Back on this bug from 2012, https://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=10852
ak> Also, why two "if"? sl> For the sake of "make -n": * doc/automake.texi (Multiple Outputs): Split commands than reinvoke $(MAKE) to avoid file removals during dry runs. I pushed Akim's patch. Regarding the bigger issue mentioned in the middle: > It basically boils down to whether the maintainer-src-tree should > look like a fresh check-out, or a fresh tarball. I think it should > look like a tarball. Personally I agree, but unless I'm misunderstanding, GNU packages have moved quite in the other direction, aggressively minimizing the source tree to be as much like a checkout as possible. E.g., there is no ChangeLog file in Automake or most other git-based GNU packages. I certainly have no appetite for attempting to change this, and it would fly in the face of the established "git practice" of the last N years, so I doubt such a policy would be warmly welcomed. So I'm closing this bug. If I'm missing the point, can discuss further, of course. --best, karl.