Automake: problems with a project with source files distributed in a directory tree

pietrom · 04-14-2006, 05:40 AM

This is the first time I try to make a project with the Autotools... and I have a problem.
Everything is all right when the source files are all in the same directory.
But if I want to distribute the files in different subdirectories, I have some errors from make.

This is what I do:

aclocal
autoconf
automake --add-missing
./configure
make
entrypoint.o: In function `main':
testprj/entrypoint.cpp:14: undefined reference to `C1::Print()'

I.e. it cannot find the class declaration in the file placed in a subdirectory.

The includes are correct.
The subdirectories are passed to configure.
I put a Makefile.am in every subdirectory.
What else is missing?

I'm afraid I cannot attach any file to this message.

Can anybody give me a hint?
Do you know where I can find documentation that explains how to make a project with source files distributed in a directory tree?

If you want I can send you the (very small) test project where I have this problem.

Thank you a lot for any help,

Pietro
pietromele@yahoo.com

2006.04.14

Hko · 04-14-2006, 05:56 AM

Say, your source directory looks like this:

Code:

sourcedir/
  incl/
    Makefile.am
    yourheader.h
  src/
    Makefile.am
    main.c
  Makefile.am

And "main.c" file includes "yourheader.h" this way:

Code:

#include "yourheader.h"

To ensure the compiler (more precisely: the preprocessor) can find "yourheader.h" you should do this in "sourcedir/src/Makefile.am":

Code:

AM_CFLAGS = -Wall -I${top_srcdir}/incl

Hope this helps.
If not, please mail me your small test project and I'll have a look at it.

Hko · 04-14-2006, 06:04 AM

BTW someone posted this useful link recently on this forum:
http://sourceware.org/autobook/download.html

(free book on the autotools)

pietrom · 04-14-2006, 06:48 AM

I'll try your suggestion this evening.
Actually I indicated the path explicitely in the include files:

Code:

    #include "../incl/myheader.h"

Isn't it enough?

Will the linker be able to find the object files in the different subdirectories?

Thank you,
Pietro

Hko · 04-14-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietrom

I'll try your suggestion this evening.
Actually I indicated the path explicitely in the include files:

Code:

    #include "../incl/myheader.h"

Isn't it enough?

Yes, that should work also. I'm afraid I didn't understand your question correctly...
Sorry.