How to tell Automake about dependencies between source files.

[Peter Breitenlohner]

Hi,

I have to following problem (in an modernized TeX Live build system):

A program is built conditionally from distributed and generated sources.
Some of the distributed C files include generated headers and therefore can
not be compiled before these headers are generated.

A related problem: a tool generates a C file plus header from one source,
and another C file plus header from another source. Each of these C files
includes both headers, therefore the C files can not be compiled before both
headers have been created.

What is the best way to teach this kind of dependencies to Automake,
avoiding unnecessary tasks, not interfering with Automake's automatic
dependency tracking, and not having 'make dist' gratuitously build files
that are never used.

Best regards
Peter Breitenlohner <address@hidden>