Issue with another downstream over DESTDIR builds

[Brian Inglis]

On 2022-09-30 06:11, Jon Turney wrote:
> On 29/09/2022 20:15, Brian Inglis wrote:
>> Hi folks, [Please Reply All to CC me as ISP blocking Cygwin lists]
>>
>> I previously submitted a patch upstream to add DESTDIR when creating 
>> package symlinks so cygport builds work without patches.
>>
>> Now another downstream is disputing that, requesting the patch be 
>> reverted, saying that symlink targets are contents and should always 
>> be from the non-DESTDIR native source as per GNU "rules" in the autobook.

> A link to this discussion would be useful.

Thanks Jon,

Unfortunately the upstream package does not use a list so it is all DM.

>> We agreed to request other more experienced opinions on this issue 
>> from our support groups and report back.
>>
>> I am asking the perhaps more experienced professional maintainers to 
>> provide their considered opinion on this issue, demonstrated by the 
>> reversion patch below.
>>
>>> The link's target must not include $(DESTDIR), otherwise this ends up
>>> included in the shipped link. Linking the theoretical target gives the
>>> correct result.
>>>
>>> --- a/Makefile.in
>>> +++ b/Makefile.in
>>> @@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
>>>        $(INSTALL_DATA) $(srcdir)/definitions.units 
>>> $(DESTDIR)@UDAT-DGkERpxY6iylqvY/pMPnfPU/3Eu2kcEP@public.gmane.org
>>>        -rm -f $(DESTDIR)@UDAT-kLXayl1e/4yKtURqy47hLg@public.gmane.org
>>>        $(INSTALL_DATA) $(srcdir)/currency.units 
>>> $(DESTDIR)@CDAT-kLXayl1e/4yKtURqy47hLg@public.gmane.org
>>> -    if [ $(DESTDIR)@CDAT@ != $(DESTDIR)@UDAT@ ];then ln -sf 
>>> $(DESTDIR)@CDAT-kLXayl1e/4yKtURqy47hLg@public.gmane.org 
>>> $(DESTDIR)@UDAT-kLXayl1e/4yKtURqy47hLg@public.gmane.org;fi
>>> +    if [ $(DESTDIR)@CDAT@ != $(DESTDIR)@UDAT@ ];then ln -sf 
>>> @CDAT-kLXayl1e/4yKtURqy47hLg@public.gmane.org 
>>> $(DESTDIR)@UDAT-kLXayl1e/4yKtURqy47hLg@public.gmane.org;fi
>>>        $(INSTALL_DATA) $(srcdir)/locale_map.txt 
>>> $(DESTDIR)@UDAT@locale_map.txt
>>>        if test $(HAVE_PYTHON) = yes; then \
>>>          $(INSTALL_PROGRAM) units_cur_inst $(DESTDIR)$(bindir)/`echo 
>>> units_cur|sed '$(transform)'`;fi

> This patch looks correct.
> 
> Think of it this way: --prefix etc. configures the location of the 
> installed files, DESTDIR selects a temporary staging directory that the 
> files are placed into (e.g. before packaging)
> 
> So, targets of symlinks which are absolute paths should not contain 
> DESTDIR.

I think I'll try and see what happens in cygport, report back here or 
for more feedback, and if no issues, okay with upstream.

-- 
Take care. Thanks, Brian Inglis, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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