I am converting a C++ program which uses the autotools build system to use a shared library, introducing the use of libtool. Most of the program functionality is being placed in the shared library, which is loaded by the main program, so that the common code can be accessed by other programs in future.
Throughout the program and library sources the autoheader generated config.h is used with the usual macro:
#if HAVE_CONFIG_H
# include <config.h>
#endif
In configure.ac I use the macro to generate it:
AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])
My question is, do I need to install config.h for others to be able to use my library, and if so, what is the appropriate way to do it, and should it be renamed to avoid conflicts etc?
The most information I have found on this is here:
http://www.openismus.com/documents/linux/building_libraries/building_libraries#installingheaders
But this is hardly an official source.
You will need to install config.h if it affects the interface. In practical terms, if the #define's are required by the header(s), not just the .cc implementation / compilation units.
If config.h is a problem, you can specify another name in the AC_CONFIG_HEADERS macro. e.g., AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([foo_config.h]).
The easiest way to install the header, assuming automake, is with:
nodist_include_HEADERS = foo_config.h
in the top-level Makefile.am. the nodist prefix tells automake that foo_config.h is generated rather than distributed with the package.
If not using automake, install foo_config.h in $includedir. $exec_prefix/include is arguably a more correct location for a generated header, but in practice the former location is fine.
I avoid using config.h, by passing relevant definitions in CPPFLAGS or foo_CPPFLAGS along with AC_SUBST to Makefile.am for source builds, or AC_SUBST to foo.h.in to generate headers at configure-time. A lot of config.h is test-generated noise. It requires more infrastructure, but it's what I prefer. I wouldn't recommend this approach unless you're comfortable with the autotools.