I am currently trying to compile the latest stable release of Python (3.7.3 at the time of writing) on a small ARM device (a DNS-323A1 NAS), running Alt-F (a custom linux-based firmware) using GCC 4.3.3. Unfortunately, I've hit a major snag that I just can't seem to get past.

In short, the compilation goes well until the [sharedmods] stage, where it encounters an error related to readline and the module not having been compiled with -fPIC. I've included a truncated log (taken from a second make invocation after the first failed) that displays the issue.

This is the ./configure invocation I've used:
'--prefix=/usr' '--enable-shared' '--with-system-expat' '--with-system-ffi' '--with-ensurepip=yes' '--enable-optimizations' '--enable-ipv6' 'CFLAGS=-fPIC' 'CXXFLAGS=-fPIC'

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

I presume you are trying to compile CPython.  Perhaps you might do better with MicroPython, designed for micro devices.  Steve, do you know anything about CPython on Arm with linux?

That's correct, CPython. I'm not sure if MicroPython would fit the bill for
me, since this system is a full-blown Linux system.

On Fri, 31 May 2019 at 23:26, Terry J. Reedy <report@bugs.python.org> wrote:

>
> Terry J. Reedy <tjreedy@udel.edu> added the comment:
>
> I presume you are trying to compile CPython.  Perhaps you might do better
> with MicroPython, designed for micro devices.  Steve, do you know anything
> about CPython on Arm with linux?
>
> ----------
> nosy: +steve.dower, terry.reedy
>
> _______________________________________
> Python tracker <report@bugs.python.org>
> <https://bugs.python.org/issue37080>
> _______________________________________
>

After some more testing, I can add that the same issue crops up when attempting to compile Python 2.7.16 as well.

Jarl, I don't know if we support compiling on such devices, even though the OS is linux.  I suggest that you ask on python-list, where someone might have the experience to help you.

> Use GCC option -fPIC for shared objects, please

Did you try that? I guess that the configure.ac block about CCSHARED="-fPIC" doesn't handle your operating system.

Try to modify manually Makefile to use "CCSHARED=-fPIC", make clean, and try make again.

I suggest starting without --enable-optimizations until you solve the build errors.

3.7 is no longer maintained. Please create a new issue if you are having this problem with a current version (>= 3.9).