Enable arm support for gazebo image

[odidev]

Hi,

The Arm support from gazebo docker image is removed as part of PR #374 because of the compilation issue mention here gazebosim/gazebo-classic#2691

Now as the compilation issue problem is fixed as part of PR gazebosim/gazebo-classic#2753 don't you think we should enable the arm support again for gazebo docker image.

Thanks
Odidev

[mikaelarguedas]

Right now it cannot be reenabled because the fix you linked to has not been released for any distro and not backported to all active gazebo versions. So it's not possible to build docker images with it as the debs don't exist.

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In general I'm all for providing arm images when it's possible, for it to make sense it seems that at least 2 criteria should be met:

1. support for it from the project: commitment to test and release debs for any new version on amd64 as well as arm
2. use cases from the community: sufficient number of community members showing interest for the image with specific use cases they need the images for.

1. The fix linked to is a one-off but I couldn't find any commitment associated with it saying that "every future version will be supported and released on arm". This means we will likely go through the same process again as soon as a new version comes out and not building for arm.
   So IMO this comment still applies: "if Gazebo doesn't officially support their releases on arm I don't think we should provide docker images for them".

2. We haven't seen much use or request for these gazebo images on arm (the fact that there were no deb available or successful compilation for over a year is another good indicator of it). So far except from yours, demands for it have been mostly non-existent. From your previous requests, it looks like you wanted these images to exist "out of principle" as opposed to "having a real use case for it". Is it still the case ? Do you know of specific users or entities requesting this ? if so it would be great to loop them in here so that they can show their interest for this.

[rhenwood-arm]

hi @mikaelarguedas . I work with @odidev on this project. I appreciate your thoughts here. Currently I don't have a direct customer for this work at Arm. This ticket, and your comment, may encourage others who care to chime in.

Your comment about Debian is well made: I'm working with odidev with the distributions to ensure they all have the relevant fix as a base requirement. That certainly is a first step that provides good benefit.

[ruffsl]

Closing due to inactivity. If the status of gazebo's support for arm has improved, feel free to re-open, PRs welcome. Although, it seems like pushing for multi arch ignition images would be a better prospect: #354