$(dir $@) does not work correctly with directory names that have spaces. (Cygwin build 3.79.1)

[Richard J Foster]

Hi there,

Just wanted to drop you  a quick note about a "problem" I have encountered 
while replacing a commercial build system 
during a cost-reduction excercise.

The problem occurs when using directory names with spaces in them - for example:

        /source/Some Library/Test Harness

I needed a rule that passed the desired output directory to a very picky tool. 
I thought it would be possible to do so by 
using $(dir $@) - i.e. taking the directory part of output target. 
Unfortunately, that fails! I also tried using $(dir "$@") with 
the same result. For the sample directory listed above the output is:

        /source/ Library/ ./

I am using the Cygwin build of make. The information reported using the 
--version option is as follows:

    d:\source\tops_win95\test harness>make --version
    GNU Make version 3.79.1, by Richard Stallman and Roland McGrath.
    Built for i686-pc-cygwin
    Copyright (C) 1988, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000
            Free Software Foundation, Inc.
    This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.
    There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
    PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
    
    Report bugs to <address@hidden>.

If you have any additional questions or comments about this issue, please let 
me know.

Regards,
Richard