Regression tests for applications may need to point to data files that are outside the test/tests directory, but those files may not be copied over during make install, and even if they are, the relative path may not be correct.
Design
If any file that is outside the tree (e.g., test/tests) is a symbolic link, have the install process copy the file rather than creating a symbolic link to it.
Impact
This should have minimal impact. The main downsides are:
If there are large numbers of symbolic links to large files, the space required for an installation could be large.
Perhaps more importantly, the fact that there is another file identical to the copied file would get lost.
Motivation
Regression tests for applications may need to point to data files that are outside the
test/tests
directory, but those files may not be copied over duringmake install
, and even if they are, the relative path may not be correct.Design
If any file that is outside the tree (e.g.,
test/tests
) is a symbolic link, have the install process copy the file rather than creating a symbolic link to it.Impact
This should have minimal impact. The main downsides are: