Build failure when cross-compiling for ARM/Android

[camz]

Changes introduced with v4.2.4 broke the ARM/Android build. The following error occurs:

./out/Release/mksnapshot: 1: ./out/Release/mksnapshot: Syntax error: word unexpected (expecting ")")

The issue is that mksnapshot has been compiled for the ARM/Android target, but is then being executed on the Linux (x86) host. Building and compiling node for Linux in a separate directory then copying over the mksnapshot utility to the cross-compile folder and re-running make allows the build to finish properly.

The error is misleading, attempting to run the mksnapshot ARM/Android binary without any options gives a different error message that properly describes the issue.

bash: ./out/Release/mksnapshot: cannot execute binary file: Exec format error

I'm not sure why error message from the build script gives a syntax error instead.

Cheers,
Camz.

[MylesBorins]

@camz did v4.2.3 work as expected?

[camz]

Yes, v.4.2.3 builds as expected. Using the following commands:

./android-configure /opt/android-ndk-r10e
make

[MylesBorins]

/cc @nodejs/build @jasnell

[richardlau]

v4.2.4 was the first release where snapshots were properly enabled (49b3c3b).

[richardlau]

See also nodejs/build#266

[joaocgreis]

This has been noticed in the comments starting at nodejs/build#266 (comment) .

I fixed cross compilation for ARM with snapshots, but haven't been able to try Android. I do not know any reason why it should not work, should be just adapting the android-configure script. CFLAGS can be a problem, though.

[rvagg]

I'm seeking some feedback about how Node.js is used on Android if anyone watching this thread would like to tell us about it: nodejs/build#359

[bnoordhuis]

android-configure passes --without-snapshot to configure as of 271201f so I don't think there is anything left to do. Closing.

[fornwall]

@bnoordhuis Is there an open issue about not being able to build with snapshots on Android, or should one be created?