Linux "install" command for wildcard installation

Question

Is there a way to use "install" for installing multiple files at once using a "wildcard" pattern (and still have "install" create the leading directory hierarchy)?

I've tried several different ways:

• install -D -t /dest/path /source/path/*.py
• install -D -t /dest/path/ /source/path/*.py
• install -D /source/path/*.py /dest/path
• install -D /source/path/*.py /dest/path/

Please help... for each trial it takes a lot of time (I am using pbuilder to test my package each time).

Answer 1

Use the following to create the directory hierarchy, before installing:

install -d /dest/path

and then use:

install -D /source/path/*.py /dest/path

to "install" all the files.

Answer 2

Maybe use a simple outer for loop around the install call? So how about

for f in /source/path/*.py; do \
    install -D -t /dest/path $$f; \
done

That said, you can always take the logic out of your Makefile, debian/rules file, ... and test it standalone without having to run pbuilder.

Otherwise of course props for using pbuilder for internal projects!