Re: [PATCH] compare header files before installing

[Raja R Harinath]

Alexandre Oliva <address@hidden> writes:
> On Oct 16, 2000, Akim Demaille <address@hidden> wrote:
> > This patch seems OK to me, but I'd appreciate if Alexandre, Tom, Pavel
> > or Jim could confirm it's OK.
> 
> I have mixed feelings about this.  At first, it may sound nice to not
> touch pre-existing files.  However, think of someone that uses the
> timestamp to decide whether a certain file is part of the newly
> installed package or just some remnant from an old release that can
> now be removed...

One approach would be to use $(INSTALL_HEADER) which defaults to
$(INSTALL_DATA), and allow users to specify a special installer if
they choose.  Of course, it would be nice if 'install' in fileutils
could be extended to provide a --only-if-change option.

Usage would be something like

  make INSTALL_HEADER='install --only-if-change' install 

- Hari
-- 
Raja R Harinath ------------------------------ address@hidden
"When all else fails, read the instructions."      -- Cahn's Axiom
"Our policy is, when in doubt, do the right thing."   -- Roy L Ash