(automake-1.16.info)Strictness

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3.2 Strictness
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While Automake is intended to be used by maintainers of GNU packages, it
does make some effort to accommodate those who wish to use it, but do
not want to use all the GNU conventions.

   To this end, Automake supports three levels of “strictness”—the
strictness indicating how stringently Automake should check standards
conformance.

   The valid strictness levels are:

‘foreign’
     Automake will check for only those things that are absolutely
     required for proper operations.  For instance, whereas GNU
     standards dictate the existence of a ‘NEWS’ file, it will not be
     required in this mode.  This strictness will also turn off some
     warnings by default (among them, portability warnings).  The name
     comes from the fact that Automake is intended to be used for GNU
     programs; these relaxed rules are not the standard mode of
     operation.

‘gnu’
     Automake will check—as much as possible—for compliance to the GNU
     standards for packages.  This is the default.

‘gnits’
     Automake will check for compliance to the as-yet-unwritten “Gnits
     standards”.  These are based on the GNU standards, but are even
     more detailed.  Unless you are a Gnits standards contributor, it is
     recommended that you avoid this option until such time as the Gnits
     standard is actually published (which may never happen).

   Note: Gnits, for more information on the precise implications of
the strictness level.