auto.master - Linux

Overview

auto.master is a configuration file used to customize the behavior of the GNU Autoconf utility, a toolset for generating portable code among diverse computing platforms. It provides a centralized location to define macros, configure compilation flags, and manage dependencies for a software project.

Syntax

auto.master [options] [<path_to_bootstrap>]

Options

  • -h, --help: Display help text and exit.
  • -V, --version: Print version information and exit.
  • -b, --bootstrap: Bootstrap the configuration by running the specified script.
  • -d, --debug: Print debug information during configuration.
  • -n, --no-automake: Disable Automake support.

Examples

Basic Usage

Configure a project using a custom bootstrap script:

auto.master -b bootstrap.sh

Customizing Macros

Define a project-specific macro in auto.master:

m4_define([PROJECT_VERSION], [1.0])

Managing Dependencies

Specify dependencies using the AC_CHECK_LIB macro:

AC_CHECK_LIB([zlib], [zlibVersion])

Common Issues

Undefined Macros

Ensure that you have defined all necessary macros before using them, or they will be undefined and cause build errors.

Configuration Conflicts

If multiple configuration options conflict, the last defined value will take precedence. To resolve conflicts, reorder the options or use the AC_DEFINE macro to override previous definitions.

Integration

auto.master can be used with:

  • Automake: A tool for automating the creation of Makefiles.
  • Libtool: A tool for simplifying the creation of shared libraries.
  • Gettext: A tool for internationalizing software.

Related Commands

  • configure: Generate configuration scripts for a project.
  • autoconf: Generate a configure script from an auto.master file.
  • aclocal: Locate and install missing macros for Autoconf.