Hello,
a good compromise. Alternately, an optional install-without-docs target might suit as well.
I vote for a --with-docs and without docs by default.
In my opinion, the default must be to build _without_ docs. Those who like to read the docs will read the README or INSTALL first, where necessary instructions and explanations may be placed.
Yes. Most poeple will use the websites. An alternative would be to give precompiled docs with "exported" or release versions and not build the doc by default. This will save time, avoid possible errors building docs and will assure that the doc is available to the first users of Pike without internet access but who can have a pike source anyway (first users will never use other versions since they will need a Pike binary for that). Also another way to make users read the doc would be to put a message at the end of the install telling "There is a very good doc in ../somewhere which you can read with your favorite HTML browser"
BTW, is this (autodoc generation) process fixed in 7.5? Few times I tried to build it and install (real install - i.e. not for verify target), and it hung somewhere in the middle, in endless loop generating recursive dirs (thus effectively blocking the build process)... :)
Yes this problem is fixed.
/ David