3.7.1.2. Explanation of Syntax

+3.7.1.2. Explanation of Syntax

+ As mentioned in the previous section, the + LIC_FILES_CHKSUM variable lists all + the important files that contain the license text for the + source code. + It is possible to specify a checksum for an entire file, + or a specific section of a file (specified by beginning and + ending line numbers with the "beginline" and "endline" + parameters, respectively). + The latter is useful for source files with a license + notice header, README documents, and so forth. + If you do not use the "beginline" parameter, then it is + assumed that the text begins on the first line of the file. + Similarly, if you do not use the "endline" parameter, + it is assumed that the license text ends with the last + line of the file. +

+ The "md5" parameter stores the md5 checksum of the license + text. + If the license text changes in any way as compared to + this parameter then a mismatch occurs. + This mismatch triggers a build failure and notifies + the developer. + Notification allows the developer to review and address + the license text changes. + Also note that if a mismatch occurs during the build, + the correct md5 checksum is placed in the build log and + can be easily copied to the recipe. +

+ There is no limit to how many files you can specify using + the LIC_FILES_CHKSUM variable. + Generally, however, every project requires a few + specifications for license tracking. + Many projects have a "COPYING" file that stores the + license information for all the source code files. + This practice allows you to just track the "COPYING" + file as long as it is kept up to date. +

Tips

+ If you specify an empty or invalid "md5" + parameter, BitBake returns an md5 mis-match + error and displays the correct "md5" parameter + value during the build. + The correct parameter is also captured in + the build log. +
+ If the whole file contains only license text, + you do not need to use the "beginline" and + "endline" parameters. +