> > > Looks ok - but I do not see why use of $(shell ...) did not work out. > > As I understand it, the $(shell ...) construct doesn't "work" in the case > cited above because make evaluates/expands the $(shell ...) stuff while it > is parsing the makefile and building the command list--i.e. before it has > issued any commands to build anything. What seems to be desired in this > case is a file-existence test which runs "inline" with respect to the > preceding commands. The use of $(shell ...) inside a command > subverts/preempts that natural sequence. I think. :-)
That explains it - thanks! Sam