Finding asset files, when developing & when installed (C++/Python, primarily on Linux) -

Finding asset files, when developing & when installed (C++/Python, primarily on Linux) -

my project has global asset directory (/usr/share/openage) contains various files (graphics, texts, ...) , user-specific asset directory (~/.openage) allows user overwrite of global assets/add own.

it understanding when building, pass install prefix build scheme (e.g. ./configure --install-prefix=/usr), in turn generate file (e.g. configure.h) makes install prefix available code (e.g. #define install_prefix="/usr"). code assets in install_prefix "share/openage". far, good.

however, when project hasn't been installed yet (which true in 99.9% of cases me developer), directory /usr/share/openage doesn't exist yet; instead, want utilize ./assets in current directory. worse, if installed directory exists (e.g. independent, before install), might info incompatible current dev version.

similarily, if running installed project, i'd want utilize user's home directory (~/.openage) user asset directory, while in "devmode", should utilize directory "./userassets".

it gets worse when thinking non-posix platforms. on windows, install_prefix useless since programs can installed anywhere (do programs utilize current working directory or asset directory?), , don't have slightest thought how mac handles this.

so question is: there accepted "best way this"? surely, hundreds of projects (basically every single project has asset directory) have dealt problem 1 way or on other.

unfortunately, don't know google for. don't know how tag question. current ideas (and associated issues) include:

looking file openage_version, exists in source directory, in cwd. if exists, assume project uninstalled. issue: in "development mode", cwd might not project root directory. checking whether readlink("/proc/self/exe") starts install_prefix issue: platform-specific issue: theoretically, project root directory in /usr/myweirdhomedirectory/git/openage forcing developers specify argument --not-installed, or set environment variable, openage_installed=0 issue: inconvenient issue: forgetting specify argument lead confusion when wrong asset directory used during development, phone call ./configure different install_prefix issue: when project built installing, recommended make test run tests while project not installed a combination of first 2 options: checking dirname(readlink("proc/self/exe")) + "/openage_version" issue: more platform-specific this seems robust alternative far

the solution chose decision in python part of application.

there python module, buildsystem.setup, not installed during make install.

using fact, can simply

def is_in_devmode(): try: import ..buildsystem.setup homecoming true except importerror: homecoming false

python c++ installation assets search-path