autoreconf command in Linux is basically a part of Autotool. The term Autotool is a common name for all Linux commands that includes ‘auto‘ as prefix and those commands include autoconf, automake, autoheader, and many more. By using the autoconf, users can create automatically buildable source code for Linux distros.
By default, the autoconf only remakes those files which are older than than its predecessors. Means, in case if new versions of GNU Build System is installed, the autoreconf remakes all its files by providing “–force” option.
Note: Autotools in Linux platforms are used for making automatically buildable source code for distribution purpose.
Syntax to use autoreconf command
autoreconf [OPTION] [CONFIGURE-AC/DIRECTORY]
Available options to use with autoreconf command
-h | -help: Displays the help message and exits
-V | -version: Displays the version number and exits
-v | -verbose: Reports verbose processes
-d | -debug: Tells the autoreconf to remove not the temporary files
-f | -force: Using this option, autoreconf considers all files obsolete
-i | -install: Used for copying missing auxiliary files
-no-recursive: Tells to re-build not sub-packages
-s | -symlink: With the use of -i, this option is used to install symbolic links
-m | -make: when applicable, re-run ./configure && make
-W | –Warnings=CATEGORY: Reports the warnings falling in specified CATEGORY
About library directories:
– B | –prepend-include=DIR: prepend directory DIR to search path
-I | –include=DIR: appends directory DIR to search path
Essential configuration files associated with autoreconf
configure.ac: Thie file describes the configuration for autoreconf
Makefile.am: The file describes the sources of program files and compiler flags for automake
Nishant Verma is a senior web developer who love to share his knowledge about Linux, SysAdmin, and more other web handlers. Currently, he loves to write as content contributor for ServoNode.