Re: forcing a rule

[Noel Yap]

Boris Kolpackov wrote:

> > > %/.: | $$(dir\ %).
> > >         @echo mkdir $(@)
> > >
> > > Now '%/.' depends on it's subdirectory. In your case it 
> > > would expand to 
> > >
> > > install/common/make/.: | install/common/.
> >
> > Wouldn't this produce an infinite loop?
>
> Why would it? Every time $$(dir\ %). chops off one 
> directory so at some point it will end up being just 
> /. which hopefully exist. 

After reading the documentation for the patch, I understand why it won't go 
into an infinite loop.

> > Have you tried this change with the patch installed?
>
> Yes I did. It prints what you wanted.

I'd need to "sell" the patch to our GNU make maintainers; it would need to pass 
certain criteria before I can even suggest it.

Are there any downsides to using the patch (eg builds take considerably longer, 
...)?

Have you submitted the patch to the GNU make project (via savannah.org I 
believe)?  Has this feature been discussed on this list?

Thanks,
Noel