如何在include_HEADERS上一起使用autotools nobase和nodist前缀

Question

I have some header files in a sub directory, that must be copied to a same-named sub directory in my include directory. I can use the nobase prefix to make that happen (I'm working with heimdal code, fyi):

nobase_include_HEADERS = hcrypto/aes.h \
      hcrypto/bn.h      \
      hcrypto/cmac.h    \
      hcrypto/des.h     \
      hcrypto/dh.h      \
      hcrypto/dsa.h     \
etc...

But some of those header files are generated during the build process (since heimdal must be built before those header files exist), so I need to use the nodist prefix so that the dist doesn't die.

I found an article that said I could use them both together, and even provided a similar example, so I did this:

nobase_nodist_include_HEADERS = hcrypto/aes.h \
      hcrypto/bn.h      \
      hcrypto/cmac.h    \
      hcrypto/des.h     \
      hcrypto/dh.h      \
      hcrypto/dsa.h     \
etc...

I didn't notice any warnings or errors, but those header files DO NOT get copied to my include directory. Am I doing something wrong, or is there a bug in autotools?

Interesting, if I reverse the prefixes, I get this error:

Makefile.am:93: error: 'nodist_nobase_include_HEADERS' is used but 'nobase_includedir' is undefined

The reason for that error is explained here in the automake documentation :

'nobase_' should be specified first when used in conjunction with either 'dist_' or 'nodist_'

I've also defined nodist_include_HEADERS (which is working). Maybe the two definitions are causing some kind of conflict?

I just tried removing the nodist_include_HEADERS and putting all my headers under the nobase_nodist_include_HEADERS line, but now NONE of my headers get installed.

Automake and system info: automake (GNU automake) 1.13.4 openSUSE 13.2 (x86_64)

Answer 1

If the headers were generated by a program, you should mark them with BUILT_SOURCES , this way automake will not be confused to try to install them as dist .

Second, for headers files that are not meant to be installed, it's better to use SOURCES directive, rather than HEADERS . Try this:

nobase_include_SOURCES += hcrypto/aes.h \
    hcrypto/bn.h      \
    hcrypto/cmac.h    \
    hcrypto/des.h     \
    hcrypto/dh.h      \
    hcrypto/dsa.h
BUILT_SOURCES = hcrypto/aes.h \
    hcrypto/bn.h      \
    hcrypto/cmac.h    \
    hcrypto/des.h     \
    hcrypto/dh.h      \
    hcrypto/dsa.h