> For something like C or C++? Usually the most complicated part is running `make` or `cmake` with `pkgconfig` somewhere in my path. Maybe install some missing system libraries if necessary.
I don't mean to detract from your main point re Python dependencies, but I find this about C to be rarely true. `make` etc build flows usually result in dependency-related compile errors, or may require a certain operating system. I notice this frequently with OSS or academic software that doens't ship binaries.
Yep. I've given up on any C or C++ projects because I find they almost never work and waste hours of my time. Part of the issue might be the fact that I'm often using Windows or MacOS but I've had bad experiences on Linux also.
> `make` etc build flows usually result in dependency-related compile errors,
Which are displayed to me during the `./configure` step before the `make`, and usually require me to type "apt-get install [blah] [blah] [blah]", and to run configure again.
I don't mean to detract from your main point re Python dependencies, but I find this about C to be rarely true. `make` etc build flows usually result in dependency-related compile errors, or may require a certain operating system. I notice this frequently with OSS or academic software that doens't ship binaries.