cdo @1.9.5: error: could not determine ar interface

[stineb (Benjamin Stocker)]

After updating to Mac OS Mojave,

port install cdo

fails with the following log:

This file contains any messages produced by compilers while
running configure, to aid debugging if configure makes a mistake.

It was created by cdo configure 1.9.5, which was
generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.  Invocation command line was

  $ ./configure --prefix=/opt/local --with-netcdf=/opt/local --disable-dependency-tracking --disable-openmp --with-proj=/opt/local/lib/proj5 --with-hdf5=/opt/local --with-udunits2=/opt/local --with-fftw3 --with-curl=/opt/local --with-zlib=/opt/local --with-jasper=/opt/local --with-eccodes=/opt/local --disable-cgribex

## --------- ##
## Platform. ##
## --------- ##

hostname = Benjamins-MacBook-Pro-3.local
uname -m = x86_64
uname -r = 18.2.0
uname -s = Darwin
uname -v = Darwin Kernel Version 18.2.0: Fri Oct  5 19:41:49 PDT 2018; root:xnu-4903.221.2~2/RELEASE_X86_64

/usr/bin/uname -p = i386
/bin/uname -X     = unknown

/bin/arch              = unknown
/usr/bin/arch -k       = unknown
/usr/convex/getsysinfo = unknown
/usr/bin/hostinfo      = Mach kernel version:
	 Darwin Kernel Version 18.2.0: Fri Oct  5 19:41:49 PDT 2018; root:xnu-4903.221.2~2/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel configured for up to 8 processors.
4 processors are physically available.
8 processors are logically available.
Processor type: x86_64h (Intel x86-64h Haswell)
Processors active: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Primary memory available: 16.00 gigabytes
Default processor set: 545 tasks, 2601 threads, 8 processors
Load average: 2.73, Mach factor: 5.26
/bin/machine           = unknown
/usr/bin/oslevel       = unknown
/bin/universe          = unknown

PATH: /opt/local/bin
PATH: /opt/local/sbin
PATH: /bin
PATH: /sbin
PATH: /usr/bin
PATH: /usr/sbin


## ----------- ##
## Core tests. ##
## ----------- ##

configure:2875: checking build system type
configure:2889: result: x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0
configure:2909: checking host system type
configure:2922: result: x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0
configure:2961: checking for a BSD-compatible install
configure:3029: result: /usr/bin/install -c
configure:3040: checking whether build environment is sane
configure:3095: result: yes
configure:3246: checking for a thread-safe mkdir -p
configure:3285: result: config/install-sh -c -d
configure:3292: checking for gawk
configure:3322: result: no
configure:3292: checking for mawk
configure:3322: result: no
configure:3292: checking for nawk
configure:3322: result: no
configure:3292: checking for awk
configure:3308: found /usr/bin/awk
configure:3319: result: awk
configure:3330: checking whether make sets $(MAKE)
configure:3352: result: yes
configure:3381: checking whether make supports nested variables
configure:3398: result: yes
configure:3527: checking whether to enable maintainer-specific portions of Makefiles
configure:3536: result: no
configure:3555: checking whether make supports the include directive
configure:3570: make -f confmf.GNU && cat confinc.out
this is the am__doit target
configure:3573: $? = 0
configure:3592: result: yes (GNU style)
configure:3662: checking for gcc
configure:3689: result: /usr/bin/clang
configure:3918: checking for C compiler version
configure:3927: /usr/bin/clang --version >&5
Apple LLVM version 10.0.0 (clang-1000.11.45.5)
Target: x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0
Thread model: posix
InstalledDir: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/bin
configure:3938: $? = 0
configure:3927: /usr/bin/clang -v >&5
Apple LLVM version 10.0.0 (clang-1000.11.45.5)
Target: x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0
Thread model: posix
InstalledDir: /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Toolchains/XcodeDefault.xctoolchain/usr/bin
configure:3938: $? = 0
configure:3927: /usr/bin/clang -V >&5
clang: error: argument to '-V' is missing (expected 1 value)
clang: error: no input files
configure:3938: $? = 1
configure:3927: /usr/bin/clang -qversion >&5
clang: error: unknown argument: '-qversion'
clang: error: no input files
configure:3938: $? = 1
configure:3958: checking whether the C compiler works
configure:3980: /usr/bin/clang -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -L/opt/local/lib -Wl,-headerpad_max_install_names -lhdf5 -lpng -lopenjpeg -Wl,-syslibroot,/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 conftest.c  >&5
configure:3984: $? = 0
configure:4032: result: yes
configure:4035: checking for C compiler default output file name
configure:4037: result: a.out
configure:4043: checking for suffix of executables
configure:4050: /usr/bin/clang -o conftest -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -L/opt/local/lib -Wl,-headerpad_max_install_names -lhdf5 -lpng -lopenjpeg -Wl,-syslibroot,/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 conftest.c  >&5
configure:4054: $? = 0
configure:4076: result: 
configure:4098: checking whether we are cross compiling
configure:4106: /usr/bin/clang -o conftest -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -L/opt/local/lib -Wl,-headerpad_max_install_names -lhdf5 -lpng -lopenjpeg -Wl,-syslibroot,/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 conftest.c  >&5
configure:4110: $? = 0
configure:4117: ./conftest
configure:4121: $? = 0
configure:4136: result: no
configure:4141: checking for suffix of object files
configure:4163: /usr/bin/clang -c -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk conftest.c >&5
configure:4167: $? = 0
configure:4188: result: o
configure:4192: checking whether we are using the GNU C compiler
configure:4211: /usr/bin/clang -c -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk conftest.c >&5
configure:4211: $? = 0
configure:4220: result: yes
configure:4229: checking whether /usr/bin/clang accepts -g
configure:4249: /usr/bin/clang -c -g -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk conftest.c >&5
configure:4249: $? = 0
configure:4290: result: yes
configure:4307: checking for /usr/bin/clang option to accept ISO C89
configure:4370: /usr/bin/clang  -c -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk conftest.c >&5
configure:4370: $? = 0
configure:4383: result: none needed
configure:4408: checking whether /usr/bin/clang understands -c and -o together
configure:4430: /usr/bin/clang -c conftest.c -o conftest2.o
configure:4433: $? = 0
configure:4430: /usr/bin/clang -c conftest.c -o conftest2.o
configure:4433: $? = 0
configure:4445: result: yes
configure:4464: checking dependency style of /usr/bin/clang
configure:4575: result: none
configure:4640: checking for ar
configure:4656: found /opt/local/bin/ar
configure:4667: result: ar
configure:4693: checking the archiver (ar) interface
configure:4709: /usr/bin/clang -c -pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk conftest.c >&5
configure:4709: $? = 0
configure:4711: ar cru libconftest.a conftest.o >&5
/opt/local/bin/ranlib: object: libconftest.a(conftest.o) malformed object (unknown load command 1)
ar: internal ranlib command failed
configure:4714: $? = 1
configure:4720: ar -NOLOGO -OUT:conftest.lib conftest.o >&5
ar: illegal option -- N
usage:  ar -d [-TLsv] archive file ...
	ar -m [-TLsv] archive file ...
	ar -m [-abiTLsv] position archive file ...
	ar -p [-TLsv] archive [file ...]
	ar -q [-cTLsv] archive file ...
	ar -r [-cuTLsv] archive file ...
	ar -r [-abciuTLsv] position archive file ...
	ar -t [-TLsv] archive [file ...]
	ar -x [-ouTLsv] archive [file ...]
configure:4723: $? = 1
configure:4742: result: unknown
configure:4758: error: could not determine ar interface

## ---------------- ##
## Cache variables. ##
## ---------------- ##

ac_cv_build=x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0
ac_cv_c_compiler_gnu=yes
ac_cv_env_CCC_set=
ac_cv_env_CCC_value=
ac_cv_env_CC_set=set
ac_cv_env_CC_value=/usr/bin/clang
ac_cv_env_CFLAGS_set=set
ac_cv_env_CFLAGS_value='-pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64'
ac_cv_env_CPPFLAGS_set=set
ac_cv_env_CPPFLAGS_value='-I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk'
ac_cv_env_CPP_set=
ac_cv_env_CPP_value=
ac_cv_env_CXXCPP_set=
ac_cv_env_CXXCPP_value=
ac_cv_env_CXXFLAGS_set=set
ac_cv_env_CXXFLAGS_value='-pipe -Os -stdlib=libc++ -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64'
ac_cv_env_CXX_set=set
ac_cv_env_CXX_value=/usr/bin/clang++
ac_cv_env_DCE_UUID_C_INCLUDE_set=
ac_cv_env_DCE_UUID_C_INCLUDE_value=
ac_cv_env_DCE_UUID_C_LIB_set=
ac_cv_env_DCE_UUID_C_LIB_value=
ac_cv_env_F77_set=
ac_cv_env_F77_value=
ac_cv_env_FFLAGS_set=set
ac_cv_env_FFLAGS_value='-pipe -Os'
ac_cv_env_LDFLAGS_set=set
ac_cv_env_LDFLAGS_value='-L/opt/local/lib -Wl,-headerpad_max_install_names -lhdf5 -lpng -lopenjpeg -Wl,-syslibroot,/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64'
ac_cv_env_LIBS_set=
ac_cv_env_LIBS_value=
ac_cv_env_LT_SYS_LIBRARY_PATH_set=
ac_cv_env_LT_SYS_LIBRARY_PATH_value=
ac_cv_env_OSSP_UUID_C_INCLUDE_set=
ac_cv_env_OSSP_UUID_C_INCLUDE_value=
ac_cv_env_OSSP_UUID_C_LIB_set=
ac_cv_env_OSSP_UUID_C_LIB_value=
ac_cv_env_UTIL_LINUX_UUID_C_INCLUDE_set=
ac_cv_env_UTIL_LINUX_UUID_C_INCLUDE_value=
ac_cv_env_UTIL_LINUX_UUID_C_LIB_set=
ac_cv_env_UTIL_LINUX_UUID_C_LIB_value=
ac_cv_env_build_alias_set=
ac_cv_env_build_alias_value=
ac_cv_env_host_alias_set=
ac_cv_env_host_alias_value=
ac_cv_env_target_alias_set=
ac_cv_env_target_alias_value=
ac_cv_host=x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0
ac_cv_objext=o
ac_cv_prog_AWK=awk
ac_cv_prog_ac_ct_AR=ar
ac_cv_prog_ac_ct_CC=/usr/bin/clang
ac_cv_prog_cc_c89=
ac_cv_prog_cc_g=yes
ac_cv_prog_make_make_set=yes
am_cv_CC_dependencies_compiler_type=none
am_cv_ar_interface=unknown
am_cv_make_support_nested_variables=yes
am_cv_prog_cc_c_o=yes

## ----------------- ##
## Output variables. ##
## ----------------- ##

ACLOCAL='${SHELL} /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_science_cdo/cdo/work/cdo-1.9.5/config/missing aclocal-1.16'
AMDEPBACKSLASH=''
AMDEP_FALSE=''
AMDEP_TRUE='#'
AMTAR='$${TAR-tar}'
AM_BACKSLASH='\'
AM_CPPFLAGS=''
AM_DEFAULT_V='$(AM_DEFAULT_VERBOSITY)'
AM_DEFAULT_VERBOSITY='1'
AM_V='$(V)'
AR='ar'
AS=''
AUTOCONF='${SHELL} /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_science_cdo/cdo/work/cdo-1.9.5/config/missing autoconf'
AUTOHEADER='${SHELL} /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_science_cdo/cdo/work/cdo-1.9.5/config/missing autoheader'
AUTOMAKE='${SHELL} /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_science_cdo/cdo/work/cdo-1.9.5/config/missing automake-1.16'
AWK='awk'
BASH='/bin/sh'
BUILD_AVX2_TESTS_FALSE=''
BUILD_AVX2_TESTS_TRUE=''
BUILD_AVX_TESTS_FALSE=''
BUILD_AVX_TESTS_TRUE=''
BUILD_SSE42_TESTS_FALSE=''
BUILD_SSE42_TESTS_TRUE=''
CC='/usr/bin/clang'
CCDEPMODE='depmode=none'
CFLAGS='-pipe -Os -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64'
CLDFLAGS=''
CLIBS=''
CMOR_LIBS=''
CPP=''
CPPFLAGS='-I/opt/local/include -I/opt/local/include/udunits2 -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk'
CURL_INCLUDE=''
CURL_LDFLAGS=''
CXX='/usr/bin/clang++'
CXXCPP=''
CXXDEPMODE=''
CXXFLAGS='-pipe -Os -stdlib=libc++ -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64'
CYGPATH_W='echo'
DCE_UUIDROOT=''
DCE_UUID_C_INCLUDE=''
DCE_UUID_C_LIB=''
DEFS=''
DEPDIR='.deps'
DLLTOOL=''
DSYMUTIL=''
DUMPBIN=''
ECCODES_INCLUDE=''
ECCODES_LIBS=''
ECHO_C='\c'
ECHO_N=''
ECHO_T=''
EGREP=''
ENABLE_ALL_STATIC_FALSE=''
ENABLE_ALL_STATIC_TRUE=''
ENABLE_CDI_LIB=''
ENABLE_CDI_LIB_FALSE=''
ENABLE_CDI_LIB_TRUE=''
ENABLE_CGRIBEX=''
ENABLE_DATA=''
ENABLE_EXTRA=''
ENABLE_FORTRAN=''
ENABLE_GRIB=''
ENABLE_GRIBAPI=''
ENABLE_HIRLAM_EXTENSIONS_FALSE=''
ENABLE_HIRLAM_EXTENSIONS_TRUE=''
ENABLE_IEG=''
ENABLE_MAGICS_FALSE=''
ENABLE_MAGICS_TRUE=''
ENABLE_NC2=''
ENABLE_NC4=''
ENABLE_NC4HDF5=''
ENABLE_NETCDF=''
ENABLE_SERVICE=''
ENABLE_THREADS=''
EXEEXT=''
F77=''
FFLAGS='-pipe -Os'
FGREP=''
FORTRAN_WORKS=''
GREP=''
GRIB_API_INCLUDE=''
GRIB_API_LIBS=''
HAVE_CXX11=''
HAVE_LIBGRIB_API_FALSE=''
HAVE_LIBGRIB_API_TRUE=''
HDF5_INCLUDE=''
HDF5_LIBS=''
HDF5_ROOT=''
INSTALL_DATA='${INSTALL} -m 644'
INSTALL_PROGRAM='${INSTALL}'
INSTALL_SCRIPT='${INSTALL}'
INSTALL_STRIP_PROGRAM='$(install_sh) -c -s'
LD=''
LDFLAGS='-L/opt/local/lib -Wl,-headerpad_max_install_names -lhdf5 -lpng -lopenjpeg -Wl,-syslibroot,/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64'
LIBOBJS=''
LIBS=''
LIBTOOL=''
LIPO=''
LN_S=''
LTLIBOBJS=''
LT_SYS_LIBRARY_PATH=''
MAGICS_INCLUDE=''
MAGICS_LIBS=''
MAGICS_ROOT=''
MAINT='#'
MAINTAINER_MODE_FALSE=''
MAINTAINER_MODE_TRUE='#'
MAKEINFO='${SHELL} /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_science_cdo/cdo/work/cdo-1.9.5/config/missing makeinfo'
MANIFEST_TOOL=''
MKDIR_P='config/install-sh -c -d'
NC_CONFIG=''
NETCDF_INCLUDE=''
NETCDF_LIBS=''
NETCDF_ROOT=''
NM=''
NMEDIT=''
OBJDUMP=''
OBJEXT='o'
OPENMP_CFLAGS=''
OSSP_UUIDROOT=''
OSSP_UUID_C_INCLUDE=''
OSSP_UUID_C_LIB=''
OTOOL64=''
OTOOL=''
PACKAGE='cdo'
PACKAGE_BUGREPORT='http://mpimet.mpg.de/cdo'
PACKAGE_NAME='cdo'
PACKAGE_STRING='cdo 1.9.5'
PACKAGE_TARNAME='cdo'
PACKAGE_URL=''
PACKAGE_VERSION='1.9.5'
PATH_SEPARATOR=':'
PROJ_INCLUDE=''
PROJ_LDFLAGS=''
PTHREAD_CC=''
PTHREAD_CFLAGS=''
PTHREAD_LIBS=''
RANLIB=''
SED=''
SET_MAKE=''
SHELL='/bin/sh'
STRIP=''
SYSTEM_TYPE=''
SZLIB_INCLUDE=''
SZLIB_LIBS=''
THREADS_INCLUDE=''
THREADS_LIBS=''
UDUNITS_INCLUDE=''
UDUNITS_LDFLAGS=''
USE_F77_FALSE=''
USE_F77_TRUE=''
UTIL_LINUX_UUIDROOT=''
UTIL_LINUX_UUID_C_INCLUDE=''
UTIL_LINUX_UUID_C_LIB=''
UUID_C_INCLUDE=''
UUID_C_LIB=''
VERSION='1.9.5'
XML2_LIBS=''
ac_ct_AR='ar'
ac_ct_CC='/usr/bin/clang'
ac_ct_CXX=''
ac_ct_DUMPBIN=''
ac_ct_F77=''
am__EXEEXT_FALSE=''
am__EXEEXT_TRUE=''
am__fastdepCC_FALSE=''
am__fastdepCC_TRUE='#'
am__fastdepCXX_FALSE=''
am__fastdepCXX_TRUE=''
am__include='include'
am__isrc=''
am__leading_dot='.'
am__nodep=''
am__quote=''
am__tar='$${TAR-tar} chof - "$$tardir"'
am__untar='$${TAR-tar} xf -'
ax_pthread_config=''
bindir='${exec_prefix}/bin'
build='x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0'
build_alias=''
build_cpu='x86_64'
build_os='darwin18.2.0'
build_vendor='apple'
datadir='${datarootdir}'
datarootdir='${prefix}/share'
docdir='${datarootdir}/doc/${PACKAGE_TARNAME}'
dvidir='${docdir}'
exec_prefix='NONE'
host='x86_64-apple-darwin18.2.0'
host_alias=''
host_cpu='x86_64'
host_os='darwin18.2.0'
host_vendor='apple'
htmldir='${docdir}'
includedir='${prefix}/include'
infodir='${datarootdir}/info'
install_sh='${SHELL} /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_macports_release_tarballs_ports_science_cdo/cdo/work/cdo-1.9.5/config/install-sh'
libdir='${exec_prefix}/lib'
libexecdir='${exec_prefix}/libexec'
localedir='${datarootdir}/locale'
localstatedir='${prefix}/var'
mandir='${datarootdir}/man'
mkdir_p='$(MKDIR_P)'
oldincludedir='/usr/include'
pdfdir='${docdir}'
prefix='/opt/local'
program_transform_name='s,x,x,'
psdir='${docdir}'
sbindir='${exec_prefix}/sbin'
sharedstatedir='${prefix}/com'
subdirs=''
sysconfdir='${prefix}/etc'
target_alias=''

## ----------- ##
## confdefs.h. ##
## ----------- ##

/* confdefs.h */
#define PACKAGE_NAME "cdo"
#define PACKAGE_TARNAME "cdo"
#define PACKAGE_VERSION "1.9.5"
#define PACKAGE_STRING "cdo 1.9.5"
#define PACKAGE_BUGREPORT "http://mpimet.mpg.de/cdo"
#define PACKAGE_URL ""
#define CDO "1.9.5"
#define PACKAGE "cdo"
#define VERSION "1.9.5"

configure: exit 1

[tenomoto (Takeshi Enomoto)]

Error seems to occur in the following before ar -NOLOGO.

configure:4711: ar cru libconftest.a conftest.o >&5
/opt/local/bin/ranlib: object: libconftest.a(conftest.o) malformed object (unknown load command 1)
ar: internal ranlib command failed

[jmsoeiro (José Soeiro Carvalho)]

While installing gd2 (trying octave -> gnuplot) I get the same message.

ports are up to date, as are Xcode command line utils. I uninstalled previous versions and did a clean install with

 sudo port install gd2

Some excerpts from config.log:

The error seems to be where @tenomoto suggests.

It was created by GD configure 2.2.5, which was
generated by GNU Autoconf 2.69.  Invocation command line was

  $ ./configure --prefix=/opt/local --disable-werror --with-freetype=/opt/local --with-fontconfig=/opt/local --with-jpeg=/opt/local --with-png=/opt/local --with-tiff=/opt/local --with-webp=/opt/local --with-zlib=/opt/local --without-liq --with-xpm=/opt/local --x-includes=/opt/local/include --x-libraries=/opt/local/lib

## --------- ##
## Platform. ##
## --------- ##

hostname = f02ca1204.fe.up.pt
uname -m = x86_64
uname -r = 18.2.0
uname -s = Darwin
uname -v = Darwin Kernel Version 18.2.0: Thu Dec 20 20:46:53 PST 2018; root:xnu-4903.241.1~1/RELEASE_X86_64

/usr/bin/uname -p = i386
/bin/uname -X     = unknown

/bin/arch              = unknown
/usr/bin/arch -k       = unknown
/usr/convex/getsysinfo = unknown
/usr/bin/hostinfo      = Mach kernel version:
	 Darwin Kernel Version 18.2.0: Thu Dec 20 20:46:53 PST 2018; root:xnu-4903.241.1~1/RELEASE_X86_64
...........

configure:4172: checking for ar
configure:4188: found /opt/local/bin/ar
configure:4199: result: ar
configure:4225: checking the archiver (ar) interface
configure:4241: /usr/bin/clang -c -pipe -Os -DDEFAULT_FONTPATH=\"/System/Library/Fonts:/Library/Fonts\" -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk -arch x86_64 -I/opt/local/include -isysroot/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer/Platforms/MacOSX.platform/Developer/SDKs/MacOSX10.14.sdk conftest.c >&5
In file included from <built-in>:362:
<command line>:1:27: warning: missing terminating '"' character [-Winvalid-pp-token]
#define DEFAULT_FONTPATH \"/System/Library/Fonts:/Library/Fonts\"
                          ^
1 warning generated.
configure:4241: $? = 0
configure:4243: ar cru libconftest.a conftest.o >&5
/opt/local/bin/ranlib: object: libconftest.a(conftest.o) malformed object (unknown load command 1)
ar: internal ranlib command failed
configure:4246: $? = 1
configure:4252: ar -NOLOGO -OUT:conftest.lib conftest.o >&5
ar: illegal option -- N
usage:  ar -d [-TLsv] archive file ...
	ar -m [-TLsv] archive file ...
	ar -m [-abiTLsv] position archive file ...
	ar -p [-TLsv] archive [file ...]
	ar -q [-cTLsv] archive file ...
	ar -r [-cuTLsv] archive file ...
	ar -r [-abciuTLsv] position archive file ...
	ar -t [-TLsv] archive [file ...]
	ar -x [-ouTLsv] archive [file ...]
configure:4255: $? = 1
configure:4274: result: unknown
configure:4290: error: could not determine ar interface

[tenomoto (Takeshi Enomoto)]

Check if your ar is correctly installed by cctools.

    port provides /opt/local/bin/ar

should return

/opt/local/bin/ar is provided by: cctools