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Known Problems with UDUNITS

This is where we document known problems and their solutions (where possible).

Problem with fortc and m4 under UNICOS

Some users have reported an error message from the m4 utility in building on CRAY systems: 
    ...
    returning to directory /src

	    port/fortc/fortc -O unicos utlib.fc > utlib.c \
		|| (rm -f utlib.c; exit 1)

    m4:/tmp/fortc42212_2:322 can't open file
    divert(1)
    Make: "port/fortc/fortc -O unicos utlib.fc > utlib.c \
	|| (rm -f utlib.c; exit 1)": Error code 1

    Stop.
This problem is due to a bug in the UNICOS m4 utility. The workaround is to build the necessary files, utlib.c and fortc.c, for UNICOS on a different platform via the following commands 
    cd lib
    ../port/fortc/fortc -L ../port/fortc -O unicos utlib.fc > utlib.c
    ../port/fortc/fortc -L ../port/fortc -O unicos fortc.fc > fortc.c
The resulting files should then be copied back to the CRAY and a make should be re-executed. Since the modification times on these *.c files should be later than on their *.fc sources, the fortc that invokes the Cray m4 won't be used.

Versions prior to 1.10 incorrectly handle pre-Gregorian times

There is a problem in the handling of time in all versions of the UDUNITS library prior to version 1.10. The temporal algorithms in the pre-1.10 libraries are valid only for times after October 15, 1582 (when the Gregorian calendar was adopted). At some time prior to that point, the algorithms return incorrect results. This has caused problems for at least one user who used a temporal unit of "hours since 1-1-1". The exact time at which the algorithms break down is unknown, but year 1 is definitely in the invalid region.

If this concerns you, then please contact the support address below.

Build of perl extension module fails because the shell cannot create the file ./blib/auto/UDUNITS/.packlist

On some systems, the building of the Perl extension module fails with an error similar to the following: 
    making `dynamic' in directory /usr/local/udunits-1.10.2/src/perl

    /usr/local/bin/perl -I/usr/local/lib/perl5/sun4-solaris -I/usr/local/lib/perl5 /
    usr/local/lib/perl5/ExtUtils/xsubpp -typemap /usr/local/lib/perl5/ExtUtils/typem
    ap -typemap typemap UDUNITS.xs >UDUNITS.tc && mv UDUNITS.tc UDUNITS.c
    cc -c -O -Kpic -I/usr/local/lib/perl5/sun4-solaris/CORE  -I../lib UDUNITS.c
    Running Mkbootstrap for UDUNITS ()
    chmod 644 UDUNITS.bs
    sh: ./blib/auto/UDUNITS/.packlist: cannot create
    *** Error code 1
    make: Fatal error: Command failed for target `UDUNITS.bs'
    Current working directory /usr/local/udunits-1.10.2/src/perl
    *** Error code 1
    make: Fatal error: Command failed for target `perl/dynamic'
I suspect that this error is due to a bug in the way perl builds extension modules. The workaround is to create the relevant file, e.g. 
    % touch perl/blib/auto/UDUNITS/.packlist
and then re-execute the make command. It should succeed the second time.
This page was prepared by Steve Emmerson.
Questions or comments can be sent to <plaza@unidata.ucar.edu>.
 
 
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