Re: No need for object file removal before compilation

[Bob Friesenhahn]

On Thu, 10 Apr 2008, Peter O'Gorman wrote:
> > Removing the object file in advance accomplishes several things:
>
> But, if libtool were not sitting there between make and the compiler,
> the compiler would not remove the object files. Why should libtool do so?

Some compilers unlink the output file while others simply overwrite 
it.  Are you prepared to deal with uncertain results?

Since libtool has been removing the files, someone in the world is 
certainly going to suffer if it stops doing so.  If the build tool 
fails and does not remove its output file, then an old file may be 
used by mistake.

Is there a measurable performance improvement from removing the 
removes?

The DTrace runs I did last night show that in some cases the same file 
is removed three or four times.  A logic cleanup might result in 
attempting to remove it just once.

Bob
======================================
Bob Friesenhahn
address@hidden, http://www.simplesystems.org/users/bfriesen/
GraphicsMagick Maintainer,    http://www.GraphicsMagick.org/