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-rw-r--r--make-stds.texi30
1 files changed, 26 insertions, 4 deletions
diff --git a/make-stds.texi b/make-stds.texi
index 41fb212..c7c71ad 100644
--- a/make-stds.texi
+++ b/make-stds.texi
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ chapter
@end ifclear
@end iftex
describes conventions for writing the Makefiles for GNU programs.
+Using Automake will help you write a Makefile that follows these
+conventions.
@menu
* Makefile Basics:: General Conventions for Makefiles
@@ -257,6 +259,18 @@ $(INSTALL_PROGRAM) foo $(bindir)/foo
$(INSTALL_DATA) libfoo.a $(libdir)/libfoo.a
@end example
+Optionally, you may prepend the value of @code{DESTDIR} to the target
+filename. Doing this allows the installer to create a snapshot of the
+installation to be copied onto the real target filesystem later. Do not
+set the value of @code{DESTDIR} in your Makefile, and do not include it
+in any installed files. With support for @code{DESTDIR}, the above
+examples become:
+
+@example
+$(INSTALL_PROGRAM) foo $(DESTDIR)$(bindir)/foo
+$(INSTALL_DATA) libfoo.a $(DESTDIR)$(libdir)/libfoo.a
+@end example
+
@noindent
Always use a file name, not a directory name, as the second argument of
the installation commands. Use a separate command for each file to be
@@ -283,6 +297,10 @@ When building the complete GNU system, the prefix will be empty and
@file{/usr} will be a symbolic link to @file{/}.
(If you are using Autoconf, write it as @samp{@@prefix@@}.)
+Running @samp{make install} with a different value of @code{prefix}
+from the one used to build the program should @var{not} recompile
+the program.
+
@item exec_prefix
A prefix used in constructing the default values of some of the
variables listed below. The default value of @code{exec_prefix} should
@@ -292,6 +310,10 @@ be @code{$(prefix)}.
Generally, @code{$(exec_prefix)} is used for directories that contain
machine-specific files (such as executables and subroutine libraries),
while @code{$(prefix)} is used directly for other directories.
+
+Running @samp{make install} with a different value of @code{exec_prefix}
+from the one used to build the program should @var{not} recompile the
+program.
@end table
Executable programs are installed in one of the following directories.
@@ -568,12 +590,12 @@ Here is a sample rule to install an Info file:
@comment This example has been carefully formatted for the Make manual.
@comment Please do not reformat it without talking to roland@gnu.ai.mit.edu.
@smallexample
-$(infodir)/foo.info: foo.info
+$(DESTDIR)$(infodir)/foo.info: foo.info
$(POST_INSTALL)
# There may be a newer info file in . than in srcdir.
-if test -f foo.info; then d=.; \
else d=$(srcdir); fi; \
- $(INSTALL_DATA) $$d/foo.info $@@; \
+ $(INSTALL_DATA) $$d/foo.info $(DESTDIR)$@@; \
# Run install-info only if it exists.
# Use `if' instead of just prepending `-' to the
# line so we notice real errors from install-info.
@@ -581,8 +603,8 @@ $(infodir)/foo.info: foo.info
# fail gracefully when there is an unknown command.
if $(SHELL) -c 'install-info --version' \
>/dev/null 2>&1; then \
- install-info --dir-file=$(infodir)/dir \
- $(infodir)/foo.info; \
+ install-info --dir-file=$(DESTDIR)$(infodir)/dir \
+ $(DESTDIR)$(infodir)/foo.info; \
else true; fi
@end smallexample