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(autoconf.info)Invoking autoreconf

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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.