[Guide] Testing / How to Compile Feathercoin Client from Source in Virtualbox

Wellenreiter

Tried again to run the 0.8.5. version on a 0.6.4.4 wallet.

Worked like a charm today, even without a need to restart the client ;D

It seems, that the time to sync or sync without hangs is a bit of luck.

I noticed, that my 0.6.4.4 adresses where not shown in the 0.8.5 wallet.

‘importprivkey’ solved that.

We should mention in the update description for users, that it is important to dump the private keys prior to the update.

wrapper

I think we need to more specific tests of the wallet “update process”, once any minor changes are in.

I’m only seen testing of connection to the network / wallet operations far. There are so many changes, that we need to investigate further to see i any have more obscure consequences. Or to find if anything needs switching off (for this version).

I made a Thread of new functions or functions with major changes in 0.8.5, it a least needs a review, to ensure a safe release.

Also, we still may release if there is a bug, for instance, “QR codes don’t work for Linux”, is the same for Litecoin and Bitcoin. As long as it is noted.

wrapper

I added the extra qmake and dependencies to activate qr_codes to the linux build guide / walk through.

The guide still needs a test run as I am have not checked if some other QR related libraries need adding, or if qrencode is sufficient.

added libqrencode-dev

wrapper

I found this Litecoin compile guide for Windows.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=265323.0

minty

Hi wrapper

Not sure if I’ve missed it, but can I share the blockfile from a Win7 host with an Ubunto VB wallet? Or does it download a duplicate blockfile from the network, or perhaps the host with it having a local copy? If the blockfile was 5GB for example, then having two copies could cause disk space issues if you’re short on space. How does it work?

wrapper

You need enough memory, but otherwise the Virtualbox is a separate system. That was part of the idea.

Yes, you do download 2 block chains. But it is meant for testing, and isolate you from your “own” wallet.

You can speed up the blockchain download by using

addnode onetry

on the Feathercoin console command line to the host PC (IPconfig in Windows). You will download over p2p straight from your own PC.

I specifically wrote it because the source code is very hard to compile in Windows. By using the Virtualbox, it is easier to compile and gets users used to Linux, with all the open source and free tools. Thus, we can get wider testing at the source code stage.

Killing 3 birds with one stone made it super worth the effort Plus, nice to have my guide available anywhere, as I’ve used it myself to set up my sons Ubuntu PC.

minty

Thanks for that. I understand how it works now. I’ll have a play with it and let you know how I get on.

algo160

[quote name=“wrapper0feather” post=“35329” timestamp=“1385036076”]
[b]To specifically aide potential beta / testers. [/b]

This is a quick guide / walk through to compiling the latest Feathercoin code into a separate wallet set up inside a Virtualbox.

For use with the test versions, but is set up standard version of the Feathercoin client.

I’ve included QT-Creator as it’s easier to see the code and docs if you’re a non programmer + its a standard GUI to explain. Being in a Virtualbox means the guide can be used by people who don’t have a separate PC, and where testing might affect their real wallet. Or just create a safe wallet inside a virtual box.

It also introduces people to the Kubuntu environment, Unix Bash terminal commands and gives access to all the Debian based free and open source tools that Feathercoin is built on.

Note: for general use the QT set-up file *.pro can have various names, also the git download folder will depend which Feathercoin version is being compiled.

[quote]
Install VirtualBox
Download and Install Kubuntu 13.10 (or equivalent GNU/Linux distribution) *.iso -> into Virtualbox
Right-click Virtualbox Settings - 1 GB RAM Base memory - 256 MB Video Memory
[/quote]
[quote]
In the Linux Distribution
Virtualbox Tab, install “Guest additions”. Then run autorun.sh of the CD.

Open a Terminal prompt : /Menu/Applications/System/Terminal (I right click add to favourites)

Copy and Paste (mouse right click) these commands into the terminal, press return.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

sudo reboot (optional)

sudo apt-get install build-essential libssl-dev libdb5.1-dev libdb5.1+±dev libboost-all-dev git

sudo apt-get install libqtgui4
sudo apt-get install libminiupnpc-dev
sudo apt-get install qttools5-dev-tools qttools5-dev
sudo apt-get install qrencode
sudo apt-get install libqrencode-dev

Next: Close Terminal
[/quote]
[quote]
Install QT-Creator (Software center)

Open Terminal

git clone https://github.com/FeatherCoin/FeatherCoin.git

[or for the beta test version : git clone https://github.com/FeatherCoin/Feathercoin-0.8.5.git]

Run QT-Creator
File - open file or project (/Home/User/feathercoin/feathercoin-qt.pro)

Build Menu.
Build -> Clean
Build -> qmake
Build -> Build

(Press 4. (Bottom right) Compile output.
[/quote]
[quote]
To enable QR codes buttons and Receive - mouse right click.

In QR Creator - click projects button
Under build steps, Click QMake details
Then add USE_QRCODE=1
You can then change the {version} to release or debug and set USE_QRCODE=1
.
You can change which version is Compiled by clicking the (project name) button at the bottom left of the QT_Creator window.

Go through the build process, to build the version with QR Codes enabled.

See attached image of the QT-Creator - Projects button window, to see how to set qmake parameters.
[/quote]
[quote]
Make link to run /feathercoin-qt-Debug/build/

In Kubuntu ->
Right click Menu Button - edit Applications -> menu
Internet -> New Item in menu -> Feathercoin
command /home/user/feathercoin-qt/feathercoin-qt
save
[/quote]

I suggest then cloning the Virtualbox, before any potentially destructive tests.

[quote]
There are some commands loine options you can run on the client which can be useful whilst testing. A list is available from the Feathercoin-qt debug window, command line options button.

rescan recreates the block database index, you can restrict or or enhance your nodes with maxconnections.

-maxconnections=30 or -rescan

Do not go below 8 connections, as there is a minimum requirement.
[/quote]
[quote]
Build Instructions from Github.

You can find instructions in the doc folder: https://github.com/FeatherCoin/FeatherCoin/tree/master/doc

If you want a graphical version, see “readme-qt.rst” https://github.com/FeatherCoin/FeatherCoin/blob/master/doc/readme-qt.rst

Otherwise, follow the instructions in “build-unix.txt”: https://github.com/FeatherCoin/FeatherCoin/blob/master/doc/build-unix.txt
[/quote]
[quote]
Release and build Instructions from the source code /other files /docs

release-process.md

Includes information on building for different operating systems including W*ndows. It is for Litecoin as well.
[/quote]
[/quote]
*cough* Ftc-Qt for *cough, cough* linux? *chough* When did that happen? :)

wrapper

The test guide has got un pinned. Please find it updated to start testing 0.8.6.1 development.

Pinning can be done by clicking “more reply options”, then on the right inside the drop down “After Posting”, you can change it from do nothing to “Pin this Topic”

With that said, I have re-pinned it.