Hello Liviu,
I noticed that with the latest version of FET the binary wouldn't work on my slightly old system, because of glibc being too old. I have Qt installed anyway, so it's no big problem for me to compile from source, it's just a little inconvenient.
However, I did see there was someone who was not as willing or able to go this way. Perhaps there are others, too? Not every Linux user will be using such a recent system as you. So I wonder whether it would be possible for you to compile the Linux binaries that you distribute on an older system – perhaps in a container or virtual machine?
Hello, Michael,
Thank you! I also have these thoughts, but:
See https://doc.qt.io/qt-6/linux.html, the officially supported openSUSE version is 15.6. Until two months ago I compiled in openSUSE Leap 15.5, which might have had an older glibc. Then I updated to 15.6. 15.6 has glibc 2.38, and I just read its change log and it is from August 2023, so a bit more than 2 years ago.
I actually have 3 operating systems: GNU/Linux openSUSE Tumbleweed (latest, with glibc 2.42), Windows 11, and GNU/Linux openSUSE Leap 15.6 (with glibc 2.38). I use the first system for my work, and the last two systems only for compiling the official FET packages for the users. I use openSUSE Leap only for older glibc for the other users, and I hoped it is old enough... but it isn't now.
I use Qt 6.9.2 (latest) - and Qt 5.15.16 on Windows for older systems, like Windows 7 and 8.1.
I don't want to use other GNU/Linux than openSUSE, because I tried and I did not like them.
I am not sure what I should do...
I see your problem! But because openSUSE versions are not supported for very long, they are probably not the best choice for compiling software for distribution to other people.
If you only use the one system for compiling FET, perhaps you could persuade yourself to use a system with longer support (even if you don't like it much ...)? The oldest supported Debian or Ubuntu (or Mint) might be a good choice. They are of course a bit different to openSUSE, but easy to install and update – and supported for about 5 years. Because they are so stable, they need very little maintenance. If you really want to keep your openSUSE, then perhaps use a virtual machine for Debian or Ubuntu/Mint?
OK, I will think about it and maybe switch back to openSUSE Leap 15.5, which is not officially supported by Qt 6.9, but practically seems to work.
If I decide for this, how would you suggest me to name the new (temporary) GNU/Linux executable? I cannot make a new complete official FET release just for this. I mean, there is already a GNU/Linux executable, and I suppose it must retain its name, and I can put a new one near it - what could be its name and description?
@Volker Dirr , what do you say?
I think you could wait until the next version.
Maybe just call it 7.4.7.1
I will think about it, Volker. But the other part of the question: would you recommend me to switch to the old openSUSE Leap 15.5? Are we losing anything by that? Also, what GNU/Linux do you have? What glibc version? Is the current GNU/Linux executable running on your computer?
I guess we might loos max a bit speed, because of an older compiler. But that is maybe ok.
I just added the new GNU/Linux versions (I also brought back the AppImage). Thank you for your suggestions! Please test!
The new binary works on Linux Mint 21 (Ubuntu 22.04).
Great! Thank you!