buildInputs vs nativeBuildInputs

I always forget the different between the type of build inputs in a nix derivation.

Here is my explanation.

buildInputs: are for libraries loaded during execution.

nativeBuildInputs: are compilation libraries

Sometimes the libraries of nativeBuildInputs are not populated correctly by pkg-config. If I ever find a solution to this I will post it here. The only working solution I have is:

LD_LIBRARY_PATH = pkgs.lib.makeLibraryPath nativeBuildInputs;

UPDATE: 2024-07-22

From https://nixos.org/manual/nixpkgs/unstable/#ssec-stdenv-dependencies-overview:

"Add dependencies to nativeBuildInputs if they are executed during the build:

• those which are needed on $PATH during the build, for example cmake and pkg-config

• setup hooks, for example makeWrapper

• interpreters needed by patchShebangs for build scripts (with the --build flag), which can be the case for e.g. perl

Add dependencies to buildInputs if they will end up copied or linked into the final output or otherwise used at runtime:

• libraries used by compilers, for example zlib,

• interpreters needed by patchShebangs for scripts which are installed, which can be the case for e.g. perl"

Update: 2024-07-25

Another nice explanation