python / python/cpython

Consider reverting the autoconf 2.72 version bump requirement as it breaks compatibility with distros

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build type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Bug report

Bug description:

autoconf minimum requirement was bumped to 2.72 through https://github.com/python/cpython/issues/115765

This breaks configure regeneration for CentOS Stream 9/RHEL9 (shipping 2.69 and extra 2.71) and CentOS Stream 10/RHEL10 (shipping 2.71). I presume other distros as well. We currently patch our spec files, lowering the version (to 2.69 and 2.71) makes them work fine.

I (re)discovered the issue by doing some testing on the newly added CentOS Stream buildbot.

And as far as I can see there is nothing used from 2.72, no functional changes. Requiring 2.72 is too aggressive and it seems it was not tested on any major distros at the time.

CPython versions tested on:

CPython main branch, 3.16, 3.15, 3.14

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

Contributor guide

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First steps

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  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Review the autoconf minimum-version change introduced by issue 115765 and the configure-regeneration path it affects. Reproduce the build on the CentOS Stream 9/RHEL 9 and CentOS Stream 10/RHEL 10 environments mentioned, then verify that the supported distro versions work without patching the spec files.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
build-system
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
52/100

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