Re: problems with node Utilities in Makefiles

[Stepan Kasal]

Hello,

On Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 08:49:48PM +0200, Ralf Wildenhues wrote:
> I suppose you could prepare a patch to avoid needing two separate
> agreements (one on the idea and one on the patch  ;-)

well, I'm far from understanding what the patch should actually
contain.

We agree about the awk, you convinced me that the "mkdir -p" proposal
did not make sense, but the remaining two issues puzzle me:

> > 3) If you use the Automake option dist-bzip2, then "make dist" uses

So do I understand correctly that if I use the dist-bzip2 option in a
GNU package, I'm breaching the GCS?
But if I call "make dist-bzip2" to create the second tarball in order
to publish both, it's ok?

IOW, the option would be very handy, but I'm not allowed to use it.

Doesn't that sound weird?

> > 2) "make dist" in Automake-generated makefiles depends on "find and
> > chmod" to remove the distdir.
> 
> find and chmod are listed in GCS, `Install Command Categories'.

(Well, I have to admit this node is a surprise for me.  I'll need
time to understand it.)

The node `Utilities in Makefiles' says

: [...] the Makefile rules for [...] installation should not use any
: utilities directly except these:
:       [awk] cat cmp cp diff echo egrep expr false grep install-info
:       ln ls mkdir mv pwd rm rmdir sed sleep sort tar test touch true


`find' is not allowed, `chmod' is allowed at the end of the node, but
only if ``used via Make variables'' (sic!).

OTOH, node `Install Command Categories' allows a much broader set of
commands for pre- and post-install commands.

My first impression was: ``These statements contradicteach other!''
Then:
``Well, no.  Strictly interpreted, the intersection of these two is
allowed.  `find' is forbidden, `chmod' is allowed only through a
veriable.''
And:
``Automake uses Make variable `am__remove_distdir' for the cleanup.
Does that qualify as >>caling `chmod' via a Make variable<<?

Third interpretation: the node `Utilities in Makefiles' probably
meant normal instalation commands in the Make rules for installation,
not all command in those rules.

I'm totally dazzled.

I will try to read the whole make-stds.texi, perhaps I'll get a clue. 

Right now, I can submit only the following one-line patch.

Have a nice day,
        Stepan Kasal

gnustandards-awk.patch
Description: Text document