diff --git a/doc/automake.texi b/doc/automake.texi index 265a3f8..a8c2068 100644 --- a/doc/automake.texi +++ b/doc/automake.texi @@ -6837,6 +6837,32 @@ Here is how Automake declares its auxiliary data files: dist_pkgdata_DATA = clean-kr.am clean.am @dots{} @end example +If you have a project with lots of data files that sometimes change +their names (for example computer games under developement) and you are +thinking about telling Automake to install whole directory with its +contents like + address@hidden +dist_pkgdata_DATA = my_datadir address@hidden example + +then be warned that it's not possible to do this. You have to specify all filenames +of files you want to install or distribute. @xref{wildcards, ,Why doesn't Automake support wildcards?} +for reasoning. + +Just remember you can use @code{nobase_} prefix (see @ref{Alternative, , An Alternative +Approach to Subdirectories}), which is useful if your data +files are organized in subdirectories. If you use it, you can just provide full +filenames and subdirectories will be created during installation. + +They won't be removed in the uninstall process even if they are empty, though. +The files will be removed after uninstall (this is due to GNU coding standards). + +You may have temptation to help yourself with writing shell scripts as @code{install-data-local} +(see @ref{Extending, , Extending Automake Rules} if you need to inspire yourself) +to bypass the neccessity of providing all the filenames. Anyway, if you decide to use +your custom procedures, remember to at least run @code{make distcheck}, that may warn +you if you forget something. @node Sources @section Built sources