Re: Automake 1.16.1: problem with non-gnu make and gnulib

[Assaf Gordon]

Hello Bob,

On 2019-08-24 5:26 p.m., Bob Friesenhahn wrote:
> On Sat, 24 Aug 2019, Assaf Gordon wrote:
> > hello_LDADD =  $(top_builddir)/lib/lib$(PACKAGE).a
> > datamash_LDADD =  $(top_builddir)/lib/lib$(PACKAGE).a
> This seems like a bug in those two packages.  It should never be 
> desirable to refer to the build directory other than by using the 
> knowledge that the build is done using the current directory.

Why do you say so?
Is there a reference to somewhere authoritative with such recommendation?

"top_builddir" is supposed to point to the build directory,
and similarly there's "abs_top_builddir", as well as some others:
https://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf/manual/autoconf-2.63/html_node/Preset-Output-Variables.html

Why shouldn't they be used?

> > However,
> > This change (regression?) seems to come from automake, perhaps
> > consider a bugfix for future versions.
>
> Unfortunately, the 'hello' program is supposed to be a reference example 
> of the right things to do.

That,
and the fact it it was working fine for many years and automake versions 
is the reason I ask why do you think it should not be used.

Thanks,
 - assaf