Re: [platform-testers] Please test new pre-release of a2ps

[Bruno Haible]

Reuben Thomas wrote:
> This is because libpaper[1] is required. Two problems here:
> 
> 1. I didn't document it in README. Apologies!

Could you please also add a DEPENDENCIES file, like that found in
GNU gettext or GNU poke? It logically belongs in the INSTALL, not in
the README file, but since the INSTALL file is not in your hands
(Automake enforces that), DEPENDENCIES is a second-best location.

Then in the README file you can write "For installation, look into
the DEPENDENCIES and INSTALL files.". It does not blow up the README
file unproportionately.

> 2. The check in configure[.ac] appears not to be failing when it should.

Yep. If a mandatory dependency is not found, './configure' should fail.

> I run "make distcheck" before each alpha release.

Ah, sorry. I guessed wrong.

> [1] https://github.com/rrthomas/libpaper

It feels odd if a GNU package (a2ps) has a mandatory dependency on a
non-GNU package (libpaper). Have you considered turning libpaper into
a GNU package?

Bruno