autoconf:tldr:1a56b

The autoconf command is used in the GNU Autotools build system to generate the "configure" script for a software project.

When developing software, it is common to have different platforms, compilers, or dependencies which may require specific configuration settings to build the software correctly. These settings can be determined automatically using the autoconf command.

The autoconf command reads a configuration file called "configure.ac" (or "configure.in" in older projects) which contains a set of macros written in the M4 macro language. These macros define tests that check for the presence and functionality of various system features and dependencies, such as libraries, header files, functions, or compiler flags.

By running the autoconf command, these macros are expanded, and a "configure" script is generated. This script is essentially a shell script that checks the system for the required features and generates a Makefile custom-tailored for the specific system.

The generated "configure" script can be executed on the target machine to perform the necessary checks and configurations, and then it generates the Makefile for the project. The Makefile specifies how the software should be built and set up, including compiler flags, directories, and dependencies.

In summary, the autoconf command is used to generate a "configure" script that automates the configuration process of a software project, making it easier to build and install the software on different systems.