Re: [Automake-NG] Can we require GNU make >= 3.81? (make memoization doesn't work with GNU make 3.80)

[Bob Friesenhahn]

On Sun, 20 May 2012, Jim Meyering wrote:
> > Note that sadly we can't require GNU make >= 3.82 (which would offer use
> > the .ONESHELL feature) because Debian and Ubuntu still comes with GNU make
> > 3.81 as the only version available through the package manager :-(
>
> For an "NG" tool in its infancy (i.e., little-or-no user base),
> requiring the nearly-2-year-old make-3.82 should not be a problem.
> However, I admit to being surprised that even debian *unstable* is
> still using 3.81.  You have to go to experimental to get 3.82.
> So, yes, that means it is a problem.

The logic used by Debian/Ubuntu for when to update package versions 
totally escapes me.  Users of my own software suffer as a result.

If Automake-NG is going to require a particular 'make' tool then it 
should require the version which allows it to be all it can be.  It 
should be a demonstration of what is possible.  To me, this means that 
even the most recent version could be a viable requirement.  Like the 
film "Field Of Dreams", build it and they will come.

In a couple of years when Automake-NG begins to penetrate the 
"market", it seems likely that even Debian will finally have updated 
its build tools.

I have always been a proponent of developing a GNU build framework 
which is installed in advance of the packages using it.  GNU make is 
still lacking as a build tool, but GNU make 3.82 is already available 
for several years already and it is easy to install.

Bob
--
Bob Friesenhahn
address@hidden, http://www.simplesystems.org/users/bfriesen/
GraphicsMagick Maintainer,    http://www.GraphicsMagick.org/