%% "Dill, John" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: dj> What is the intent of writing a 'define' function?
The only real difference between define and = is that a value created by define can have embedded newline characters, while a value created by = cannot. dj> I have the Mecklenburg book and it appears that you use 'define' dj> for writing a shell script which can be called as a makefile dj> function, That's one use, but not the only one (especially in GNU make 3.80, where the $(eval ...) function is often used with define variables). dj> whereas using '=' appears to use more makefile specific dj> functionality. Can someone explain what they use 'define' for dj> writing functions vs using '='? As I said, the only reason to use define is if you want embedded newlines. dj> What is the impact of whitespace when using 'define' vs '='? Any dj> whitespace in '=' gets carried to the output, Not always true, but I know what you mean. dj> which has been one of my pet peeves, which ends up making my dj> makefile functions difficult to read due to $(...)$(...)$(...) all dj> being bunched up rather than on separate lines. How is whitespace dj> expanded when doing $(call) with a function defined from 'define'? There is no difference whatsoever here. dj> I want some of my functions to have a zero whitespace footprint dj> since I use them as tab-commands. I don't follow this: why does using something as a "tab-command" (I assume you mean in a command script?) require zero whitespace footprint? dj> Does that mean I have to $(strip) every single one of my dj> functions? You need to use $(strip ...) where you want to remove extra whitespace, yes. I typically use $(strip ...) in the command script itself rather than in the functions but YMMV. dj> If I use 'define' instead, does that gain me anything? No. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul D. Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Find some GNU make tips at: http://www.gnu.org http://make.paulandlesley.org "Please remain calm...I may be mad, but I am a professional." --Mad Scientist _______________________________________________ Help-make mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/help-make
