[Libmesh-devel] Still Really Dislike Automake

[Derek G. <fri...@gm...>]

After all of these years: I still dislike the Automake build system in
libMesh.  I still can't believe that we threw out a perfectly decent build
system and saddled ourselves with this thing.

In hindsight: do you guys TRULY think it was worth it?

I still maintain a set of scripts that allow me to do in-tree builds.  In
addition - I often prototype things in MOOSE / a new MOOSE application
before moving it down to libMesh (if I ever do - I am also just
increasingly NOT moving stuff to libMesh!).  All of this because of the
build system.

All I'm trying to do right now is add ONE damn header file - and I can't
seem to find the magic script / sauce to get everything updated.  I
ran include/rebuild_include_HEADERS.sh ... nope.  I ran bootstrap... still
nope.  Oh!  Now I remember... I need to run
include/libmesh/rebuild_makefile.sh... NOPE!

Ok - 100% serious here.  If I redo the libMesh build system so that it's
autoconf and make based again - would you guys consider switching to it?  I
am willing to even code up a "make install" (which I believe was the
original reason for wanting to use Automake).

Derek

PS - if anyone could tell me what I need to do to get the symlink built in
include/libmesh for a new header file I would greatly appreciate it!