Re: bug#9773: "make install-info" with DESTDIR writes unwanted usr/share/info/dir.gz

[Ralf Corsépius]

On 10/23/2011 01:26 PM, Stefano Lattarini wrote:
> On Sunday 23 October 2011, Jonathan Nieder wrote:
> > Stefano Lattarini wrote:
> > > On Monday 17 October 2011, Jonathan Nieder wrote:
> >
> > > > +++ b/ChangeLog
> > > > @@ -1,3 +1,16 @@
> > > > +2011-10-17  Jonathan Nieder<address@hidden>
> > > > +
> > > > +       For Debian Bug#543992:
> > > > +       * lib/am/texinfos.am (install-info-am): When deciding whether to
> > > > +       add to an info/dir file, instead of checking for Debian
> > > > +       install-info, check if DESTDIR is nonempty.
> > [...]
> > > I must say that I don't like this very much.  A better fix IMHO would
> > > be to have an environment variable to inhibit the creation/updating of
> > > the `${infodir}/dir' file
> >
> > Yes, that sounds sensible.  It would be better than checking for
> > Debian install-info (because that was insane) and better than the
> > current state (because it gives packagers on all distros an easy way
> > to request inhibiting creation of the ${infodir}/dir file).
> >
> > Keying behavior on $(DESTDIR) left an unpleasant taste in my mouth,
> > too.  Thanks for your thoughtfulness.
> Glad we agree :-)

OK, your are forcing me to pronounce my disagreement.

Making package building sensitive to environment variables contradicts 
the working principles of autoconf: Building packages is supposed to 
examinine the system and to decide upon what to do.

> Here is my proposed patch (for maint).  I will push in 72 hours if there
> is no objection or review by then.

Then: Veto.

Ralf