Re: Lack of clarity in description of directory variables

[Reuben Thomas]

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007, Ralf Wildenhues wrote:

> Hmm, which documentation are you looking at?  Let's see:
> Automake 1.9.x never knew about datarootdir, and 1.10 doesn't have the
> above wording at all.  Some Autoconf versions may have had it, but the
> current (2.61) one is different.  I guess you're looking at the GNU
> Coding Standards (GCS), it has similar wording.

Yes, you're right. I must have followed a link and not realised I was no 
longer in Kansas. I think it was this link:

"The standard directory names are given in the GNU standards (*note 
Directory Variables: (standards)Directory Variables.)."

> <http://www.gnu.org/prep/standards/html_node/Directory-Variables.html>

That's the one.

> > What puzzles me is the phrases "but write it as...": why in each case
> > do you have to write the variable by using some other variable?
>
> Well.  The GCS cannot assume that you use either Autoconf nor Automake.
> The Autoconf manual cannot assume that you use Automake.  Only the
> Automake manual can freely assume that you use Autoconf and that there
> is a good chance that you aim to follow the GCS.

I think I understand what's going on now.

> You should keep in mind that the GCS is written as a set of requirements
> imposed on the developer,

This is the important bit. Re-reading with that in mind it's quite clear.

I'm not sure how to remove the problem I had...and since it was minor, may 
as well leave it.

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