Re: [bug-gawk] gawk 4.1 rpm packaging

[Aharon Robbins]

Hi All.

Here are my two cents:

> Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 15:28:31 -0400
> From: "Andrew J. Schorr" <address@hidden>
> To: Vojtech Vitek <address@hidden>
> Cc: address@hidden
> Subject: [bug-gawk] gawk 4.1 rpm packaging
>
> Hi,
>
> I just downloaded the Fedora rawhide gawk-4.1.0-2.fc20.src.rpm package,
> and I have two questions about this:
>
> 1. It installs the libtool *.la files in /usr/lib64/gawk in addition to the
> *.so files.  Is there any reason to install the *.la files?  This simple
> change to the spec file will eliminate the *.la files:
>
> < %{_libdir}/gawk/*
> ---
> > %{_libdir}/gawk/*.so

I agree that this is worth doing.

> 2. I see that /usr/include/gawkapi.h is included in the gawk rpm.  I'm not
> sure of the packaging guidelines, but this file is not required for normal
> gawk usage.  It is needed only when building extension libraries.  Should
> there be a separate gawk-devel rpm to contain gawkapi.h?  Perhaps it is not
> worth it for a single file.

Since it is only one file, and since there are no gawk libraries that
external programs would link with, I don't think having a separate
gawk-devel rpm (resp. package for Debian) is necessary, or a good idea.

By including gawkapi.h with gawk users who want to write extensions
can get straight to it without hassle.  This also keeps things in line
with the documentation, which doesn't take package managers into account. :-)

> Regards,
> Andy

Much thanks,

Arnold