(autoconf.info)Invoking autoreconf

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2.5 Using 'autoreconf' to Update 'configure' Scripts
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If you have a lot of Autoconf-generated 'configure' scripts, the
'autoreconf' program can save you some work.  It runs 'autoconf' (and
'autoheader', where appropriate) repeatedly to remake the Autoconf
'configure' scripts and configuration header templates in the directory
tree rooted at the current directory.  By default, it only remakes those
files that are older than their 'configure.in' or (if present)
'aclocal.m4'.  Since 'autoheader' does not change the timestamp of its
output file if the file wouldn't be changing, this is not necessarily
the minimum amount of work.  If you install a new version of Autoconf,
you can make 'autoreconf' remake _all_ of the files by giving it the
'--force' option.

   If you give 'autoreconf' the '--macrodir=DIR' or '--localdir=DIR'
options, it passes them down to 'autoconf' and 'autoheader' (with
relative paths adjusted properly).

   'autoreconf' does not support having, in the same directory tree,
both directories that are parts of a larger package (sharing
'aclocal.m4' and 'acconfig.h'), and directories that are independent
packages (each with their own 'aclocal.m4' and 'acconfig.h').  It
assumes that they are all part of the same package, if you use
'--localdir', or that each directory is a separate package, if you don't
use it.  This restriction may be removed in the future.

   Note: Automatic Remaking, for 'Makefile' rules to automatically
remake 'configure' scripts when their source files change.  That method
handles the timestamps of configuration header templates properly, but
does not pass '--macrodir=DIR' or '--localdir=DIR'.

'autoreconf' accepts the following options:

'--help'
'-h'
     Print a summary of the command line options and exit.

'--force'
'-f'
     Remake even 'configure' scripts and configuration headers that are
     newer than their input files ('configure.in' and, if present,
     'aclocal.m4').

'--localdir=DIR'
'-l DIR'
     Have 'autoconf' and 'autoheader' look for the package files
     'aclocal.m4' and ('autoheader' only) 'acconfig.h' (but not
     'FILE.top' and 'FILE.bot') in directory DIR instead of in the
     directory containing each 'configure.in'.

'--macrodir=DIR'
'-m DIR'
     Look for the Autoconf macro files in directory DIR instead of the
     default installation directory.  You can also set the 'AC_MACRODIR'
     environment variable to a directory; this option overrides the
     environment variable.

'--verbose'
     Print the name of each directory where 'autoreconf' runs 'autoconf'
     (and 'autoheader', if appropriate).

'--version'
     Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.