How to compile programs using the Improv library for Linux

Improv example programs

First you must download the Improv distribution file and compile the library. See How to compile the Improv library in Linux if necessary.
After compiling the Improv library, you can compile the associated example programs by executing the following command in the improv directory:
```
   make examples
```
This command will create a directory called improv/bin where it will write the executable files for the example programs.

Compiling your own programs with the Improv library

First you must have and know where are located: (1) the compiled Improv library, and (2) the Improv header files.
In your program, make sure you include the file improv.h near the top of the program like this:
```
   #include "improv.h"
```
Alternatively, you can include just the individual Improv class header files as needed by your program.

Compile your program in this manner:

   g++ -O3 -DLINUX -o program program.cpp -Ixxxxx -Lyyyyy -limprov -lpthread && strip program

-O3 is an optimization flag for the compiler
-DLINUX defines the preprocessor variable LINUX. This define is needed to include the proper code for the Linux operating system rather for than the Windows 95 operating system.
-o program is an option to name the output program program. You can name the output program anything you want. If you do not specify the -o option, the program will be called a.out.
program.cpp is the name of your program. It can have any name and should end in one of the following extensions: .cpp, .cc, .cxx or .C indicating a C++ program.
-Ixxxxx is an option to specify where the header files for Improv are located. xxxxx should be replaced with the directory name where the Improv header files are located on your computer, usually in improv/include.
-Lyyyyy is an option to specify where the Improv library file is located. yyyyy should be replaced with the directory name where the compiled Improv library is located, usually in improv/lib.
-limprov is an option that specifies the library to link with after compiling your program. The library is called libimprov.a and its location was specified with the -L option. Note that if you are using MIDI input, you also need to add the pthread library.
&& strip program This is an optional part of the compiling process. && means only run the following command if the g++ command was successful in creating the compiled program. strip program removes debugging information from the file named program. This information takes up to 80% of the executable program's size and is (hopefully) not necessary.

You can also examine the Makefile.examples makefile and modify it to make your programs.

Another way to compile your programs is to write a shell script which adds the necessary options to compile programs. Here is an example which you could try:

#!/bin/bash # # A shell script to compile Improv-based programs. # LIBDIR=/home/craig/improv/lib INCDIR=/home/craig/improv/include NAME=`basename $1 .cpp` g++ -O3 -DLINUX -o $NAME $NAME.cpp -I$INCDIR \ -L$LIBDIR -limprov -lpthread && strip $NAME

If the above program was called mkimprov and your program was called test.cpp, then you could compile the program by typing

   mkimprov test

   mkimprov test.cpp

This How-To was last updated on Mon Dec 6 12:22:09 PST 1999
by craig@ccrma.stanford.edu