FreeBSD Porter's Handbook
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5.8 Makefile Options

Some large applications can be built in a number of configurations, adding functionality if one of a number of libraries or applications is available. Examples include choice of natural (human) language, GUI versus command-line, or type of database to support. Since not all users want those libraries or applications, the ports system provides hooks that the port author can use to control which configuration should be built. Supporting these properly will make users happy, and effectively provide 2 or more ports for the price of one.

5.8.1 `WITH_` and `WITHOUT_`

These variables are designed to be set by the system administrator. There are many that are standardized in ports/Mk/bsd.*.mk; others are not, which can be confusing. If you need to add such a configuration variable, please consider using one of the ones from the following list.

Note: You should not assume that a WITH_* necessarily has a corresponding WITHOUT_* variable and vice versa. In general, the default is simply assumed.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, these variables are only tested for being set or not set, rather than being set to some kind of variable such as YES or NO.

Table 5-2. The WITH_* and WITHOUT_* variables

Variable	Means
`WITH_APACHE2`	If set, use `www/apache2` instead of the default of `www/apache`.
`WITH_BERKELEY_DB`	Define this variable to specify the ability to use a variant of the Berkeley database package such as `databases/db41`. An associated variable, `WITH_BDB_VER`, may be set to values such as 2, 3, 4, 41 or 42.
`WITH_MYSQL`	Define this variable to specify the ability to use a variant of the MySQL database package such as `databases/mysql40-server`. An associated variable, `WANT_MYSQL_VER`, may be set to values such as 323, 40, 41, or 50.
`WITHOUT_NLS`	If set, says that internationalization is not needed, which can save compile time. By default, internationalization is used.
`WITH_OPENSSL_BASE`	Use the version of OpenSSL in the base system.
`WITH_OPENSSL_PORT`	Use the version of OpenSSL from `security/openssh`, overwriting the version that was originally installed in the base system.
`WITH_POSTGRESQL`	Define this variable to specify the ability to use a variant of the PostGreSQL database package such as `databases/postgresql72`.
`WITHOUT_X11`	If the port can be built both with and without X support, then it should normally be built with X support. If this variable is defined, then the version that does not have X support should be built instead.

5.8.2 `OPTIONS`

5.8.2.1 Background

The OPTIONS variable gives the user who installs the port a dialog with the available options and saves them to /var/db/ports/portname/options. Next time when the port has to be rebuild, the options are reused. Never again you will have to remember all the twenty WITH_* and WITHOUT_* options you used to build this port!

5.8.2.2 Syntax

The syntax for the OPTIONS variable is:

OPTIONS=   OPTION  "descriptive text" default ...

The value for default is either ON or OFF. Multiple repetitions of these three fields are allowed.

When the user runs make config (or runs make build for the first time), the framework will check for /var/db/ports/portname /options. If that file does not exist, it will use the values of OPTIONS to create a dialogbox where the options can be enabled or disabled. Then the options file is saved and the selected variables will be used when building the port.

Use make showconfig to see the saved configuration. Use make rmconfig to remove the saved configuration.

5.8.2.3 Example

Example 5-7. Simple use of OPTIONS

OPTIONS=   FOO "Enable option foo" On \
            BAR "Support feature bar" Off

.include <bsd.port.pre.mk>

.if defined(WITHOUT_FOO)
CONFIGURE_ARGS+=    --without-foo
.else
CONFIGURE_ARGS+=    --with-foo
.endif

.if defined(WITH_BAR)
RUN_DEPENDS+=   bar:${PORTSDIR}/bar/bar
.endif

.include <bsd.port.post.mk>

5.8.2.4 Brokenness

make index does not follow OPTIONS yet (ports/75727)
PACKAGE_BUILDING is ignoring OPTIONS (ports/75727?)

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