On Sat, Nov 13, 2021 at 10:09:27AM +0000, Klemens Nanni wrote: > On Sat, Dec 26, 2020 at 05:19:55PM +0100, Klemens Nanni wrote: > > Our make(1) is behind NetBSD's and FreeBSD's make(1) on at least the > > rules of variable substitution. > > > > Our DESCRIPION says > > > > There are seven different types of lines in a makefile: dependency > > lines, > > shell commands, variable assignments, include statements, conditional > > directives, for loops, and comments. Of these, include statements, > > conditional directives and for loops are extensions. > > > > but our VARIABLES merely explains > > > > Variable substitution occurs at two distinct times, depending on where > > the variable is being used. Variables in dependency lines are expanded > > as the line is read. Variables in shell commands are expanded when the > > shell command is executed. > > > > and therefore fails to explain behaviour for the other five line types. > > > > > > http://man.netbsd.org/make.1#VARIABLE%20ASSIGNMENTS (same as FreeBSD in > > this regard) does go into more detail here: > > > > Variable substitution occurs at three distinct times, depending on where > > the variable is being used. > > > > 1. Variables in dependency lines are expanded as the line is > > read. > > > > 2. Variables in shell commands are expanded when the shell > > command is > > executed. > > > > 3. ``.for'' loop index variables are expanded on each loop > > iteration. > > Note that other variables are not expanded inside loops so > > the fol- > > lowing example code: > > > > [...] > > > > > > Diff below sync this list in VARIABLES as is. > > > > After that I'd like to expand it and explain behaviour for other types; > > I've scratched my head on make's behaviour for too long and the manual > > failed to cover this completely. > > > > Feedback? OK? > > I came across this again, so I would really like to fix our manual.
The sparc64 ofwboot libz dependency bug reminded me of our make(1) still missing different cases of variable expansion. > In https://marc.info/?l=openbsd-tech&m=160935207004852&w=2 > on 2020-12-30 espie said: > > I do think we want to write something specific for .for loop variables > > which are actually very special compared to the rest. > > > > I'm not incredibly happy with the way netbsd explains it, not surprisingly. > > which didn't result in any update to our manual. > > I'm still in favour of syncing with NetBSD (first), they're wording and > example explains the missing pieces. > > We can gladly polish things afterwards if someone comes up with > something better. > > OK? No feedback whatsoever. Anyone willing to OK either the previous NetBSD/FreeBSD sync diff or the following minimal one which just mentions missing types? We can always improve from there, but being stuck at an incomplete and thus misleading manual sucks. Index: make.1 =================================================================== RCS file: /cvs/src/usr.bin/make/make.1,v retrieving revision 1.131 diff -u -p -r1.131 make.1 --- make.1 26 Jan 2020 12:40:50 -0000 1.131 +++ make.1 30 Dec 2020 17:36:54 -0000 @@ -600,9 +600,9 @@ If the variable name contains only a sin braces or parentheses are not required. This shorter form is not recommended. .Pp -Variable substitution occurs at two distinct times, depending on where -the variable is being used. -Variables in dependency lines are expanded as the line is read. +Variable substitution occurs at distinct times, depending on the type of line. +Variables in dependency lines, conditinal directives and include statements are +expanded as the line is read. Variables in shell commands are expanded when the shell command is executed. .Pp
