Re: Better error message for aclocal.m4 mismatch

[Alexandre Duret-Lutz]

>>> "RW" == Ralf Wildenhues <address@hidden> writes:

 RW> I'm pretty sure users will be confused about this error message --
 RW> I even was.  I think the one below would be a bit better.

 RW> One open issue with this is that the multiline warning isn't nicely
 RW> prefixed with everywhere:
 >> aclocal.m4:17: error: this file was generated for autoconf 2.60.
 >> To regenerate, remove `aclocal.m4' and rerun `aclocal';
 >> make sure the `autom4te' from the right Autoconf package is found.
 >> aclocal.m4:17: the top level

I agree the message could be improved.  

aclocal always erase the file if the Autoconf version changed,
you need not erase it by hand.

I'm wary of suggesting to run `aclocal' as some people will feel
compelled to run it as-is, without the necessary -I, and then
send us hate mails.  ISTR you complained against gettextize for
something similar some days ago.  Personally I'd love to be able
to suggest autoreconf, but its use is unfortunately not universal.


How about something like this:

aclocal.m4:17: error: this file was generated for autoconf 2.60.
You have another version of autoconf.  If you want to use that, you
should regenerate the build system entirely.
aclocal.m4:17: the top level

and we let the user choose its preferred course for regen?
Or was there another source of confusion you were trying to address?


Anyway, this is just a suggestion. Feel free to install whatever
wording you prefer.
-- 
Alexandre Duret-Lutz

Shared books are happy books.     http://www.bookcrossing.com/friend/gadl