Re: directory changes HELP...

[Paul D. Smith]

Unfortunately you're really starting at the bottom of the totem if you
ask for help on these issues here.

Make is the most basic tool used by automake, etc. and doesn't know
anything about them, really: they are used to build legal makefiles,
then make is used to execute them.

You really want to be asking on an autoconf or automake mailing list,
and/or reading the docs, examining existing tools, etc.

However, I'll try to help a bit.

> I just got put on a Linux project (and I'm not too familiar with
> Linux) where I am updating a program package.  I have all the software
> changes in place, but now I want to change how the command "make
> install" works.  Currently when I run "configure", its default prefix
> directory is /usr/local.  I want to change this. how?

> To get things to work correctly for me, I am running configure with
> several flags like the following: --prefix=NewPath, --libbdir=NewPath.

You answer your first question with your second paragraph: you change it
by adding arguments to the configure invocation.

I guess I'm not really sure what your situation is... are you taking
ownership of a package and trying to modify where it installs, then
distribute it that way?  Why?  All GNU/autoconf-packaged software
installs the same place by default, and people expect and rely on this
behavior.  Consistency, in some cases, is much more important.

Or, do you have some packages you're trying to install locally and you
just want to change the default behavior so you don't have to remember
to add arguments to configure all the time?

In that case, you might check the autoconf documentation for how to set
up site configuration files.

-- 
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 Paul D. Smith <address@hidden>          Find some GNU make tips at:
 http://www.gnu.org                      http://www.paulandlesley.org/gmake/
 "Please remain calm...I may be mad, but I am a professional." --Mad Scientist