Solving the C Compiler Issue When Building R Packages with Conda on MacOS Mojave
Solving the C Compiler Issue When Building R Packages with Conda on MacOS Mojave
If you’re a data scientist working with R packages on MacOS Mojave, you might have encountered a frustrating issue: the Conda build fails due to a C compiler problem. This issue can be a significant roadblock, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to resolve this problem and get your R packages up and running smoothly.
Understanding the Issue
Before we dive into the solution, let’s understand the problem. When you try to build an R package using Conda on MacOS Mojave, you might encounter an error message similar to this:
checking whether the C compiler works... no
configure: error: in `/private/var/folders/.../conda-build/...':
configure: error: C compiler cannot create executables
This error occurs because the C compiler that Conda uses is not compatible with MacOS Mojave. The issue is not with your code, but with the environment in which you’re trying to build your R package.
Step 1: Install Xcode Command Line Tools
The first step to resolve this issue is to install Xcode Command Line Tools. These tools include compilers that can help Conda build your R package successfully. You can install these tools by running the following command in your terminal:
xcode-select --install
Step 2: Install Homebrew
Next, you need to install Homebrew, a package manager for MacOS. Homebrew will help you install the necessary packages to resolve the C compiler issue. You can install Homebrew by running the following command in your terminal:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Step 3: Install GCC
Once you have Homebrew installed, you can use it to install GCC, a free software compiler collection. GCC includes a C compiler that is compatible with MacOS Mojave. You can install GCC by running the following command in your terminal:
brew install gcc
Step 4: Update Conda Build Configuration
The final step is to update your Conda build configuration to use the GCC compiler you just installed. You can do this by creating a .condarc file in your home directory with the following content:
c_compiler: gcc
cxx_compiler: g++
This configuration tells Conda to use the GCC compiler for C code and the G++ compiler for C++ code.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the C compiler issue when building R packages with Conda on MacOS Mojave. Remember, the key is to ensure that Conda is using a C compiler that is compatible with your operating system.
We hope this guide has been helpful. If you encounter any issues or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding!
Keywords: Conda, R packages, MacOS Mojave, C compiler issue, data science, Xcode Command Line Tools, Homebrew, GCC, Conda build configuration
Meta Description: This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to resolving the C compiler issue when building R packages with Conda on MacOS Mojave. It is intended for data scientists and other technical professionals.
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