Error building Timescale "From Source" on Windows

TimescaleDB and PostgreSQL Installation, Configuration, and Errors
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1

In brief:
C2146, C2065, C2040 errors when building Timescale 2.9.3 from source on Windows machine

TimescaleDB version:
2.9.3

PostgreSQL version:
13

Other software:
OS:
Windows

Platform:
Install method: [Source|Docker|Deb/Apt|RPM|Homebrew|Other|Not relevant]
Source

Environment: [Production, Test, Development]
Development

I have an existing Postgres 13 database installed on my localhost. I would like to add Timescale to a couple tables within that database without needing to migrate the entire database to Timescale. I am following the “Self-Hosted From Source” instructions, but receive errors when I build the extension. Here are some of the errors I receive:

$ cmake --build ./build --config Release
Microsoft (R) Build Engine version 15.9.21+g9802d43bc3 for .NET Framework
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

timescaledb.vcxproj → C:\sites\timescaledb\build\src\Release\timescaledb-2.9.3.dll
timescaledb-loader.vcxproj → C:\sites\timescaledb\build\src\loader\Release\timescaledb.dll
dist_copy.c
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1106): error C2146: syntax error: missing ‘;’ before identifier ‘fields’ [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1106): error C2065: ‘fields’: undeclared identifier [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1106): warning C4047: ‘=’: ‘int’ differs in levels of indirection from ‘char **’ [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1107): error C2040: ‘restrict’: ‘char *’ differs in levels of indirection from ‘char **’ [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1107): error C2146: syntax error: missing ‘;’ before identifier ‘output’ [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1107): error C2065: ‘output’: undeclared identifier [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1107): warning C4047: ‘=’: ‘int’ differs in levels of indirection from ‘char *’ [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]
C:\sites\timescaledb\tsl\src\remote\dist_copy.c(1111): error C2146: syntax error: missing ‘;’ before identifier ‘src’ [C:\sites\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]

I have then tried to continue with the installation process and install TimescaleDB, but that results in similar errors

2

Hi @Polyester1065, I see your pain and sorry for the delay. For some reason the anti spam system flagged your message.

I’m not very familiar with windows development with C and if you are not familiar too, try another method, like Timescale cloud or docker. Building C code with several extensions and dependencies on windows need some advanced knowledge of development environment. I’m not sure if people develop too much on windows.

3

Can you use Timescale cloud or docker to add Timescale to existing databases? I didn’t think so.

4

Suddenly you need to restore the backup. We’re releasing a migration tool that will make it very easy to migrate much faster than regular tools. Take a look on hypershift and let us know if it helps you!