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(automake.info)Depth

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Depth
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   `automake' supports three kinds of directory hierarchy: `flat',
`shallow', and `deep'.

   A "flat" package is one in which all the files are in a single
directory.  The `Makefile.am' for such a package by definition lacks a
`SUBDIRS' macro.  An example of such a package is `termutils'.

   A "deep" package is one in which all the source lies in
subdirectories; the top level directory contains mainly configuration
information.  GNU `cpio' is a good example of such a package, as is GNU
`tar'.  The top level `Makefile.am' for a deep package will contain a
`SUBDIRS' macro, but no other macros to define objects which are built.

   A "shallow" package is one in which the primary source resides in
the top-level directory, while various parts (typically libraries)
reside in subdirectories.  Automake is one such package (as is GNU
`make', which does not currently use `automake').