Best way to add generated files to distribution?

Question

I have a quite complex (C++) project using autoconf / automake, which includes some "generated" files (foo.yy -> foo.cc). Actual builds are done using a "control script" (Gentoo .ebuild for those familiar with the concept), on various platforms.

Now, one of the target platforms does not properly support the foo.yy -> foo.cc step, and has to use the foo.cc file generated on a Linux box.

Now I have two ways to go about this:

1) Check in foo.cc into the project repository and somehow patch configure.in (or whatever) to include a timestamp check on foo.yy / foo.cc, generating a comprehensible error message if run on the target in question with an outdated foo.cc;

2) Check in foo.cc into the control script repository, and have the script control time stamps and give the error message.

I could do 2) no problem, but I don't think it's the right place to put foo.cc.

On the other hand, I don't know much about autoconf / automake, and wouldn't know how to implement a timestamp check / error message in configure.in (or whereever).

What are your suggestions, and would anyone here know how to go about solution 1)?

Edit: Solved using solution 3), tweaking the problematic target box until it is able to do the foo.yy -> foo.cc step itself. My problem is solved.

But I'll leave the question open - how to do timestamp checks / comprehensible error messages with autoconf / automake?

Answer 1

Here is a similar SO question, but not a dupe. Might help!