How do I declare an optional target in automake?

Question

In my Makefile.am file I have something like this:

bin_PROGRAMS = foo bar

foo_SOURCES = foo.cpp

bar_SOURCES = bar.cpp

I am interested in having bar only compiled when I do a make bar, not when I do a make all. But I want foo always compiled. How do I do that?

Thanks.

The file you describe looks like a Makefile.am, which is not an autoconf file. Automake is a completely different tool. — William Pursell, Feb 03 '12 at 04:04
It is common to use autoconf without automake, but very rare to use automake without autoconf. I suppose it could be done, but automake is definitely designed to be used with autoconf. — William Pursell, Feb 04 '12 at 05:54

adl · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-05T01:24:50.623

10

If you want do declare a program can be built (i.e. the target must be emitted by Automake), but should not be built by make all or make check, you can simply declare it as EXTRA_PROGRAMS.

bin_PROGRAMS = foo
EXTRA_PROGRAMS = bar
foo_SOURCES = foo.cpp
bar_SOURCES = bar.cpp

edited Feb 05 '12 at 01:24

answered Feb 05 '12 at 01:18

adl

15,627
6
51
65

How do I declare an optional target in automake?

1 Answers1