Use Meson to build all babelized projects

[mdpiper]

Currently, we use setuptools (C, C++, Python) and numpy.distutils (Fortran) to build babelized projects. With numpy.distutils being removed in Python 3.12, we need a different build system for Fortran projects (see #77). Meson, along with meson-python, was suggested as an alternative.

To keep things as simple as possible in the babelizer, it would be ideal to use the same build system for all babelized projects. Meson (and meson-python) can build C, C++, Fortran, Python, and Java projects, using a configuration file that can be templated.

[mdpiper]

I've successfully built a Fortran project, the babelized version of the heat model from bmi-example-fortran, using meson-python. I've also built the analogous C project. The results are here:

• https://github.com/mdpiper/pymt_heatf
• https://github.com/mdpiper/pymt_heatc

Meson (and meson-python) worked great!

[aufdenkampe]

@mdpiper, this is exciting to see. When might you move forward with this for a future release?

@Volk3rJ, @ptomasula, and I are exploring how we might move forward with using Babelizer for our new BMI wrapping & coupling work that I mentioned in csdms/pymt#166

[mdpiper]

Hi @aufdenkampe -- I'd love to get this done soon, but scheduling is a problem. I talked with @mcflugen last week and this fits with his push to get our Workbench tools up to date. Maybe the first half of March?

[aufdenkampe]

@mdpiper, that's great to hear that you might be able to get this done in the next few weeks! Thanks for the update!

[mdpiper]

@aufdenkampe If it would help, if you watch this repository (clicking the Watch button on https://github.com/csdms/babelizer) you'll get email updates whenever a new issue or PR is made so you can track our progress.