Re: [RFA] autotest speedup

[Paolo Bonzini]

> > +#######################
> > +### Shell functions ###
> > +#######################
>
> Let's use m4_text_box here.

I used the "m4_text_box"-like comment so that it stands out in the code 
of autotest, not (only) to have a nice output in the testsuite.

> And are we doing this in the optimal diversion?
> Do we need any m4sh support for writing portable shell functions?

We could use AS_REQUIRE_SHELL_FN instead, but that one is more useful if 
you don't want to emit the shell function unless necessary (which is not 
the case here).

> I debated about making:
> m4_cond(TEST, [not,] VAL1, IF-[NOT-]VAL1, ...)

I think it is more complicated than necessary.  The lazy m4_if is nice, 
though I'm not sure I like the name.  Also, it adds one more "quoting 
rule" for the "non-initiated" (it took me already a while to get used 
not to quote m4_if arguments...).

Paolo