Re: [Gnu-arch-users] Re: Fatal bug in tla?

[Andreas Fuchs]

Today, Tom Lord <address@hidden> wrote:
>> From: Andreas Fuchs <address@hidden>
>> I tried to write the config-time checking that Tom suggested, but
>> it ended in creepy things (like echo `eval $FOO` - ugh). I believe
>> that it's not easy without rewriting bigger parts of
>> package-framework, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. (-:
>
> <Cough>   I doubt there's much or anything in package-framework that
> needs _rewriting_ for this -- just a new test.

Oh, ok. I am not too familiar with package-framework's source or
design; just dived in and tried to add the feature the way I wanted
it. Probably that was not the best conceivable plan. (-:

> If we can come up with a very portable shell script that determines
> if a recent gnu diff is what you get for some $DIFF -- I can take it
> from there.

As Andrew suggested, I wrote a script that looks through some names
for GNU diff programs (3 at the moment), and tests if any can be
invoked with the cmdline options that the stuff in libarch uses. It
also checks if the diff program has the "\ No newline" bug.

As to very portable: I tested it on SunOS 5.9, FreeBSD 5.2 and 4.9
/bin/sh as well as bash. Dunno if that counts. Best would be if tla
users try it and tell me if it finds the right diff program (-:

Anyway, the URL is http://boinkor.net/arch/diff-detect.sh

Comments/flames/suggestions on shell coding style, portability etc.
welcome.

Bye,
-- 
Andreas Fuchs, <address@hidden>, address@hidden, antifuchs