Re: [wdiff-bugs] wdiff 0.5.91 pre-test released

[Jim Meyering]

"Denver Gingerich" <address@hidden> wrote:
> If you're wondering why I've decided to do things this way, try
> building GNU m4 from CVS.  After that experience, I think you'll
> understand :).

Hi Denver,

First, thanks for taking on the mantle of wdiff maintenance!

Regarding m4, did you follow the instructions in the file, HACKING?
Have you reported the problems?  I've found the maintainers to be
quite responsive.

Regardless, realize that m4 has unusual requirements, by its
nature (being "beneath" autoconf in the built-tool hierarchy).
For example, it requires:
  - unreleased automake
  - a new-enough version of GNU m4
  - recent libtool and autoconf
  - and all have to be built to share the same $prefix

For a tool that does not require quite so much cutting-edge
infrastructure, but that nonetheless version-controls *no*
generated file, look at coreutils.  You can get it like this:

  git clone git://git.sv.gnu.org/coreutils

Then, follow the instructions in README-hacking to build.
wdiff should be able to get by with nearly identical instructions.

Jim