diff mbox

[1,of,7] infra: consistently use double dollar signs inside inner-xxx-targets

Message ID 62c2548e30bd735f625e.1399822725@argentina
State Superseded
Headers show

Commit Message

Thomas De Schampheleire May 11, 2014, 3:38 p.m. UTC 
The inner-xxx-targets in the buildroot package infrastructures are
evaluated using $(eval) which causes variable references to be a bit
different than in regular make code. As we want most references to be
expanded only at the time of the $(eval) we should not use standard
references $(VAR) but rather use double dollar signs $$(VAR). This includes
function references like $(call), $(subst), etc. The only exception is the
reference to numbered variables, which are paremeters to the inner block:
$(1), $(2), etc.

This patch introduces consistent usage of double-dollar signs throughout the
different inner-xxx-targets blocks.

In some cases, this would potentially cause circular references, in
particular when the value of HOST_FOO_VAR would be obtained from the
corresponding FOO_VAR if HOST_FOO_VAR is not defined. In these cases, an
immediate assignment using := is necessary instead of a deferred assignment.
using =.
When such a circular assignment occurs in a variable defined with '?=',
a special construction is necessary, as make does not have a corresponding
'?:=' assignment. As 'FOO ?= bar' is equivalent to
  ifeq ($(origin FOO),undefined)
    FOO = bar
  endif
we can replace such constructions with
  ifeq ($$(origin FOO),undefined)
    FOO := bar
  endif


Benefits of these changes are:
- behavior of variables is now again as expected. For example, setting
  $(2)_VERSION = virtual in pkg-virtual.mk will effectively work, while
  originally it would cause very odd results.

- The output of 'make printvars' is now much more useful. This target shows
  the value of all variables, and the expression that led to that value.
  However, if the expression was coming from an inner-xxx-targets block, and
  was using single dollar signs, it would show in printvars as
    VAR = value (value)
  while if double dollar signs are used, it would effectively look like
    VAR = value (actual expression)
  as is intended.
  This improvement is for example effective for FOO_DL_VERSION, FOO_RAWNAME,
  FOO_SITE_METHOD and FOO_MAKE.

The correctness of this patch can be verified by comparing 'make printvars'
before and after applying this patch.

Insight-provided-by: Arnout Vandecappelle <arnout@mind.be>
Signed-off-by: Thomas De Schampheleire <thomas.de.schampheleire@gmail.com>

---
 package/pkg-autotools.mk |  26 ++++++++------
 package/pkg-cmake.mk     |  28 ++++++++-------
 package/pkg-generic.mk   |  86 ++++++++++++++++++++++++-----------------------
 package/pkg-luarocks.mk  |  10 ++--
 package/pkg-perl.mk      |  44 ++++++++++++------------
 package/pkg-python.mk    |  30 ++++++++-------
 package/pkg-virtual.mk   |  12 +++--
 7 files changed, 124 insertions(+), 112 deletions(-)

Note: in addition to using 'make printvars' to verify this patch, a 'make
randpackageconfig' was performed successfully.

Comments

Yann E. MORIN May 11, 2014, 8:38 p.m. UTC | #1 
Thomas, All,

On 2014-05-11 17:38 +0200, Thomas De Schampheleire spake thusly:
> The inner-xxx-targets in the buildroot package infrastructures are
> evaluated using $(eval) which causes variable references to be a bit
> different than in regular make code. As we want most references to be
> expanded only at the time of the $(eval) we should not use standard
> references $(VAR) but rather use double dollar signs $$(VAR). This includes
> function references like $(call), $(subst), etc. The only exception is the
> reference to numbered variables, which are paremeters to the inner block:
> $(1), $(2), etc.
> 
> This patch introduces consistent usage of double-dollar signs throughout the
> different inner-xxx-targets blocks.
[--SNIP--]
> diff --git a/package/pkg-autotools.mk b/package/pkg-autotools.mk
> --- a/package/pkg-autotools.mk
> +++ b/package/pkg-autotools.mk

Did you forget that one, or did you leave it out on purpose:

46: AUTOCONF_AC_CHECK_FILE_VAL = ac_cv_file_$(subst -,_,$(subst /,_,$(subst .,_,$(1))))

[--SNIP--]
> @@ -201,7 +204,7 @@ endif
>  #
>  define AUTORECONF_HOOK
>  	@$$(call MESSAGE,"Autoreconfiguring")
> -	$(Q)cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && $(AUTORECONF) $$($$(PKG)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
> +	$(Q)cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && $$(AUTORECONF) $$($$(PKG)_AUTORECONF_OPT)

You left out the $(Q) as-is. Although I agreee it's not very important
and would still work (heck it already work as-is), I think we should
cahnge it, for consistency sake, no?

[--SNIP--]

I see you have not changed anything in pkg-download.mk. Do you thinks
there is nothing worth changing in there?

I'm especialy thinking about these functions:

    {DOWNLOAD,SOURCE_CHECK,SHOW_EXTERNAL_DEPS}_{GIT,BZR,CVS,SVN,SCP,HG,WGET,LOCALFILES}

as well as: DOWNLOAD and DOWNLOAD_INNER

[--SNIP--]
> diff --git a/package/pkg-generic.mk b/package/pkg-generic.mk
> --- a/package/pkg-generic.mk
> +++ b/package/pkg-generic.mk

You've left out the hook functions:
    step_start
    step_end
    step_user

and potentially:
    step_time

> @@ -548,7 +550,7 @@ endif
>  $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC_SOURCE):		SRCDIR=$$($(2)_OVERRIDE_SRCDIR)
>  $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC_SOURCE):		PKG=$(2)
>  $$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			PKG=$(2)
> -$$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			RAWNAME=$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
> +$$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			RAWNAME=$$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
>  $$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			PKGDIR=$(pkgdir)

Why not change the call to pkgdir ?

>  $$($(2)_TARGET_EXTRACT):		PKG=$(2)
>  $$($(2)_TARGET_SOURCE):			PKG=$(2)
> @@ -559,9 +561,9 @@ endif
>  # kernel case, the bootloaders case, and the normal packages case.
>  ifeq ($(1),linux)
>  $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_LINUX_KERNEL
> -else ifneq ($(filter boot/%,$(pkgdir)),)
> +else ifneq ($$(filter boot/%,$(pkgdir)),)

Ditto pkgdir.

>  $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_TARGET_$(2)
> -else ifneq ($(filter toolchain/%,$(pkgdir)),)
> +else ifneq ($$(filter toolchain/%,$(pkgdir)),)

Ditto pkgdir.

[--SNIP--]

No change required in pkg-utils.mk either?

For example, caseconvert-helper is $(eval)-ed.

Also, in none of the xxx-package or host-xxx-package macros, you did
double-$ the calls to pkgname or UPPERACSE. Is that a missing piece, or
is taht on purpose?

Note: all my questions are just to make sure we did not miss anything.
I'm genuinely asking if it is needed or not. This is a complex topic,
and I'm unsure we've covered all the bases here. Maybe I'm just being a
bit over-paranoid... ;-)

And, thank you for looking into this horrid mess that are Makefile
functions! ;-)

Regards,
Yann E. MORIN.
Thomas De Schampheleire May 12, 2014, 11:17 a.m. UTC | #2 
Hi Yann,

First of all: thanks a lot for the review!

On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 10:38 PM, Yann E. MORIN <yann.morin.1998@free.fr> wrote:
> Thomas, All,
>
> On 2014-05-11 17:38 +0200, Thomas De Schampheleire spake thusly:
>> The inner-xxx-targets in the buildroot package infrastructures are
>> evaluated using $(eval) which causes variable references to be a bit
>> different than in regular make code. As we want most references to be
>> expanded only at the time of the $(eval) we should not use standard
>> references $(VAR) but rather use double dollar signs $$(VAR). This includes
>> function references like $(call), $(subst), etc. The only exception is the
>> reference to numbered variables, which are paremeters to the inner block:
>> $(1), $(2), etc.
>>
>> This patch introduces consistent usage of double-dollar signs throughout the
>> different inner-xxx-targets blocks.
> [--SNIP--]
>> diff --git a/package/pkg-autotools.mk b/package/pkg-autotools.mk
>> --- a/package/pkg-autotools.mk
>> +++ b/package/pkg-autotools.mk
>
> Did you forget that one, or did you leave it out on purpose:
>
> 46: AUTOCONF_AC_CHECK_FILE_VAL = ac_cv_file_$(subst -,_,$(subst /,_,$(subst .,_,$(1))))

This is not inside inner-xxx-targets. Moreover, it is used with
$(call), not $(eval) so there is no need for the double dollar signs.

>
> [--SNIP--]
>> @@ -201,7 +204,7 @@ endif
>>  #
>>  define AUTORECONF_HOOK
>>       @$$(call MESSAGE,"Autoreconfiguring")
>> -     $(Q)cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && $(AUTORECONF) $$($$(PKG)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
>> +     $(Q)cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && $$(AUTORECONF) $$($$(PKG)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
>
> You left out the $(Q) as-is. Although I agreee it's not very important
> and would still work (heck it already work as-is), I think we should
> cahnge it, for consistency sake, no?

Yes, I will change it to avoid any confusion about the rules.

>
> [--SNIP--]
>
> I see you have not changed anything in pkg-download.mk. Do you thinks
> there is nothing worth changing in there?
>
> I'm especialy thinking about these functions:
>
>     {DOWNLOAD,SOURCE_CHECK,SHOW_EXTERNAL_DEPS}_{GIT,BZR,CVS,SVN,SCP,HG,WGET,LOCALFILES}
>
> as well as: DOWNLOAD and DOWNLOAD_INNER

These functions are not eval'ed but call'ed. According to me, the
double dollars are not correct there.

Following your comment, I searched for the use of eval throughout
buildroot (filtering out the already known cases of generic, cmake,
autotools etc., and found following addition references:

docs/manual/manual.mk (GENDOC)
fs/*  (ROOTFS_TARGET)
package/pkg-utils.mk (caseconvert-helper)

I will update these blocks too in v2.

>
> [--SNIP--]
>> diff --git a/package/pkg-generic.mk b/package/pkg-generic.mk
>> --- a/package/pkg-generic.mk
>> +++ b/package/pkg-generic.mk
>
> You've left out the hook functions:
>     step_start
>     step_end
>     step_user
>
> and potentially:
>     step_time

These are all called using $(call) from a place that is outside of
inner-xxx-targets.
As far as I understand, double dollar signs are not needed (and will
not work) here.
For example, adding following line in step_start:

@echo Step start $(1) TOPDIR=$(TOPDIR) TOPDIR2=$$(TOPDIR)

will cause TOPDIR2 to be passed to the shell as $(TOPDIR) which gives:

/bin/bash: TOPDIR: command not found
Step start configure TOPDIR=/home/tdescham/repo/contrib/buildroot-misc TOPDIR2=

>
>> @@ -548,7 +550,7 @@ endif
>>  $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC_SOURCE):                SRCDIR=$$($(2)_OVERRIDE_SRCDIR)
>>  $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC_SOURCE):                PKG=$(2)
>>  $$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):                       PKG=$(2)
>> -$$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):                       RAWNAME=$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
>> +$$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):                       RAWNAME=$$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
>>  $$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):                       PKGDIR=$(pkgdir)
>
> Why not change the call to pkgdir ?

Because it does not work for pkgdir nor pkgname. These have to have a
single dollar sign.
I should update the comment in the next patch to reflect this.

>
>>  $$($(2)_TARGET_EXTRACT):             PKG=$(2)
>>  $$($(2)_TARGET_SOURCE):                      PKG=$(2)
>> @@ -559,9 +561,9 @@ endif
>>  # kernel case, the bootloaders case, and the normal packages case.
>>  ifeq ($(1),linux)
>>  $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_LINUX_KERNEL
>> -else ifneq ($(filter boot/%,$(pkgdir)),)
>> +else ifneq ($$(filter boot/%,$(pkgdir)),)
>
> Ditto pkgdir.
>
>>  $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_TARGET_$(2)
>> -else ifneq ($(filter toolchain/%,$(pkgdir)),)
>> +else ifneq ($$(filter toolchain/%,$(pkgdir)),)
>
> Ditto pkgdir.
>
> [--SNIP--]
>
> No change required in pkg-utils.mk either?
>
> For example, caseconvert-helper is $(eval)-ed.

True, I will fix in v2.
The other places in pkg-utils are not eval'ed.

>
> Also, in none of the xxx-package or host-xxx-package macros, you did
> double-$ the calls to pkgname or UPPERACSE. Is that a missing piece, or
> is taht on purpose?

I should indeed add double dollars on the uppercase call, but not on
pkgname as that doesn't work.

>
> Note: all my questions are just to make sure we did not miss anything.
> I'm genuinely asking if it is needed or not. This is a complex topic,
> and I'm unsure we've covered all the bases here. Maybe I'm just being a
> bit over-paranoid... ;-)

Not at all. Your questions are all valid and very useful! This is
exactly what code review is for...

>
> And, thank you for looking into this horrid mess that are Makefile
> functions! ;-)

Once and then never again ;-)

Best regards,
Thomas
diff mbox

Patch

diff --git a/package/pkg-autotools.mk b/package/pkg-autotools.mk
--- a/package/pkg-autotools.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-autotools.mk
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@  define inner-autotools-package
 
 ifndef $(2)_LIBTOOL_PATCH
  ifdef $(3)_LIBTOOL_PATCH
-  $(2)_LIBTOOL_PATCH = $($(3)_LIBTOOL_PATCH)
+  $(2)_LIBTOOL_PATCH = $$($(3)_LIBTOOL_PATCH)
  else
   $(2)_LIBTOOL_PATCH ?= YES
  endif
@@ -73,25 +73,28 @@  endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_MAKE
  ifdef $(3)_MAKE
-  $(2)_MAKE = $($(3)_MAKE)
+  $(2)_MAKE = $$($(3)_MAKE)
  else
-  $(2)_MAKE ?= $(MAKE)
+  $(2)_MAKE ?= $$(MAKE)
  endif
 endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_AUTORECONF
  ifdef $(3)_AUTORECONF
-  $(2)_AUTORECONF = $($(3)_AUTORECONF)
+  $(2)_AUTORECONF = $$($(3)_AUTORECONF)
  else
   $(2)_AUTORECONF ?= NO
  endif
 endif
 
+ifeq ($$(origin $(2)_AUTORECONF_OPT),undefined)
+ $(2)_AUTORECONF_OPT := $$($(3)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
+endif
+
 $(2)_CONF_ENV			?=
 $(2)_CONF_OPT			?=
 $(2)_MAKE_ENV			?=
 $(2)_MAKE_OPT			?=
-$(2)_AUTORECONF_OPT		?= $($(3)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
 $(2)_INSTALL_OPT                ?= install
 $(2)_INSTALL_STAGING_OPT	?= DESTDIR=$$(STAGING_DIR) install
 $(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT		?= DESTDIR=$$(TARGET_DIR)  install
@@ -201,7 +204,7 @@  endif
 #
 define AUTORECONF_HOOK
 	@$$(call MESSAGE,"Autoreconfiguring")
-	$(Q)cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && $(AUTORECONF) $$($$(PKG)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
+	$(Q)cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && $$(AUTORECONF) $$($$(PKG)_AUTORECONF_OPT)
 	$(Q)if test "$$($$(PKG)_LIBTOOL_PATCH)" = "YES"; then \
 		for i in `find $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) -name ltmain.sh`; do \
 			ltmain_version=`sed -n '/^[ 	]*VERSION=/{s/^[ 	]*VERSION=//;p;q;}' $$$$i | \
@@ -220,10 +223,11 @@  endef
 # This must be repeated from inner-generic-package, otherwise we get an empty
 # _DEPENDENCIES if _AUTORECONF is YES.  Also filter the result of _AUTORECONF
 # away from the non-host rule
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES ?= $(filter-out host-automake host-autoconf host-libtool \
+ifeq ($$(origin $(2)_DEPENDENCIES),undefined)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES := $$(filter-out host-automake host-autoconf host-libtool \
 				host-toolchain $(1),\
-    $(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$(addprefix host-,$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
-
+    $$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$$(addprefix host-,$$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+endif
 
 ifeq ($$($(2)_AUTORECONF),YES)
 $(2)_PRE_CONFIGURE_HOOKS += AUTORECONF_HOOK
@@ -263,9 +267,9 @@  endif
 ifndef $(2)_INSTALL_STAGING_CMDS
 define $(2)_INSTALL_STAGING_CMDS
 	$$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_STAGING_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR)
-	for i in $$$$(find $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/lib* -name "*.la"); do \
+	for i in $$$$(find $$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/lib* -name "*.la"); do \
 		cp -f $$$$i $$$$i~; \
-		$$(SED) "s:\(['= ]\)/usr:\\1$(STAGING_DIR)/usr:g" $$$$i; \
+		$$(SED) "s:\(['= ]\)/usr:\\1$$(STAGING_DIR)/usr:g" $$$$i; \
 	done
 endef
 endif
diff --git a/package/pkg-cmake.mk b/package/pkg-cmake.mk
--- a/package/pkg-cmake.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-cmake.mk
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@  define inner-cmake-package
 
 $(2)_CONF_ENV			?=
 $(2)_CONF_OPT			?=
-$(2)_MAKE			?= $(MAKE)
+$(2)_MAKE			?= $$(MAKE)
 $(2)_MAKE_ENV			?=
 $(2)_MAKE_OPT			?=
 $(2)_INSTALL_HOST_OPT		?= install
 $(2)_INSTALL_STAGING_OPT	?= DESTDIR=$$(STAGING_DIR) install
 $(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT		?= DESTDIR=$$(TARGET_DIR) install
 
-$(2)_SRCDIR			= $$($(2)_DIR)/$($(2)_SUBDIR)
+$(2)_SRCDIR			= $$($(2)_DIR)/$$($(2)_SUBDIR)
 $(2)_BUILDDIR			= $$($(2)_SRCDIR)
 
 #
@@ -60,12 +60,12 @@  ifeq ($(4),target)
 define $(2)_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 	(cd $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR) && \
 	rm -f CMakeCache.txt && \
-	PATH=$(BR_PATH) \
-	$$($$(PKG)_CONF_ENV) $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/cmake $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) \
+	PATH=$$(BR_PATH) \
+	$$($$(PKG)_CONF_ENV) $$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/cmake $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) \
 		-DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="$$(HOST_DIR)/usr/share/buildroot/toolchainfile.cmake" \
 		-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX="/usr" \
 		-DCMAKE_COLOR_MAKEFILE=OFF \
-		-DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=$(if $(BR2_PREFER_STATIC_LIB),OFF,ON) \
+		-DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=$$(if $$(BR2_PREFER_STATIC_LIB),OFF,ON) \
 		$$($$(PKG)_CONF_OPT) \
 	)
 endef
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@  else
 define $(2)_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 	(cd $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR) && \
 	rm -f CMakeCache.txt && \
-	PATH=$(BR_PATH) \
-	$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/cmake $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) \
+	PATH=$$(BR_PATH) \
+	$$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/cmake $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) \
 		-DCMAKE_INSTALL_SO_NO_EXE=0 \
 		-DCMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH="$$(HOST_DIR)" \
 		-DCMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_PROGRAM="BOTH" \
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@  endif
 
 # This must be repeated from inner-generic-package, otherwise we only get
 # host-cmake in _DEPENDENCIES because of the following line
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES ?= $(filter-out host-toolchain $(1),$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$(addprefix host-,$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+ifeq ($$(origin $(2)_DEPENDENCIES),undefined)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES := $$(filter-out host-toolchain $(1),$$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$$(addprefix host-,$$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+endif
 
 $(2)_DEPENDENCIES += host-cmake
 
@@ -102,11 +104,11 @@  endif
 ifndef $(2)_BUILD_CMDS
 ifeq ($(4),target)
 define $(2)_BUILD_CMDS
-	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
+	$$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
 endef
 else
 define $(2)_BUILD_CMDS
-	$(HOST_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
+	$$(HOST_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
 endef
 endif
 endif
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@  endif
 #
 ifndef $(2)_INSTALL_CMDS
 define $(2)_INSTALL_CMDS
-	$(HOST_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_HOST_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
+	$$(HOST_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_HOST_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
 endef
 endif
 
@@ -127,7 +129,7 @@  endif
 #
 ifndef $(2)_INSTALL_STAGING_CMDS
 define $(2)_INSTALL_STAGING_CMDS
-	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_STAGING_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
+	$$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_STAGING_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
 endef
 endif
 
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@  endif
 #
 ifndef $(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_CMDS
 define $(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_CMDS
-	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
+	$$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_ENV) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE) $$($$(PKG)_MAKE_OPT) $$($$(PKG)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) -C $$($$(PKG)_BUILDDIR)
 endef
 endif
 
diff --git a/package/pkg-generic.mk b/package/pkg-generic.mk
--- a/package/pkg-generic.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-generic.mk
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@  define inner-generic-package
 
 $(2)_TYPE                       =  $(4)
 $(2)_NAME			=  $(1)
-$(2)_RAWNAME			=  $(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
+$(2)_RAWNAME			=  $$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
 
 # Keep the package version that may contain forward slashes in the _DL_VERSION
 # variable, then replace all forward slashes ('/') by underscores ('_') to
@@ -272,15 +272,15 @@  define inner-generic-package
 # version control system branch or tag, for example remotes/origin/1_10_stable.
 ifndef $(2)_VERSION
  ifdef $(3)_VERSION
-  $(2)_DL_VERSION = $($(3)_VERSION)
-  $(2)_VERSION = $(subst /,_,$($(3)_VERSION))
+  $(2)_DL_VERSION = $$($(3)_VERSION)
+  $(2)_VERSION := $$(subst /,_,$$($(3)_VERSION))
  else
   $(2)_VERSION = undefined
   $(2)_DL_VERSION = undefined
  endif
 else
-  $(2)_DL_VERSION = $($(2)_VERSION)
-  $(2)_VERSION = $(subst /,_,$($(2)_VERSION))
+  $(2)_DL_VERSION = $$($(2)_VERSION)
+  $(2)_VERSION := $$(subst /,_,$$($(2)_VERSION))
 endif
 
 $(2)_BASE_NAME	=  $(1)-$$($(2)_VERSION)
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@  endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_SOURCE
  ifdef $(3)_SOURCE
-  $(2)_SOURCE = $($(3)_SOURCE)
+  $(2)_SOURCE = $$($(3)_SOURCE)
  else
   $(2)_SOURCE			?= $$($(2)_RAWNAME)-$$($(2)_VERSION).tar.gz
  endif
@@ -312,22 +312,22 @@  endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_PATCH
  ifdef $(3)_PATCH
-  $(2)_PATCH = $($(3)_PATCH)
+  $(2)_PATCH = $$($(3)_PATCH)
  endif
 endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_SITE
  ifdef $(3)_SITE
-  $(2)_SITE = $($(3)_SITE)
+  $(2)_SITE = $$($(3)_SITE)
  endif
 endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_SITE_METHOD
  ifdef $(3)_SITE_METHOD
-  $(2)_SITE_METHOD = $($(3)_SITE_METHOD)
+  $(2)_SITE_METHOD = $$($(3)_SITE_METHOD)
  else
 	# Try automatic detection using the scheme part of the URI
-	$(2)_SITE_METHOD = $(call geturischeme,$($(2)_SITE))
+	$(2)_SITE_METHOD = $$(call geturischeme,$$($(2)_SITE))
  endif
 endif
 
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@  endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_LICENSE
  ifdef $(3)_LICENSE
-  $(2)_LICENSE = $($(3)_LICENSE)
+  $(2)_LICENSE = $$($(3)_LICENSE)
  endif
 endif
 
@@ -347,13 +347,13 @@  endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_LICENSE_FILES
  ifdef $(3)_LICENSE_FILES
-  $(2)_LICENSE_FILES = $($(3)_LICENSE_FILES)
+  $(2)_LICENSE_FILES = $$($(3)_LICENSE_FILES)
  endif
 endif
 
 ifndef $(2)_REDISTRIBUTE
  ifdef $(3)_REDISTRIBUTE
-  $(2)_REDISTRIBUTE = $($(3)_REDISTRIBUTE)
+  $(2)_REDISTRIBUTE = $$($(3)_REDISTRIBUTE)
  endif
 endif
 
@@ -364,8 +364,10 @@  endif
 # dependency
 $(2)_ADD_TOOLCHAIN_DEPENDENCY	?= YES
 
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES ?= $(filter-out  host-toolchain $(1),\
-	$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$(addprefix host-,$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+ifeq ($$(origin $(2)_DEPENDENCIES),undefined)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES := $$(filter-out  host-toolchain $(1),\
+	$$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$$(addprefix host-,$$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+endif
 ifeq ($(4),target)
 ifeq ($$($(2)_ADD_TOOLCHAIN_DEPENDENCY),YES)
 $(2)_DEPENDENCIES += toolchain
@@ -392,8 +394,8 @@  endif
 
 # default extract command
 $(2)_EXTRACT_CMDS ?= \
-	$$(if $$($(2)_SOURCE),$$(INFLATE$$(suffix $$($(2)_SOURCE))) $(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE) | \
-	$(TAR) $(TAR_STRIP_COMPONENTS)=1 -C $$($(2)_DIR) $(TAR_OPTIONS) -)
+	$$(if $$($(2)_SOURCE),$$(INFLATE$$(suffix $$($(2)_SOURCE))) $$(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE) | \
+	$$(TAR) $$(TAR_STRIP_COMPONENTS)=1 -C $$($(2)_DIR) $$(TAR_OPTIONS) -)
 
 # pre/post-steps hooks
 $(2)_PRE_DOWNLOAD_HOOKS         ?=
@@ -467,7 +469,7 @@  endif
 $$($(2)_TARGET_CONFIGURE):	| $$($(2)_DEPENDENCIES)
 
 $$($(2)_TARGET_SOURCE) $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC): | dirs prepare
-ifeq ($(filter $(1),$(DEPENDENCIES_HOST_PREREQ)),)
+ifeq ($$(filter $(1),$$(DEPENDENCIES_HOST_PREREQ)),)
 $$($(2)_TARGET_SOURCE) $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC): | dependencies
 endif
 
@@ -510,11 +512,11 @@  endif
 			@echo $$($(2)_DEPENDENCIES)
 
 $(1)-graph-depends:
-			@$(INSTALL) -d $(O)/graphs
-			@cd "$(CONFIG_DIR)"; \
-			$(TOPDIR)/support/scripts/graph-depends -p $(1) -d $(BR_GRAPH_DEPTH) \
-			|tee $(O)/graphs/$$(@).dot \
-			|dot -T$(BR_GRAPH_OUT) -o $(O)/graphs/$$(@).$(BR_GRAPH_OUT)
+			@$$(INSTALL) -d $$(O)/graphs
+			@cd "$$(CONFIG_DIR)"; \
+			$$(TOPDIR)/support/scripts/graph-depends -p $(1) -d $$(BR_GRAPH_DEPTH) \
+			|tee $$(O)/graphs/$$(@).dot \
+			|dot -T$$(BR_GRAPH_OUT) -o $$(O)/graphs/$$(@).$$(BR_GRAPH_OUT)
 
 $(1)-dirclean:		$$($(2)_TARGET_DIRCLEAN)
 
@@ -548,7 +550,7 @@  endif
 $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC_SOURCE):		SRCDIR=$$($(2)_OVERRIDE_SRCDIR)
 $$($(2)_TARGET_RSYNC_SOURCE):		PKG=$(2)
 $$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			PKG=$(2)
-$$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			RAWNAME=$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
+$$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			RAWNAME=$$(patsubst host-%,%,$(1))
 $$($(2)_TARGET_PATCH):			PKGDIR=$(pkgdir)
 $$($(2)_TARGET_EXTRACT):		PKG=$(2)
 $$($(2)_TARGET_SOURCE):			PKG=$(2)
@@ -559,9 +561,9 @@  endif
 # kernel case, the bootloaders case, and the normal packages case.
 ifeq ($(1),linux)
 $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_LINUX_KERNEL
-else ifneq ($(filter boot/%,$(pkgdir)),)
+else ifneq ($$(filter boot/%,$(pkgdir)),)
 $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_TARGET_$(2)
-else ifneq ($(filter toolchain/%,$(pkgdir)),)
+else ifneq ($$(filter toolchain/%,$(pkgdir)),)
 $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_$(2)
 else
 $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR = BR2_PACKAGE_$(2)
@@ -577,7 +579,7 @@  ifeq ($$($(2)_REDISTRIBUTE),YES)
 ifneq ($$($(2)_SITE_METHOD),local)
 ifneq ($$($(2)_SITE_METHOD),override)
 # Packages that have a tarball need it downloaded and extracted beforehand
-$(1)-legal-info: $(1)-extract $(REDIST_SOURCES_DIR_$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
+$(1)-legal-info: $(1)-extract $$(REDIST_SOURCES_DIR_$$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
 $(2)_MANIFEST_TARBALL = $$($(2)_SOURCE)
 endif
 endif
@@ -587,40 +589,40 @@  endif
 # legal-info: produce legally relevant info.
 $(1)-legal-info:
 # Packages without a source are assumed to be part of Buildroot, skip them.
-	$(foreach hook,$($(2)_PRE_LEGAL_INFO_HOOKS),$(call $(hook))$(sep))
-ifneq ($(call qstrip,$$($(2)_SOURCE)),)
+	$$(foreach hook,$$($(2)_PRE_LEGAL_INFO_HOOKS),$$(call $$(hook))$$(sep))
+ifneq ($$(call qstrip,$$($(2)_SOURCE)),)
 
 ifeq ($$($(2)_SITE_METHOD),local)
 # Packages without a tarball: don't save and warn
-	@$(call legal-warning-pkg-savednothing,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),local)
+	@$$(call legal-warning-pkg-savednothing,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),local)
 
 else ifneq ($$($(2)_OVERRIDE_SRCDIR),)
-	@$(call legal-warning-pkg-savednothing,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),override)
+	@$$(call legal-warning-pkg-savednothing,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),override)
 
 else
 # Other packages
 
 # Save license files if defined
-ifeq ($(call qstrip,$$($(2)_LICENSE_FILES)),)
-	@$(call legal-license-nofiles,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
-	@$(call legal-warning-pkg,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),cannot save license ($(2)_LICENSE_FILES not defined))
+ifeq ($$(call qstrip,$$($(2)_LICENSE_FILES)),)
+	@$$(call legal-license-nofiles,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),$$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
+	@$$(call legal-warning-pkg,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),cannot save license ($(2)_LICENSE_FILES not defined))
 else
 # Double dollar signs are really needed here, to catch host packages
 # without explicit HOST_FOO_LICENSE_FILES assignment, also in case they
 # have multiple license files.
-	@$$(foreach F,$$($(2)_LICENSE_FILES),$$(call legal-license-file,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),$$(F),$$($(2)_DIR)/$$(F),$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))$$(sep))
+	@$$(foreach F,$$($(2)_LICENSE_FILES),$$(call legal-license-file,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),$$(F),$$($(2)_DIR)/$$(F),$$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))$$(sep))
 endif # license files
 
 ifeq ($$($(2)_REDISTRIBUTE),YES)
 # Copy the source tarball (just hardlink if possible)
-	@cp -l $(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE) $(REDIST_SOURCES_DIR_$(call UPPERCASE,$(4))) 2>/dev/null || \
-	   cp $(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE) $(REDIST_SOURCES_DIR_$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
+	@cp -l $$(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE) $$(REDIST_SOURCES_DIR_$$(call UPPERCASE,$(4))) 2>/dev/null || \
+	   cp $$(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE) $$(REDIST_SOURCES_DIR_$$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
 endif # redistribute
 
 endif # other packages
-	@$(call legal-manifest,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),$$($(2)_VERSION),$$($(2)_LICENSE),$$($(2)_MANIFEST_LICENSE_FILES),$$($(2)_MANIFEST_TARBALL),$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
-endif # ifneq ($(call qstrip,$$($(2)_SOURCE)),)
-	$(foreach hook,$($(2)_POST_LEGAL_INFO_HOOKS),$(call $(hook))$(sep))
+	@$$(call legal-manifest,$$($(2)_RAWNAME),$$($(2)_VERSION),$$($(2)_LICENSE),$$($(2)_MANIFEST_LICENSE_FILES),$$($(2)_MANIFEST_TARBALL),$$(call UPPERCASE,$(4)))
+endif # ifneq ($$(call qstrip,$$($(2)_SOURCE)),)
+	$$(foreach hook,$$($(2)_POST_LEGAL_INFO_HOOKS),$$(call $$(hook))$$(sep))
 
 # add package to the general list of targets if requested by the buildroot
 # configuration
@@ -649,8 +651,8 @@  endif # SITE_METHOD
 # ZCAT="gzip -d -c", and to check for the dependency we only want 'gzip'.
 # Do not add xzcat to the list of required dependencies, as it gets built
 # automatically if it isn't found.
-ifneq ($(call suitable-extractor,$($(2)_SOURCE)),$(XZCAT))
-DL_TOOLS_DEPENDENCIES += $(firstword $(call suitable-extractor,$($(2)_SOURCE)))
+ifneq ($$(call suitable-extractor,$$($(2)_SOURCE)),$$(XZCAT))
+DL_TOOLS_DEPENDENCIES += $$(firstword $$(call suitable-extractor,$$($(2)_SOURCE)))
 endif
 
 endif # $(2)_KCONFIG_VAR
diff --git a/package/pkg-luarocks.mk b/package/pkg-luarocks.mk
--- a/package/pkg-luarocks.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-luarocks.mk
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ 
 define inner-luarocks-package
 
 $(2)_BUILD_OPT		?=
-$(2)_SUBDIR		?= $(1)-$(shell echo "$($(3)_VERSION)" | sed -e "s/-[0-9]$$//")
-$(2)_ROCKSPEC		?= $(1)-$($(3)_VERSION).rockspec
-$(2)_SOURCE		?= $(1)-$($(3)_VERSION).src.rock
-$(2)_SITE		?= $(call qstrip,$(BR2_LUAROCKS_MIRROR))
+$(2)_SUBDIR		?= $(1)-$$(shell echo "$$($(3)_VERSION)" | sed -e "s/-[0-9]$$$$//")
+$(2)_ROCKSPEC		?= $(1)-$$($(3)_VERSION).rockspec
+$(2)_SOURCE		?= $(1)-$$($(3)_VERSION).src.rock
+$(2)_SITE		?= $$(call qstrip,$$(BR2_LUAROCKS_MIRROR))
 
 # Since we do not support host-luarocks-package, we know this is
 # a target package, and can just add the required dependencies
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@  define inner-luarocks-package
 ifndef $(2)_EXTRACT_CMDS
 define $(2)_EXTRACT_CMDS
 	cd $$($(2)_DIR)/.. && \
-	 $$(LUAROCKS_RUN) unpack --force $(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE)
+	 $$(LUAROCKS_RUN) unpack --force $$(DL_DIR)/$$($(2)_SOURCE)
 endef
 endif
 
diff --git a/package/pkg-perl.mk b/package/pkg-perl.mk
--- a/package/pkg-perl.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-perl.mk
@@ -51,18 +51,18 @@  define $(2)_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 	cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && if [ -f Build.PL ] ; then \
 		PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 \
 		perl Build.PL \
-			--config ar="$(TARGET_AR)" \
-			--config full_ar="$(TARGET_AR)" \
-			--config cc="$(TARGET_CC)" \
-			--config ccflags="$(TARGET_CFLAGS)" \
-			--config ld="$(TARGET_CC)" \
-			--config lddlflags="-shared $(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
-			--config ldflags="$(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
-			--include_dirs $$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/lib/perl5/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$(PERL_ARCHNAME)/CORE \
+			--config ar="$$(TARGET_AR)" \
+			--config full_ar="$$(TARGET_AR)" \
+			--config cc="$$(TARGET_CC)" \
+			--config ccflags="$$(TARGET_CFLAGS)" \
+			--config ld="$$(TARGET_CC)" \
+			--config lddlflags="-shared $$(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
+			--config ldflags="$$(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
+			--include_dirs $$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/lib/perl5/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$$(PERL_ARCHNAME)/CORE \
 			--destdir $$(TARGET_DIR) \
 			--installdirs vendor \
 			--install_path lib=/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/$$(PERL_VERSION) \
-			--install_path arch=/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$(PERL_ARCHNAME) \
+			--install_path arch=/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$$(PERL_ARCHNAME) \
 			--install_path bin=/usr/bin \
 			--install_path script=/usr/bin \
 			--install_path bindoc=/usr/share/man/man1 \
@@ -72,17 +72,17 @@  define $(2)_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 		PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 \
 		PERL_AUTOINSTALL=--skipdeps \
 		perl Makefile.PL \
-			AR="$(TARGET_AR)" \
-			FULL_AR="$(TARGET_AR)" \
-			CC="$(TARGET_CC)" \
-			CCFLAGS="$(TARGET_CFLAGS)" \
-			LD="$(TARGET_CC)" \
-			LDDLFLAGS="-shared $(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
-			LDFLAGS="$(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
+			AR="$$(TARGET_AR)" \
+			FULL_AR="$$(TARGET_AR)" \
+			CC="$$(TARGET_CC)" \
+			CCFLAGS="$$(TARGET_CFLAGS)" \
+			LD="$$(TARGET_CC)" \
+			LDDLFLAGS="-shared $$(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
+			LDFLAGS="$$(TARGET_LDFLAGS)" \
 			DESTDIR=$$(TARGET_DIR) \
 			INSTALLDIRS=vendor \
 			INSTALLVENDORLIB=/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/$$(PERL_VERSION) \
-			INSTALLVENDORARCH=/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$(PERL_ARCHNAME) \
+			INSTALLVENDORARCH=/usr/lib/perl5/site_perl/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$$(PERL_ARCHNAME) \
 			INSTALLVENDORBIN=/usr/bin \
 			INSTALLVENDORSCRIPT=/usr/bin \
 			INSTALLVENDORMAN1DIR=/usr/share/man/man1 \
@@ -125,8 +125,8 @@  define $(2)_BUILD_CMDS
 	cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && if [ -f Build.PL ] ; then \
 		perl Build $$($(2)_BUILD_OPT) build; \
 	else \
-		$(MAKE1) \
-			PERL_INC=$$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/lib/perl5/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$(PERL_ARCHNAME)/CORE \
+		$$(MAKE1) \
+			PERL_INC=$$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/lib/perl5/$$(PERL_VERSION)/$$(PERL_ARCHNAME)/CORE \
 			$$($(2)_BUILD_OPT) pure_all; \
 	fi
 endef
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@  define $(2)_BUILD_CMDS
 	cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && if [ -f Build.PL ] ; then \
 		perl Build $$($(2)_BUILD_OPT) build; \
 	else \
-		$(MAKE1) $$($(2)_BUILD_OPT) pure_all; \
+		$$(MAKE1) $$($(2)_BUILD_OPT) pure_all; \
 	fi
 endef
 endif
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@  define $(2)_INSTALL_CMDS
 	cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && if [ -f Build.PL ] ; then \
 		perl Build $$($(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) install; \
 	else \
-		$(MAKE1) $$($(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) pure_install; \
+		$$(MAKE1) $$($(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) pure_install; \
 	fi
 endef
 endif
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@  define $(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_CMDS
 	cd $$($$(PKG)_SRCDIR) && if [ -f Build.PL ] ; then \
 		perl Build $$($(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) install; \
 	else \
-		$(MAKE1) $$($(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) pure_install; \
+		$$(MAKE1) $$($(2)_INSTALL_TARGET_OPT) pure_install; \
 	fi
 endef
 endif
diff --git a/package/pkg-python.mk b/package/pkg-python.mk
--- a/package/pkg-python.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-python.mk
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@  HOST_PKG_PYTHON_SETUPTOOLS_INSTALL_OPT =
 
 define inner-python-package
 
-$(2)_SRCDIR	= $$($(2)_DIR)/$($(2)_SUBDIR)
+$(2)_SRCDIR	= $$($(2)_DIR)/$$($(2)_SUBDIR)
 $(2)_BUILDDIR	= $$($(2)_SRCDIR)
 
 $(2)_ENV         ?=
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@  define inner-python-package
 
 ifndef $(2)_SETUP_TYPE
  ifdef $(3)_SETUP_TYPE
-  $(2)_SETUP_TYPE = $($(3)_SETUP_TYPE)
+  $(2)_SETUP_TYPE = $$($(3)_SETUP_TYPE)
  else
   $$(error "$(2)_SETUP_TYPE must be set")
  endif
@@ -138,7 +138,9 @@  endif
 # depending on the package characteristics, and shouldn't be derived
 # automatically from the dependencies of the corresponding target
 # package.
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES ?= $(filter-out host-python host-python3 host-python-setuptools host-toolchain $(1),$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$(addprefix host-,$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+ifeq ($$(origin $(2)_DEPENDENCIES),undefined)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES := $$(filter-out host-python host-python3 host-python-setuptools host-toolchain $(1),$$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$$(addprefix host-,$$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+endif
 
 # Target packages need both the python interpreter on the target (for
 # runtime) and the python interpreter on the host (for
@@ -155,19 +157,19 @@  endif
 #   - otherwise, we depend on the one requested by *_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON.
 #
 ifeq ($(4),target)
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES += $(if $(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3),host-python3 python3,host-python python)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES += $$(if $$(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3),host-python3 python3,host-python python)
 else
-ifeq ($($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),)
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES += $(if $(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3),host-python3,host-python)
+ifeq ($$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES += $$(if $$(BR2_PACKAGE_PYTHON3),host-python3,host-python)
 else
-ifeq ($($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),python2)
+ifeq ($$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),python2)
 $(2)_DEPENDENCIES += host-python
-else ifeq ($($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),python3)
+else ifeq ($$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),python3)
 $(2)_DEPENDENCIES += host-python3
 else
-$$(error Incorrect value '$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON)' for $(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON)
+$$(error Incorrect value '$$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON)' for $(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON)
 endif
-endif # ($($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),)
+endif # ($$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),)
 endif # ($(4),target)
 
 # Setuptools based packages will need host-python-setuptools (both
@@ -196,12 +198,12 @@  endif
 #   - otherwise, we use the one requested by *_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON.
 #
 ifeq ($(4),target)
-$(2)_PYTHON_INTERPRETER = $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python
+$(2)_PYTHON_INTERPRETER = $$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python
 else
-ifeq ($($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),)
-$(2)_PYTHON_INTERPRETER = $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python
+ifeq ($$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON),)
+$(2)_PYTHON_INTERPRETER = $$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python
 else
-$(2)_PYTHON_INTERPRETER = $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON)
+$(2)_PYTHON_INTERPRETER = $$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/$$($(2)_NEEDS_HOST_PYTHON)
 endif
 endif
 
diff --git a/package/pkg-virtual.mk b/package/pkg-virtual.mk
--- a/package/pkg-virtual.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-virtual.mk
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ 
 define inner-virtual-package
 
 # Ensure the virtual package has an implementation defined.
-ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_HAS_$(2)),y)
-ifeq ($(call qstrip,$(BR2_PACKAGE_PROVIDES_$(2))),)
+ifeq ($$(BR2_PACKAGE_HAS_$(2)),y)
+ifeq ($$(call qstrip,$$(BR2_PACKAGE_PROVIDES_$(2))),)
 $$(error No implementation selected for virtual package $(1). Configuration error)
 endif
 endif
@@ -50,11 +50,13 @@  HOST_$(3)_VERSION = virtual
 
 # This must be repeated from inner-generic-package, otherwise we get an empty
 # _DEPENDENCIES
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES ?= $(filter-out host-toolchain $(1),\
-	$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$(addprefix host-,$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+ifeq ($$(origin $(2)_DEPENDENCIES),undefined)
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES := $$(filter-out host-toolchain $(1),\
+	$$(patsubst host-host-%,host-%,$$(addprefix host-,$$($(3)_DEPENDENCIES))))
+endif
 
 # Add dependency against the provider
-$(2)_DEPENDENCIES += $(call qstrip,$(BR2_PACKAGE_PROVIDES_$(2)))
+$(2)_DEPENDENCIES += $$(call qstrip,$$(BR2_PACKAGE_PROVIDES_$(2)))
 
 # Call the generic package infrastructure to generate the necessary
 # make targets