Is there a C project Default Directory Layout?

Question

I've always wanted to know if there is a default directory layout for C projects. You know, which folders should i put which files and such.

So I've downloaded lots of project's source codes on SourceForge and they were all different than each other. Generally, I found more or less this structure:

    /project         (root project folder, has project name)
    |
    |____/bin        (the final executable file)
    |
    |
    |____/doc        (project documentation)
    |    |
    |    |____/html  (documentation on html)
    |    |
    |    |____/latex (documentation on latex)
    |
    |
    |____/src        (every source file, .c and .c)
    |    |
    |    |____/test  (unit testing files)
    |
    |
    |____/obj        (where the generated .o files will be)
    |
    |
    |____/lib        (any library dependences)
    |
    |
    |____BUGS        (known bugs)
    |
    |____ChangeLog   (list of changes and such)
    |
    |____COPYING     (project license and warranty info)
    |
    |____Doxyfile    (Doxygen instructions file)
    |
    |____INSTALL     (install instructions)
    |        |
    |____Makefile    (make instructions file)
    |
    |____README      (general readme of the project)
    |
    |____TODO        (todo list)

Is there a default standard somewhere?

Edit: Sorry, really. I realised there are numerous similar questions for recommended C project directory files. But I've seen people say what they think is best. I'm looking for a standard, something that people usually follow.

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I suspect that what you have is as close to a standard as you're going to find. — NPE, Dec 15 '11 at 16:19
So I guess I'll document it and make it the official default! Muhahaha >:D — alexdantas, Dec 15 '11 at 16:57

score 17 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 15 '11 at 16:15

17

I would say "no", and your empirical evidence seems to support that.

I usually get confused right around when I need to decide between doc/ and docs/ ...

answered Dec 15 '11 at 16:15

unwind

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Most of the projects i find prefer 3-letter folders, like doc, cfg (configuration), res (resources) and even tst (for testing). – alexdantas Dec 15 '11 at 16:25
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@alexdantas I have seen the same thing. It's curious that it's good programming practice to have meaningful names i code but apparently not in the project hierarchy. That said, I do use the short names myself but I also consider it kind of a bad habit. – Kenneth Dec 15 '11 at 17:16

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 15 '11 at 20:32

5

Well, there is “libabc” which is showcasing common practice.

answered Dec 15 '11 at 20:32

jørgensen

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Is there a C project Default Directory Layout?

2 Answers2