Makefile.am create empty directory

Question

Using autotools, I need to create an empty directory tree when typing make install, like:

/etc/myprg/
|-- foo

right now, I do this by specifying empty targets, like this:

myprgdir = $(sysconfdir)/myprg/
myprgfoodir = $(sysconfdir)/myprg/foo

and then

dist_myprg_DATA = 
dist_myprgfoo_DATA =

But, I wonder if a better way to do something like this exists!

Is there some reason why your method (an empty target) is bad? — Siler, Nov 11 '14 at 00:43
`make install` doesn't make the directory if the `_DATA` list is empty. — John Kugelman, May 03 '19 at 12:22

score 11 · Accepted Answer · edited May 03 '19 at 12:25

11

Perhaps like this:

install-data-local:
    $(MKDIR_P) $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)/myprg/foo

uninstall-local:
    rmdir $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)/myprg/foo 2>/dev/null || :

You have to specify AC_PROG_MKDIR_P in configure.ac as well.

edited May 03 '19 at 12:25

John Kugelman

answered Dec 16 '11 at 08:28

ptomato

1 Answers1