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Hacking on Atom Core: Update build requirements to be accurate #630

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Oct 5, 2020
48 changes: 24 additions & 24 deletions content/hacking-atom/sections/hacking-on-atom-core.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -83,33 +83,35 @@ In order to build Atom from source, you need to have a number of other requireme
##### Requirements

* macOS 10.9 or later
* Node.js 6.x or later (we recommend installing it via [nvm](https://github.com/creationix/nvm))
* npm 3.10.x or later (run `npm install -g npm`)
* Python v2.7.x
* Node.js 10.12 or later (we recommend installing it via [nvm](https://github.com/creationix/nvm))
* npm 6.12 or later (run `npm install -g npm`)
* Python v2.6.x, v2.7.x or v3.5+
* Command Line Tools for [Xcode](https://developer.apple.com/xcode/downloads/) (run `xcode-select --install` to install)

{{/mac}}

{{#windows}}

* Node.js 6.9.4 or later (the architecture of node available to the build system will determine whether you build 32-bit or 64-bit Atom)
* Python v2.7.x
* The `python.exe` must be available at `%SystemDrive%\Python27\python.exe`. If it is installed elsewhere create a symbolic link to the directory containing the `python.exe` using: `mklink /d %SystemDrive%\Python27 D:\elsewhere\Python27`
* 7zip (7z.exe available from the command line) - for creating distribution zip files
* C++ build tools, either:
* [Visual C++ Build Tools 2015](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/older-downloads/)
* [Visual Studio 2013 Update 5](https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/) (Express Edition or better)
* [Visual Studio 2015](https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/) (Community Edition or better)
* **Unsupported** but more convenient for some who know Node: [windows-build-tools](https://www.npmjs.com/package/windows-build-tools)

* Node.js 10.12 or later (the architecture of node available to the build system will determine whether you build 32-bit or 64-bit Atom)
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We use Node 12 in our CI builds. Shouldn't that be the supported version?

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10 is still an officially supported Long Term Support version for now: https://nodejs.org/about/releases/

(Until the end of April in 2021)

* npm 6.12 or later (run `npm install -g npm`)
* Python v2.6.x, v2.7.x, or v3.5+
* [Get Python from the Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/search/shop/apps?q=python+software+foundation&devicetype=pc&category=Developer+tools%5cDevelopment+kits&Price=0&MaturityRating=ESRB%3aE), or
* Download Python from https://www.python.org/downloads/.
* For Python 2, be sure to install in the default location, or check "Add Python 2.x to PATH" before installing.
* For Python 3, check "Add Python 3.x to PATH", or change the install path to `[Your_Drive_Letter]:\Python37` e.g. `C:\Python37`, (even if your version of Python 3 isn't 3.7, that's one place where the scripts will look.)
* If python isn't found by the bootstrap script, create a symbolic link to the directory containing `python.exe` using e.g.: `mklink /d %SystemDrive%\Python27 D:\elsewhere\Python27`(Links should be set at either `%SystemDrive%\Python27` or `%SystemDrive%\Python37`, regardless of what version of Python you actually have.)
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I'm not sure if this is too much detail. It should be accurate, though.

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This is ok with me. 👍

* C++ build tools:
* **Option 1:** [windows-build-tools](https://www.npmjs.com/package/windows-build-tools) - From an elevated Powershell window (right click and "run as Administrator") do: `npm install --global windows-build-tools@4` to install
* **Option 2:** [Visual C++ Build Tools 2015 or 2017](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/)
* **Option 3:** [Visual Studio 2015 or 2017](https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/) (Community Edition or better)

Also ensure that:

* The default installation folder is chosen so the build tools can find it
* If using Visual Studio make sure Visual C++ support is selected/installed
* If using Visual C++ Build Tools make sure Windows 8 SDK is selected/installed
* If using Visual C++ Build Tools make sure a Windows SDK (Windows 8 SDK or Windows 10 SDK) is selected/installed
* A `git` command is in your path
* Set the `GYP_MSVS_VERSION` environment variable to the Visual Studio/Build Tools version (`2013` or `2015`) e.g. ``[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("GYP_MSVS_VERSION", "2015", "User")`` in PowerShell (or set it in Windows advanced system settings).
* Set the `GYP_MSVS_VERSION` environment variable to the Visual Studio/Build Tools version (`2015` or `2017`.) e.g. ``[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("GYP_MSVS_VERSION", "2015", "User")`` in PowerShell (or set it in Windows advanced system settings).

{{/windows}}

Expand All @@ -122,9 +124,9 @@ Ubuntu LTS 16.04 64-bit is the recommended platform.
* OS with 64-bit or 32-bit architecture
* C++11 toolchain
* Git
* Node.js 6.x or later (we recommend installing it via [nvm](https://github.com/creationix/nvm))
* npm 3.10.x or later (run `npm install -g npm`)
* Ensure node-gyp uses python2 (run `npm config set python /usr/bin/python2 -g`, use `sudo` if you didn't install node via nvm)
* Node.js 10.12 or later (we recommend installing it via [nvm](https://github.com/creationix/nvm))
* npm 6.12 or later (run `npm install -g npm`)
* Python 2.6.x, 2.7.x or 3.5+
* Development headers for [libsecret](https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/Libsecret).

For more details, scroll down to find how to setup a specific Linux distro.
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -162,11 +164,9 @@ $ sudo yum install -y make gcc gcc-c++ glibc-devel git-core libsecret-devel rpmd
###### Arch

``` command-line
sudo pacman -S --needed gconf base-devel git nodejs npm libsecret python2 libx11 libxkbfile
sudo pacman -S --needed gconf base-devel git nodejs npm libsecret python libx11 libxkbfile
```

Be certain to use `export PYTHON=/usr/bin/python2` before building Atom.

###### Slackware

``` command-line
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ To also install the newly built application, use the `--create-debian-package` o
##### `script\build` Options

* `--code-sign`: signs the application with the GitHub certificate specified in `$WIN_P12KEY_URL`.
* `--compress-artifacts`: zips the generated application as `out\atom-windows.zip` (requires [7-Zip](http://www.7-zip.org)).
* `--compress-artifacts`: zips the generated application as `out\atom-windows.zip`.
* `--create-windows-installer`: creates an `.exe` and two `.nupkg` packages in the `out` directory.
* `--install[=dir]`: installs the application in `${dir}\Atom\app-dev`; `${dir}` defaults to `%LOCALAPPDATA%`.

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ Use [this search](https://github.com/atom/atom/search?q=label%3Abuild-error+labe

* `msbuild.exe failed with exit code: 1`
* If using **Visual Studio**, ensure you have the **Visual C++** component installed. Go into Add/Remove Programs, select Visual Studio, press Modify, and then check the Visual C++ box.
* If using **Visual C++ Build Tools**, ensure you have the **Windows 8 SDK** component installed. Go into Add/Remove Programs, select Visual C++ Build Tools, press Modify and then check the Windows 8 SDK box.
* If using **Visual C++ Build Tools**, ensure you have the **Windows 8 SDK** or **Windows 10 SDK** component installed. Go into Add/Remove Programs, select Visual C++ Build Tools, press Modify and then check the "Windows 8 SDK" or "Windows 10 SDK" box.

* `script\build` stops with no error or warning shortly after displaying the versions of node, npm and Python
* Make sure that the path where you have checked out Atom does not include a space. For example, use `C:\atom` instead of `C:\my stuff\atom`.
Expand All @@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ Use [this search](https://github.com/atom/atom/search?q=label%3Abuild-error+labe
* See the next item.

* `error MSB8020: The build tools for Visual Studio 201? (Platform Toolset = 'v1?0') cannot be found.`
* Try setting the `GYP_MSVS_VERSION` environment variable to **2013** or **2015** depending on what version of Visual Studio/Build Tools is installed and then `script\clean` followed by `script\build` (re-open the Command Prompt if you set the variable using the GUI).
* Try setting the `GYP_MSVS_VERSION` environment variable to **2015** or **2017** depending on what version of Visual Studio/Build Tools is installed and then `script\clean` followed by `script\build` (re-open the Command Prompt if you set the variable using the GUI).

* `'node-gyp' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.`
* Try running `npm install -g node-gyp`, and run `script\build` again.
Expand Down