Re: In-tree datafiles

[Ralf Wildenhues]

Hello David,

* David Sveningsson wrote on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 10:24:34PM CEST:
> Hi, my project has some datafiles that is installed into pkgdatadir. I
> would however like to use the in-tree datafiles when I am developing the
> application.
[...]
> What is the normal way to handle such situations? I mean, I can't be the
> first to have this problem.

Typically, this comes up for the testing part of the package (make
check).  In the simplest case, set TESTS_ENVIRONMENT (used for the
programs listed in the TESTS macro).  Otherwise, you can use a wrapper
script (or scriptlet to be sourced) for your uninstalled programs that
sets an environment variable that overrides the compiled-in value of
DATADIR.  This approach has the advantage of not requiring a compile
when installing.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Ralf