Re: [PATCH] {maint} tests: new subroutines for test skipping/failing

[Stefano Lattarini]

Hello Ralf and all automakers.

Reference:
 <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/automake-patches/2011-01/msg00296.html>
Whole original thread:
 <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/automake-patches/2011-01/msg00192.html>
which stemmed from:
 <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/automake-patches/2011-01/msg00144.html>

> > Well, what I was trying to say is: what use is TESTS_SETUP if we expand
> > to
> >   $(AM_TESTS_SETUP) $(TESTS_SETUP) $(TESTS_ENVIRONMENT)
> > 
> > ?  It can simply be merged into TESTS_ENVIRONMENT; there is no point in
> > keeping them separate.
> > 
> > And then, we can rename AM_TESTS_SETUP to AM_TESTS_ENVIRONMENT if we
> > like, or not (consistency vs. green bikeshed question).
> > 
> > I'll leave it up to the person who writes the documentation with
> > detailed explanation of intended semantics.
> > 
> Attached is my attempt (I'm not sure the new documentation is organized
> in the best possible way, though).  Tested with "make html pdf".
> 
> BTW, should this patch (or an amndned version of it) go into maint or
> into master?
> 
> Thanks,
>    Stefano
> 
A friendly ping on this?

The failure to apply this patch is blocking the planned increase
of code sharing between gnulib's `tests/init.sh' and automake's
`tests/defs', which in turn is blocking the possibility to define
and use proper subroutines for test skipping/failing -- which in
turn is blocking the improvement/addition of more detailed, clear
explanations for test skips.

Regards,
  Stefano