Question

Is there a way to satisfy a certain port dependency with another package (than the specified one) in MacPorts? More specifically, to use the package XYZ-devel instead of just XYZ for a second port that requires XYZ?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If the -devel port is not offered as a variant, then the only way is to edit the Portfile.

$ sudo port edit $the_port

will open the specified port in an editor. You can change the dependency from the release port to the -devel port there.

Note that:

1. This may break the port, since it may not work with the -devel version (unlikely, but possible).
2. Your changes to the Portfile will get reverted anytime you do a port selfupdate. If you don’t want to have to “fix” the Portfile each time you update, you may want to set up a local Portfile repository.