Calling autoconf in a spec.

[Ralf Corsepius]

On 07/04/2011 01:18 PM, Sam Varshavchik wrote:

> Both gcc and binutils are extensively regression-tested. Stuff that was
> compiled years ago, still works.
To some extend, yes,

Nevertheless we all are permanently fixing gcc/binutils-compatibilities, 
aren't we?

> The same cannot be said of autotools.
Well, check the sources - autoconf+automake have similar testsuites.

It's the same problem as with binutils/gcc: languages change, standards 
change, incompatibilities are being introduced deliberately, bugs find 
their ways in, old features get abandoned/new ones introduced etc.

The real difference between the autotools and gcc is: Many people are 
permanently modernizing their c/c++-code, but are expecting modern 
autotools to support the bugs/non-documented features the autotools did 
10-15 years ago.

Ralf