Building Aeon on Windows (Guide v2017.04.26)
- Download and install latest Git
https://github.com/git-for-windows/git/releases/download/v2.12.2.windows.2/Git-2.12.2.2-64-bit.exe- To compile aeond.exe and simplewallet.exe you will need to install vs2015 Community RTM
(iso available to download here
https://xinyustudio.wordpress.com/2015/07/21/visual-studio-2015-iso-download-links-official-directoffline-links/)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/B/C/0BC321A4-013F-479C-84E6-4A2F90B11269/vs2015.com_enu.iso take care to uncheck box "visual studio 2015 update 3" else update 3 will be downloaded automatically.
Important note:
after installation you should be asked to reboot the OS. Do NOT forget this step, asked or not ! In addition to this, after rebooting you'll need to start Visual Studio Community 2015 GUI, as other components will be set up. 
FYI, all version numbers can be found here
https://omwtm.blog/2014/12/03/visual-studio-2013-version-numbers-and-updates/ https://omwtm.blog/2014/12/03/visual-studio-2013-version-numbers-and-updates/ - Download and install CMake version 3.8, win 32 installer. If you have a previous version uninstall it first.
https://cmake.org/files/v3.8/cmake-3.8.0-rc4-win32-x86.msi- Download and install Python x86-64 executable installer, which is needed by CMake. If you have version 3.4 or lower uninstall it first.
https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.6.1/python-3.6.1-amd64.exe Pay attention when installation asks if you want to add to system path and do so.
- Download ad install the pre-compiled Boost libraries v 1_63_00 for MSVC-14.0 64bit version
(take note of their install path):
https://sourceforge.net/projects/boost/files/boost-binaries/1.63.0/boost_1_63_0-msvc-14.0-64.exe/download Note: to build a distributable Aeon package you'll need to build Boost libraries from source, which it is indeed included in the download.
Yet please bear in mind that the aim of my guide is to enable common Aeon users in Windows environment to be readily up to date with the latest
Aeon release.
The following directory should be added to compiler include paths (following my own installation path):
D:\local\boost_1_63_0
The following directory should be added to linker library paths:
D:\local\boost_1_63_0\lib64-msvc-14.0
This will be done by means of cmake arguments, below.
- Now let's start the AEON compiling procedure (16GB RAM is the minimum I would recommend in order to proceed successfully):
Open the Git Shell (or Git bash) depending what you downloaded previously and do:
git clone https://github.com/aeonix/aeon press enter
cd aeon press enter
git checkout v0.9.12.0 press enter
mkdir build press enter
cd build press enter
cmake -G "Visual Studio 14 2015 Win64" -DBOOST_ROOT=D:\local\boost_1_63_0 -DBOOST_LIBRARYDIR=D:\local\boost_1_63_0\lib64-msvc-14.0 .. press enter
(the two dots are needed)
If the cmake gives errors issue this command instead:
cmake -G "Visual Studio 14 2015 Win64" -DBOOST_ROOT=D:/local/boost_1_63_0 -DBOOST_LIBRARYDIR=D:/local/boost_1_63_0/lib64-msvc-14.0 .. press enter
(the two dots are needed)
MSBuild Project.sln /p:Configuration=release /m press enter
After some time you'll find your .exe files in the path_to_your_aeon_repository\Build\Src\Release directory.
Alternative building procedure, using VS Community 2015 GUI: It is assumed that the
cmake step has been done successfully.
Close GIT Shell if still open.
Open VS Community 2015 GUI
File->Open-> Solution->path to aeon local repository/Project.sln
VS 2015 will then make a check of all includes. This will take some time, until in the lower-left corner you'll see "Ready". Patience!
Be sure that up above Release and x64 are selected
Build-> Build Solution
You'll see a message when the building process is ended.
You'll find your .exe files in the path_to_your_aeon_repository\Build\Src\Release directory.
In any case, after the exe files have been bult and copied in the position of your likings, always remember to clean the content inside the .../build directory to leave it ready for the very next build.
This will obviously require Git Shell or MSVC 2015 GUI to be closed.
Huge thanks to Smooth and Arux for their hard work
