Re: [PATCH] parallel-tests: fix another BSD parallel make issue

[Stefano Lattarini]

On 02/18/2012 02:09 PM, Stefano Lattarini wrote:
> [CC:ing bug-autoconf for Yet Another BSD make Bug, in case someone
>  cares to documenting it ...]
> 
> When BSD make is run in parallel mode, it apparently strips any leading
> directory component from the automatic variable '$*' (of course, against
> what POSIX mandates).  This is causing FreeBSD 9.0 make and NetBSD 5.1
> make to spuriously fail with automake-generated test harnesses if subdir
> tests are present *and* make is being run in parallel mode.  This issue
> affects also the Automake own testsuite.
> 
> The attached patch should work around the problem.
> 
> I will test this patch more properly in the next few days, and apply it
> if it causes no regression.  I'm posting it here in case anyone can spare
> some time to eyeball it, give early feedback, or even test the patch.
>
Oh, and this fix deserves a NEWS entry.  Here is what I've squashed in:

  diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
  index 252fcf7..c1de9b2 100644
  --- a/NEWS
  +++ b/NEWS
  @@ -154,6 +154,12 @@ Bugs fixed in 1.11a:
     - The AM_COND_IF macro also works if the shell expression for the
       conditional is no longer valid for the condition.

  +  - The automake-provided parallel testsuite harness does not fail anymore
  +    with BSD make used in parallel mode when there are test scripts in a
  +    subdirectory, like in:
  +
  +      TESTS = sub/foo.test sub/bar.test
  +
   * Long-standing bugs:

     - Automake's own build system finally have a real "installcheck" target.

Regards,
  Stefano