MacOS – Force a specific version of a framework for a process

calendaricalmacospythonserver.app

So I think it's known that OS X 10.10.5 breaks calendar server because of incompatibilities between the version of Python on 10.10.5 and a specific part of the Calendar Server. It does work in 10.10.3 and 10.10.4. I have determined that by replacing the version of Python.framework in /System/Library/Frameworks that comes with 10.10.5 with a version from another machine (my laptop) that is running 10.10.3, the Calendar Server magically works again! However I am somewhat hesitant about allowing the entire 10.10.5 system to use the Python.framework from 10.10.3.

Is there a way to force only the Calendar Server process to use the 10.10.3 Python.framework, while the rest of the system can use the new one that came with 10.10.5?

I updated the server a few days ago and none of the people who depend on those calendars can access them right now. The fix offered by several other places was to update to 10.11, but I have some other applications that must run on this server that only work on 10.10, and are broken on 10.11. I'm sure there's no way to make them work on 10.11, so the only option for me right now is to stick with 10.10.

Best Answer

A dangerous way to move forward is to use the DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES environment variable to change which python framework the calendar server uses. You will need to edit the launchd plist for the calendar server inside of the Server.app bundle to add your the environment variable. Look in Server.app/Contents/ServerRoot/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ for the file.

The man pages for launchd.plist(5) and dyld(1) will be useful. Also the otool -L command may help you track down dependancies.

I'm not sure how well the calendar server will run with these changes.

Related Solutions

MacOS – How to install framework (from pkg file) in a non-standard location

Generally speaking, you can only relocate a package (that is, install it into a different directory) that has been built with relocation in mind.

If the package supports it, it can be relocated with the command line equivalent of Installer.app, conveniently called installer, with option -target (from man installer):

The target volume is specified with the -target parameter (-tgt is accepted as a synonym).

The argument to -target is:

A volume mount point (/Volumes/HDD), device node (/dev/disk0s5) or volume UUID (376C4046-083E-334F-AF08-62FAFBC4E352), for example:
```
installer -pkg InstallMe.pkg -target / 
```
Any of the values returned by -dominfo (LocalSystem or CurrentUserHomeDirectory), for example:
```
installer -pkg InstallMe.pkg -target CurrentUserHomeDirectory
```

(As you see, the latter command looks very promising. It would install InstallMe.pkg in the hierarchy of the home directory of the current user.)

In our specific case, unfortunately, ActiveState's Tcl package wasn't designed to be relocated:

It doesn't return any information for -dominfo:

$ installer -verbose -dominfo -pkg ActiveTcl-8.6.pkg
Domain information:
NoDomainsAvailable

Although the pkg file can be successfully installed on another volume:

$ sudo installer -verbose -pkg ActiveTcl-8.6.pkg -target /Volumes/DISK2GO/
installer: Package name is ActiveState ActiveTcl 8.6.0.0.296563
installer: Installing at base path /Volumes/DISK2GO
(...)   
#
installer: Writing files….....
(...)
installer: The software was successfully installed......
installer: The install was successful.
#

as can be seen here:

enter image description here

it doesn't work:

$ cd /Volumes/DISK2GO/usr/local/bin/
$ ./tclsh8.6
dyld: Library not loaded:
/Library/Frameworks/Tcl.framework/Versions/8.6/Tcl
  Referenced from: /Volumes/DISK2GO/usr/local/bin/./tclsh8.6
  Reason: image not found
Trace/BPT trap: 5
$  ./tclselect 
-bash: ./tclselect: /usr/local/bin/tclsh: bad interpreter: No such file or directory

The reason is that scripts and compiled tools use and are linked to /Library/Frameworks:

$ cd /Volumes/DISK2GO/usr/local/bin/
$ otool -L tclsh8.6 
 tclsh8.6:
 /Library/Frameworks/Tcl.framework/Versions/8.6/Tcl (compatibility version 8.6.0, current version 8.6.0)
(...)
$ grep Library tclselect 
#  /Library/Frameworks
# installation. I.e. a Tcl installed in '/Library/Frameworks' and
return /Library/Frameworks/Tcl.framework/Versions

If you wish to use ActiveState's Tcl you must install the package in its default location.

And as far as I can tell, it won't conflict with the installed Tcl framework:

OS X own framework is installed in /System/Library/Frameworks/Tk.framework/, some binaries in /usr/bin.
ActiveState's Tcl installs in /Library/Frameworks/Tcl.framework, /Library/Frameworks/Tk.framework, /Library/Tcl and /usr/local/bin (for a full listing, double click the pkg file and select File>ShowFiles).

Possible to generate html/text/web version of calendar for sharing

PDF

You can easily create a PDF of your calendar and attach that PDF file:

Open Calendar.app and go to the right date on your calendar
'File' -> 'Print' (or CommandP)
Select your settings and press 'Continue'
Press the button in the lower left corner that says 'PDF'
Now you can 'Save as PDF' or 'Email PDF'

PNG

You can also make a quick and dirty screenshot of your calendar:

Open Calendar.app and go to the right date on your calendar
Press CommandShift4, now release the keys and press Spacebar. Now a camera icon appears.
Click on your calendar once using the camera icon. A screenshot will be saved on your Desktop which you can attach to your email.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MacOS – How to install framework (from pkg file) in a non-standard location

Possible to generate html/text/web version of calendar for sharing

PDF

PNG

Related Question