On Oct 13, 2017, at 03:56, Joël Brogniart wrote:

> I maintain two local ports for tools that use Latex (dblatex and 
> auto-multiple-choice). These tools could either use Latex from MacPorts' 
> TexLive or another Latex installation so they have a variant for a non 
> Macports Latex.
> 
> For these tool be used with Latex, some parts should be installed in the 
> Latex hierarchy. There is no problem with MacPorts installation of TexLive, 
> but with an external installation, the install phase should access to tools 
> (mktexlsr and mtxrun) that are not in the MacPorts path.
> 
> For now, I modify the binpath variable in the macports.conf file to add the 
> path for the binaries of the external latex installation.

Last I heard, this is what we recommend. Add the external LaTeX installation's 
path to binpath. Ports that use LaTeX binaries should declare their 
dependencies on the appropriate texlive port using the "bin:<binaryname>:" 
prefix instead of the "port:" prefix so that if an external LaTeX is installed, 
the corresponding MacPorts texlive port won't get installed.


> As there is a community of users of theses tools, I put online instructions 
> for the installation 
> <https://project.auto-multiple-choice.net/projects/auto-multiple-choice/wiki/Installing_AMC_development_version_on_macOS_with_a_non_MacPorts_LaTeX_installation>
>  (instruction are to be updated).
> 
> Another option would be to link the external binaries in the Macports 
> hierarchy.
> 
> What do you think is the best solution, modifying the binpath variable or add 
> links to the MacPorts hierarchy? Or are there better alternatives?
> 
> I have another question. I could submit new version of these ports to 
> MacPorts with default variant working with TexLive installation of MacPorts 
> and a -latex variant not depending on a MacPorts TexLive installation. That 
> would greatly improve the installation process and instructions. But the 
> -latex variant may require hacks from users who want to install it. Is this 
> acceptable for a port?
> 

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