Re: [rfc] README, doc/gdb.texinfo: warn against '.../configure/gdb-N.N/gdb/configure'

[Eli Zaretskii <eliz@is.elta.co.il>]

On Wed, 15 Jan 2003, Michael Elizabeth Chastain wrote:

> mec> +In particular, if you run the first @code{configure} from the
> mec> +@file{gdb} subordinate directory of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}}
> mec> +directory, you will omit the configuration of @file{bfd},
> mec> +@file{readline}, and other subordinate directories.
> 
> eli> Here, I suggest to use ``sibling directories'' as the collective term
> eli> for `bfd', `readline' and other subdirectories of gdb-VERSION.
> 
> I don't want to do this.
> 
> Documentation is for humans, not other computer programs.  Humans learn
> by example.  When I write `bfd' and `readline', it's clear what I'm
> talking about.  If I write `sibling directories', then the readers will
> be confused.
> 
> Talking about `siblings of gdb' does not help because the directory name
> `gdb' is already overloaded.  The whole section already talks about
> `gdb-VERSION' and its subdirectories, including `gdb', but people still
> run `configure' in the wrong directory and then come to us for help.
> 
> And I think there is no problem with getting specific about `bfd' and
> `readline' because this section already specifically mentions these
> names as subdirectories of `gdb-VERSION'.

I think I didn't explain myself clearly, because I didn't mean to ask to 
remove the names `bfd' and `readline'.  I was just suggesting to say 
something like this:

   [...] you will omit the configuration of @file{bfd},
   @file{readline}, and other sibling directories of the `gdb'
   subdirectory.

Thanks.