http://bugzilla.xensource.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=1083

Summary: Misleading error messages due to Makefile.xen.awk requiring gawk Product: Xen Version: unstable Platform: All OS/Version: All Status: NEW Severity: normal Priority: P2 Component: Unspecified AssignedTo: xen-...@lists.xensource.com ReportedBy: paul+xen-...@hink.name

linux-2.6.18-xen.hg/scripts/Makefile.xen.awk requires gawk, it is not executed properly by different flavours of awk (e.g. mawk fails). However, the build process does not immediately fail with an appropriate error message if Makefile.xen.awk cannot be executed successfully but it rather fails later on when it tries to use the wrong version (without a "-xen" suffix) of a file which results in some misleading fatal error.

In my opinion the following things should be done:

- Immediately fail with an appropriate error message if Makefile.xen.awk cannot be executed successfully. - Clearly mention the requirement of gawk in the documentation.

Additionally, one could:

- Change Makefile.xen.awk to be more compatible, i.e. not require gawk any more.

Credits go to Gianluca Guida for his mail to xen-devel: http://lists.xensource.com/archives/html/xen-devel/2007-10/msg00105.html