Re: Makeinfo generates wrong link

[Gavin Smith]

On Sun, Oct 02, 2022 at 09:06:06PM -0400, Richard Stallman wrote:
> generates the following output:
> 
>     <li> Some macros are predefined on each kind of machine
>     (see <a 
> href="https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/System_002dspecific-Predefined-Macros.html#System_002dspecific-Predefined-Macros";>System-specific
>  Predefined Macros</a> in <cite>Using the GNU Compiler
>     Collection</cite>).  This allows you to provide code specially tuned for a
>     particular machine.
> 
> but that link is broken.  The OP suggests this link
> 
> https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-4.8.5/cpp/System-specific-Predefined-Macros.html
> 
> may be correct.
> 
> Where do those directory names come from?  Is there a table in makeinfo
> that needs to be updated?


It comes from the htmlxref.cnf file.  (It may be installed under
/usr/share/texinfo/.) The link produced above matches the
current entry for the "gcc" manual in that file.

Changing that file would change the link, e.g.

--- a/util/htmlxref.cnf
+++ b/util/htmlxref.cnf
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ gcal                mono    ${GS}/gcal/manual/gcal.html
 gcal           node    ${GS}/gcal/manual/html_node/
 
 GCC = https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs
-gcc            node    ${GCC}/gcc/
+gcc            node    ${GCC}/gcc-4.8.5/
  cpp           node    ${GCC}/cpp/
  gfortran      node    ${GCC}/gfortran/
  gnat_rm       node    ${GCC}/gnat_rm/


However, it's wrong to make it link to a specific version.

The gcc developers need to provide a stable, version-independent link
for the manual.  This link would have worked in the past, but I don't
know how recently it broke.

I'm attempting to CC the gcc mailing list stated on their documentation page
to see if anyone there can give any information.