[Buildroot] custom skeleton question

[Liam Staskawicz]

> On May 29, 2018, at 11:22 PM, Peter Korsgaard <peter at korsgaard.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi,

Hello :D

> 
>>>> I'd like to create a custom rootfs skeleton based on Ubuntu Base
>>>> (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Base) via the existing skeleton-custom
>>>> package, but rather than ship the entire skeleton in my repo, i'd like
>>>> to download it (either as a step in another custom package or
>>>> otherwise).
>>> 
>>> Doesn't this "base" already contain a number of libraries and programs?
>>> I don't quite see how this fits in Buildroot.
>>> 
>>>> Given that BR2_ROOTFS_SKELETON_CUSTOM_PATH is evaluated at kconfig
>>>> time, I don't see the best way to supply this value from another
>>>> package.
>>> 
>>>> Is there a recommended approach to supply this value more dynamically?
>>> 
>>> Instead of using it as a rootfs skeleton you could perhaps create a
>>> package to download such a "base" and extract it on top of the default
>>> skeleton?
> 
>> Thanks for the response. I can indeed investigate overlaying it on the
>> default skeleton - mainly wanted to confirm I was not missing an
>> intended way to use the existing skeleton-custom mechanism with a more
>> dynamically supplied custom path. Thank you.
> 
> Ok - But again, if the Ubuntu base image contains a bunch of prebuilt
> binaries and library you may very well end up with odd errors if you try
> to merge them with Buildroot.
> 
> What are you trying to achieve here?

Your advice makes sense :)

I am mainly trying to make an incremental transition from a system based on ubuntu to one based on buildroot. My first step is providing a similar userspace to the current system while transitioning the kernel build and packaging to buildroot. Subsequently, I plan to more completely isolate the userspace such that it can ship with a pure buildroot rootfs.

So, while this is not strictly an ideal use of buildroot, it's a helpful stepping stone.

Thanks,
Liam