Re: Feature request / patch: dependency-only prerequisites

[Paul Smith]

On Tue, 2019-07-09 at 20:19 +0200, Christof Warlich wrote:
> Am 09.07.19 um 15:42 schrieb David Boyce:
> > I also think the proposal is reasonable but I think it would be
> > "stickier", i.e. less likely to get lost, if you filed it as an
> > enhancement request via the Savannah bug reporting system.
>  I'd be glad to do that if it increases the chance to get it in. But
> I couldn't find the Savannah bug reporting system (on 
> https://savannah.gnu.org/). Do I need to create a new user and log in
> to be able to file an enhancement request?

https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/?func=additem&group=make

You don't have to make an account in order to file a bug, but be sure
to add yourself to mail notifications if you don't create an account,
or you won't get any updates.

My first reaction is that this solution seems like a very big hammer
(in terms of changes to makefile syntax) to handle a relatively rare
and specific situation.  I wonder if there's an alternative that gives
the same result but is a bit less intrusive.

What if we do this instead: create a variable which can contain a list
of "hidden prerequisites": they will always be built first but they
won't cause any changes in the automatic variables.  If set globally it
will apply to all targets.  If set as a target-specific variable then
it applies only to that target (and its prerequisites, which can be
remediated with the private keyword).

This seems like it could be something generally useful, to ensure some
targets are always built first, as well as useful in this context.


On another topic, note that these changes are of a size that they do
meet the requirement for copyright assignment before they can be
applied.  I can forward you the details if that's something you're
interested in.

Cheers!