Gnu Make Safe rm File

safe-unlink-file.mk

# # #
# Manage alternate files by linking different versions to the canonical file name.
# # #

define safe-unlink-file
	@# File is not a link, so back-up
	@#$(or $(shell test -L $1 && echo 'TRUE'), $(call backup-file,$1))
	@# File does not exist, or try to remove
	@#$(if $(shell (test -L $1 || test -e $1) && echo 'TRUE'), $(shell rm -f $1))
endef

define backup-file
	@# Abort if back-up location already exists
	@#$(and $(shell test -f $1.tmp && echo 'ERROR'), \
		$(error Can not back-up $1, aborting))
	@# Back-up, unless the file does not exist
	@#$(or $(shell test ! -e $1 && echo 'TRUE'), \
		$(shell mv $1 $1.tmp && echo 'Backed-up to $1.tmp'))
endef