In Linux platforms, aclocal command is used for generating aclocal.m4 files from configure.in file. This command when executed, scans the macro definitions in .m4 files in default directory path at /usr/share/aclocal, and also within a file named acinclude.m4. Later, it also scans for the macros used in configure.in file, after which the command generates an acloal.m4 file that includes definitions of all m4 macros.
Syntax:
aclocal [, OPTION/]... [, SRCDIR/]
Available Options To Use ‘aclocal’ command
- -acdir=dir: used for searching macro files in a specified directory named dir despite the default directory
- -help: displays the help message and exits
- -I Directory: adds a defined directory to the list of directories searched for .m4 files
- -output=File: saves the output of the command within a specified File instead if aclocal.m4 file
- -system-acdir-dir: shows the folder having third party system wide files
- -diff: allows users to run the command diff on m4 files which might be altered
- -verbose: prints the name of files it checks
- -print-ac-dir: prints the directory name that is to be searched and exits
- -force: updates the output files
- -dry-run: pretends to update the files
- -version: displays version and exits
- -W or -warnings: displays the warning’s falling in the category (The warning categories includes syntax, unsupported, all, no-category, none, and error.)
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.