pyindi-client v2.2.0 fails to build with libindi v1.9.9

[Oekalegon]

I'm trying to get the pyindi client running on my Mac and raspberry Pi, but I keep running into a SWIG issue, where the client is not compatible with the latests libindi (1.9.9) version.

My understanding of using C++ with python is minimal so II asked Claude to generate a summary of the issue:

Summary

The pre-generated SWIG wrapper in pyindi-client v2.2.0 is incompatible with libindi v1.9.9, causing compilation errors on modern systems (Linux Debian Bookworm, Ubuntu 24.04, and macOS with current Homebrew versions).

Environment

• libindi: v1.9.9+dfsg-3+b5 (Debian Bookworm packages) or Homebrew latest
• pyindi-client: v2.2.0
• Python: 3.13
• Compilers tested: GCC 14.2.0, Clang 17.0.0
• Platforms: Linux arm64, macOS (Apple Silicon)

Error Details

Linux (GCC)

The SWIG-generated C++ wrapper (indiclientpython_wrap.cxx) contains template syntax errors when compiled against libindi v1.9.9:

indiclientpython_wrap.cxx:38448:3: error: missing template argument list after 'INDI::WidgetView';
for deduction, template placeholder must be followed by a simple declarator-id
  38448 |   INDI::WidgetView *arg1 = 0 ;
        |   ^~~~
        |       <>

In file included from /usr/include/libindi/indiproperty.h:25,
                 from /usr/include/libindi/abstractbaseclient.h:26,
...
/usr/include/libindi/indipropertyview.h:35:28: note: 'template<class> struct INDI::WidgetView' declared here

The wrapper file has ~150+ similar template instantiation errors.

macOS (Clang)

Additional linker errors with -bundle and -dynamiclib flags:

clang++: error: invalid argument '-bundle' not allowed with '-dynamiclib'

Root Cause

The file indiclientpython_wrap.cxx is pre-generated by SWIG from the .i interface file. The generated code assumes specific libindi template signatures that changed between v1.9.3 and v1.9.9. Specifically:

• INDI::WidgetView<T> template syntax in v1.9.9 is incompatible with the wrapper's generated code
• The wrapper expects older libindi public API signatures

Impact

• Cannot install pyindi-client on any modern Linux distribution (Debian Bookworm, Ubuntu 24.04+)
• Cannot build from source on macOS with Homebrew (current libindi versions)
• Blocks development of INDI Python clients on current systems

Solutions

1. Regenerate the SWIG wrapper using current SWIG against libindi v1.9.9

   • Update .i interface file if needed for v1.9.9 API
   • Regenerate indiclientpython_wrap.cxx
   • Test with Python 3.10+

2. OR release pyindi-client v2.3+ with pre-generated wrappers for libindi v1.9.9+

3. OR update build documentation to specify which exact libindi version is compatible with v2.2.0

Workarounds

Currently there are NO working workarounds for modern systems:

• Downgrading libindi to v1.9.3 is not available in current distros
• Pre-built wheels don't exist for current systems
• Alternative INDI Python bindings are not available

Steps to Reproduce

# Linux
docker run -it python:3.13 bash
apt-get update && apt-get install -y libindi-dev indi-bin build-essential swig pkg-config
pip install pyindi-client

# macOS
brew install libindi
pip install pyindi-client

Both fail with compilation errors as shown above.

Additional Context

• This is a SWIG/C++ binding maintenance issue, not a libindi issue
• The SWIG wrapper is the critical dependency for Python bindings
• Users cannot work around this at the application level
• This blocks any new INDI Python projects on modern systems

[knro]

Why aren't you using latest stable INDI 2.1.9?