# Build Dependencies for ldastools_cmake

## Overview
The ldastools_cmake package now includes unit tests for the cx_boost_* macros that require boost libraries during the build/test phase. These are **build-time only** dependencies and are not required at runtime.

## Updated Package Files

### 1. control.in (Debian/Ubuntu)
Added the following build dependencies:
- `libboost-dev` - Core boost development files
- `libboost-filesystem-dev` - Filesystem library (tested by cx_boost_filesystem)
- `libboost-system-dev` - System library (tested by cx_boost_system)
- `libboost-thread-dev` - Thread library (tested by cx_boost_component)
- `libboost-chrono-dev` - Chrono library (tested by cx_boost_component)

### 2. ldas-tools-cmake.spec.in (RedHat/CentOS)
Added the following BuildRequires:
- `boost-devel` - Core boost development files
- `boost-filesystem` - Filesystem library
- `boost-system` - System library
- `boost-thread` - Thread library
- `boost-chrono` - Chrono library

### 3. meta.yaml.in (Conda)
Added the following build requirements:
- `boost-cpp` - C++ boost libraries
- `boost` - Boost meta-package

## Important Notes

1. **No Runtime Dependencies**: These boost libraries are only needed during the build/test phase to validate the cx_boost_* macros work correctly. The ldastools_cmake package itself does not link against or require boost at runtime.

2. **Test-Only Usage**: The boost dependencies are used by:
   - `test/test_cx_boost_macros.cmake`
   - `test/test_cx_boost_environments.py`
   - `test/test_cx_boost_validation.py`
   - `test/integration/boost_test_simple.cpp`

3. **Platform Variations**: 
   - On EL8 systems, the tests will also check for boost169 packages if available
   - On macOS, tests will check for Homebrew boost installations
   - In conda environments, tests will use conda-provided boost

4. **CI/CD Impact**: Build systems will need these boost packages installed to run the unit tests during package building. This ensures the cx_boost_* macros are working correctly before distribution.

## Rationale
These dependencies were added to support comprehensive testing of the cx_boost_* macros that were implemented to fix boost detection issues across different platforms and environments (related to pipelines 747139 and 747251). The tests ensure that the macros correctly detect and configure boost across various installation scenarios.