herbert,
>>>
>>> You are right their is font library that is deprecated and only allows xe(l)tex to be built 32-bit!
>>> This will have to change as the Mac world has going 64-bit. Yes, you can run 32-bit programs
>>> under Lion, but it also comes at a performance price.
>>>
>>> Anyone know exactly which library and how hard it would be to refractor or rewrite?
>>>
>>
>> See the thread called "ATSUGetAttribute not found" on the tlbuild list
>> for a discussion.
>>
>> Macports worked around the problem by building xetex using open source
>> libraries:
>>
>> $ /opt/local/bin/xetex --version
>> XeTeX 3.1415926-2.3-0.9997.5 (TeX Live 2011/MacPorts 2011_1)
>> kpathsea version 6.0.1
>> Copyright 2011 SIL International and Jonathan Kew.
>> There is NO warranty.  Redistribution of this software is
>> covered by the terms of both the XeTeX copyright and
>> the Lesser GNU General Public License.
>> For more information about these matters, see the file
>> named COPYING and the XeTeX source.
>> Primary author of XeTeX: Jonathan Kew.
>> Compiled with ICU version 4.6 [with modifications for XeTeX]
>> Compiled with zlib version 1.2.5; using 1.2.5
>> Compiled with FreeType2 version 2.4.6; using 2.4.6
>> Compiled with fontconfig version 2.8.0; using 2.8.0
>> Compiled with libpng version 1.4.8; using 1.4.8
>> Compiled with poppler version 0.16.6
>>
>> $ file /opt/local/bin/xetex
>> /opt/local/bin/xetex: Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
>>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
George N. White III <aa056 at chebucto.ns.ca>
Head of St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia