Add MS build tools

[eljefedelrodeodeljefe]

Afaik, node-gyp now integrates MS build as binary, so users wouldn't depend on installed software. Getting and integrating this binary should be goal for this project.

[refack]

I don't like npm packages installing global stuff. Especialy MSVS (even the build tools) which is a cancer that changes so much things on your system.

What should be done, that node-gyp doesn't do, is fail early with an informative error that explains how to install. Maybe install only on user approval.

[eljefedelrodeodeljefe]

I am pretty sure you can have the stuff locally. I'll look into it.

[refack]

I think the recommended solution by node-gyp is to install https://github.com/felixrieseberg/windows-build-tools with installs MSVS Buildtools. But I really dislike this.

[refack]

I am pretty sure you can have the stuff locally. I look into it.

I've looked into it, you can install the compiler, but not the SDK which is critical (has all the .h files). And windows-build-tools does a horrible job at that.

[refack]

AHHHH https://github.com/felixrieseberg/windows-build-tools/blob/master/src/install/index.js#L90

[refack]

Look into https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/vcblog/2016/02/16/try-out-the-latest-c-compiler-toolset-without-waiting-for-the-next-update-of-visual-studio/

[refack]

I just got a official answer from MS. The build tools are officially "xcopyable", the SDK isn't (officially). But it could be done, just need to either set some ENV vars or a few registry keys, for the two to find each other.
But it's huge (~3GB). I'll do a few compilations with an IO tracer to see which files are actually used.

[eljefedelrodeodeljefe]

After looking at it and your pointers above I am also doubtful that it should be integrated here. It's quite convoluted. I may only take the compiler an figure out a decent way to get the SDK or at least good install docs.

[refack]

It's been a long standing (5 years or more) dream of mine to get an xcopyable windows dev environment, or at least a simple recipe, since I have an aversion to Installers.
It's definatly getting closer.