Re: Trouble with 'guix download'

[ludo@gnu.org (Ludovic Courtès)]

Hello,

Luther Thompson <lutheroto@gmail.com> skribis:

> I'd like to install Python 3.6.3 with Guix, but Guix only has a package
> for 3.5.3. I'm trying to see if I can write my own package definition.
> I'm currently stuck trying to use 'guix download'. This is what I get:
>
> $ guix download https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.6.3/Python-3.6.3.tar.xz
>
> Starting download of /tmp/guix-file.E66CkS
> From https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.6.3/Python-3.6.3.tar.xz...
> ERROR: Wrong type to apply: #<syntax-transformer uri?>

This looks like a miscompilation issue.

Did you build Guix from source from a Git checkout, or did you install
the binary tarball and run ‘guix pull’?

> I have a broader question: I don't know if Guix is designed to make it
> easy for users to have their own personal package definitions.

It is.  Currently this is done by setting the ‘GUIX_PACKAGE_PATH’
variable to point to your personal package definitions:

  https://www.gnu.org/software/guix/manual/html_node/Package-Modules.html#index-GUIX_005fPACKAGE_005fPATH

> Would it be simpler for me to change the package in the Guix codebase
> and do a pull request than to write my own package?

We encourage you to submit general-purpose package
modifications/additions into Guix proper, of course.  To do that, it’s
probably better to have a Git checkout and make your changes in the Guix
codebase:

  https://www.gnu.org/software/guix/manual/html_node/Contributing.html

HTH!

Ludo’.