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autoconf/doc/autoconf.texi
Akim Demaille 8edeaa522c In info', it is easier to type autoconf <TAB>' to reach the list 
of options, that `Invoking autoc<TAB>'.

* doc/autoconf.texi: s/Invoking foo/foo Invocation/.
2000-05-26 14:38:15 +00:00

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\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
@c %**start of header
@setfilename autoconf.info
@settitle Autoconf
@c For double-sided printing, uncomment:
@c @setchapternewpage odd
@c %**end of header
@include version.texi
@iftex
@finalout
@end iftex
@c A simple macro for optional variables.
@macro ovar{varname}
@r{[}@var{\varname\}@r{]}
@end macro
@dircategory GNU admin
@direntry
* Autoconf: (autoconf). Create source code configuration scripts
@end direntry
@dircategory Individual utilities
@direntry
* autoscan: (autoconf)autoscan Invocation.
Semi-automatic @file{configure.in} writing
* ifnames: (autoconf)ifnames Invocation.
Listing the conditionals in source code
* autoconf: (autoconf)autoconf Invocation.
How to create configuration scripts
* autoreconf: (autoconf)autoreconf Invocation.
Remaking multiple @code{configure} scripts
* configure: (autoconf)configure Invocation.
Configuring a package
* config.status: (autoconf)config.status Invocation.
Recreating a configuration
@end direntry
@ifinfo
Autoconf: Creating Automatic Configuration Scripts, by David MacKenzie.
This file documents the GNU Autoconf package for creating scripts to
configure source code packages using templates and an @code{m4} macro
package.
Copyright (C) 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 Free Software
Foundation, Inc.
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.
@ignore
Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
results, provided the printed document carries copying permission notice
identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph (this
paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
@end ignore
Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the
entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
permission notice identical to this one.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
except that this permission notice may be stated in a translation
approved by the Foundation.
@end ifinfo
@titlepage
@title Autoconf
@subtitle Creating Automatic Configuration Scripts
@subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, for Autoconf version @value{VERSION}
@subtitle @value{UPDATED}
@author by David MacKenzie and Ben Elliston
@c I think I've rewritten all of Noah and Roland's contributions by now.
@page
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
Copyright @copyright{} 1992, 93, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 2000 Free Software
Foundation, Inc.
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the
entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
permission notice identical to this one.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
except that this permission notice may be stated in a translation
approved by the Foundation.
@end titlepage
@c Define an environment variable index.
@defcodeindex ev
@c Define an output variable index.
@defcodeindex ov
@c Define a CPP variable index.
@defcodeindex cv
@c Define a macro index that @@defmac doesn't write to.
@defcodeindex ma
@node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
@comment node-name, next, previous, up
@ifinfo
This file documents the GNU Autoconf package for creating scripts to
configure source code packages using templates and an @code{m4} macro
package. This is edition @value{EDITION}, for Autoconf version
@value{VERSION}.
@end ifinfo
@c The master menu, created with texinfo-master-menu, goes here.
@menu
* Introduction:: Autoconf's purpose, strengths, and weaknesses
* Making configure Scripts:: How to organize and produce Autoconf scripts
* Setup:: Initialization and output
* Existing Tests:: Macros that check for particular features
* Writing Tests:: How to write new feature checks
* Results:: What to do with results from feature checks
* Writing Macros:: Adding new macros to Autoconf
* Manual Configuration:: Selecting features that can't be guessed
* Site Configuration:: Local defaults for @code{configure}
* Running configure scripts:: How to use the Autoconf output
* config.status Invocation:: Recreating a configuration
* Obsolete Constructs:: Kept for backward compatibility
* Questions:: Questions about Autoconf, with answers
* History:: History of Autoconf
* Environment Variable Index:: Index of environment variables used
* Output Variable Index:: Index of variables set in output files
* Preprocessor Symbol Index:: Index of C preprocessor symbols defined
* Macro Index:: Index of Autoconf macros
* Concept Index:: General index
@detailmenu --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
Making @code{configure} Scripts
* Writing configure.in:: What to put in an Autoconf input file
* autoscan Invocation:: Semi-automatic @file{configure.in} writing
* ifnames Invocation:: Listing the conditionals in source code
* autoconf Invocation:: How to create configuration scripts
* autoreconf Invocation:: Remaking multiple @code{configure} scripts
Writing @file{configure.in}
* Shell Script Compiler:: Autoconf as solution of a problem
* Autoconf Language:: Programming in Autoconf
* configure.in Layout:: Standard organization of configure.in
Initialization and Output Files
* Notices:: Copyright, version numbers in @code{configure}
* Input:: Where Autoconf should find files
* Output:: Outputting results from the configuration
* Configuration Actions:: Preparing the output based on results
* Configuration Files:: Creating output files
* Makefile Substitutions:: Using output variables in @file{Makefile}s
* Configuration Headers:: Creating a configuration header file
* Configuration Commands:: Running arbitrary instantiation commands
* Configuration Links:: Links depending from the configuration
* Subdirectories:: Configuring independent packages together
* Default Prefix:: Changing the default installation prefix
Substitutions in Makefiles
* Preset Output Variables:: Output variables that are always set
* Build Directories:: Supporting multiple concurrent compiles
* Automatic Remaking:: Makefile rules for configuring
Configuration Header Files
* Header Templates:: Input for the configuration headers
* autoheader Invocation:: How to create configuration templates
* Autoheader Macros:: How to specify CPP templates
Existing Tests
* Common Behavior:: Macros' standard schemes
* Alternative Programs:: Selecting between alternative programs
* Libraries:: Library archives that might be missing
* Library Functions:: C library functions that might be missing
* Header Files:: Header files that might be missing
* Declarations:: Declarations that may be missing
* Structures:: Structures or members that might be missing
* Types:: Types that might be missing
* Compilers and Preprocessors:: Checking for compiling programs
* C Compiler Characteristics::
* Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics::
* System Services:: Operating system services
* UNIX Variants:: Special kludges for specific UNIX variants
Common Behavior
* Standard Symbols:: Symbols defined by the macros
* Default Includes:: Includes used by the generic macros
Alternative Programs
* Particular Programs:: Special handling to find certain programs
* Generic Programs:: How to find other programs
Library Functions
* Particular Functions:: Special handling to find certain functions
* Generic Functions:: How to find other functions
Header Files
* Particular Headers:: Special handling to find certain headers
* Generic Headers:: How to find other headers
Declarations
* Particular Declarations:: Macros to check for certain declarations
* Generic Declarations:: How to find other declarations
Structures
* Particular Structures:: Macros to check for certain structure members
* Generic Structures:: How to find other structure members
Types
* Particular Types:: Special handling to find certain types
* Generic Types:: How to find other types
Writing Tests
* Examining Declarations:: Detecting header files and declarations
* Examining Syntax:: Detecting language syntax features
* Examining Libraries:: Detecting functions and global variables
* Run Time:: Testing for run-time features
* Portable Shell:: Shell script portability pitfalls
* Multiple Cases:: Tests for several possible values
* Language Choice:: Selecting which language to use for testing
Checking Run Time Behavior
* Test Programs:: Running test programs
* Guidelines:: General rules for writing test programs
* Test Functions:: Avoiding pitfalls in test programs
Portable Shell Programming
* Shellology:: A zoology of shells
* Special Shell Variables:: Variables you should not change
* Shell Substitutions:: Test and assign
* Limitations of Builtins:: Portable use of not so portable /bin/sh
* Limitations of Usual Tools:: Portable use of portable tools
Results of Tests
* Defining Symbols:: Defining C preprocessor symbols
* Setting Output Variables:: Replacing variables in output files
* Caching Results:: Speeding up subsequent @code{configure} runs
* Printing Messages:: Notifying @code{configure} users
Caching Results
* Cache Variable Names:: Shell variables used in caches
* Cache Files:: Files @code{configure} uses for caching
Writing Macros
* Macro Definitions:: Basic format of an Autoconf macro
* Macro Names:: What to call your new macros
* Quoting:: Protecting macros from unwanted expansion
* Reporting Messages:: Notifying @code{autoconf} users
* Dependencies Between Macros:: What to do when macros depend on other macros
Quoting
* Active Characters:: Characters that change the behavior of m4
* One Macro Call:: Quotation and one macro call
* Quotation and Nested Macros:: Macros calling macros
* Quotation Rule Of Thumb:: One parenthesis, one quote
Dependencies Between Macros
* Prerequisite Macros:: Ensuring required information
* Suggested Ordering:: Warning about possible ordering problems
* Obsoleting Macros:: Warning about old ways of doing things
Manual Configuration
* Specifying Names:: Specifying the system type
* Canonicalizing:: Getting the canonical system type
* System Type Variables:: Variables containing the system type
* Using System Type:: What to do with the system type
Site Configuration
* External Software:: Working with other optional software
* Package Options:: Selecting optional features
* Pretty Help Strings:: Formating help string
* Site Details:: Configuring site details
* Transforming Names:: Changing program names when installing
* Site Defaults:: Giving @code{configure} local defaults
Transforming Program Names When Installing
* Transformation Options:: @code{configure} options to transform names
* Transformation Examples:: Sample uses of transforming names
* Transformation Rules:: @file{Makefile} uses of transforming names
Running @code{configure} Scripts
* Basic Installation:: Instructions for typical cases
* Compilers and Options:: Selecting compilers and optimization
* Multiple Architectures:: Compiling for multiple architectures at once
* Installation Names:: Installing in different directories
* Optional Features:: Selecting optional features
* System Type:: Specifying the system type
* Sharing Defaults:: Setting site-wide defaults for @code{configure}
* Environment Variables:: Defining environment variables.
* configure Invocation:: Changing how @code{configure} runs
Obsolete Constructs
* Obsolete config.status Use:: Different calling convention
* acconfig.h:: Additional entries in @file{config.h.in}
* autoupdate Invocation:: Automatic update of @file{configure.in}
* Obsolete Macros:: Backward compatibility macros
* Autoconf 1:: Tips for upgrading your files
Upgrading From Version 1
* Changed File Names:: Files you might rename
* Changed Makefiles:: New things to put in @file{Makefile.in}
* Changed Macros:: Macro calls you might replace
* Changed Results:: Changes in how to check test results
* Changed Macro Writing:: Better ways to write your own macros
Questions About Autoconf
* Distributing:: Distributing @code{configure} scripts
* Why GNU m4:: Why not use the standard @code{m4}?
* Bootstrapping:: Autoconf and GNU @code{m4} require each other?
* Why Not Imake:: Why GNU uses @code{configure} instead of Imake
History of Autoconf
* Genesis:: Prehistory and naming of @code{configure}
* Exodus:: The plagues of @code{m4} and Perl
* Leviticus:: The priestly code of portability arrives
* Numbers:: Growth and contributors
* Deuteronomy:: Approaching the promises of easy configuration
@end detailmenu
@end menu
@c ============================================================= Introduction.
@node Introduction, Making configure Scripts, Top, Top
@chapter Introduction
@flushright
A physicist, an engineer, and a computer scientist were
discussing the nature of God. Surely a Physicist, said the
physicist, because early in the Creation, God made Light; and you
know, Maxwell's equations, the dual nature of electro-magnetic
waves, the relativist consequences@dots{} An Engineer!, said the
engineer, because before making Light, God split the Chaos into
Land and Water; it takes a hell of an engineer to handle that big
amount of mud, and orderly separation of solids from
liquids@dots{} The computer scientist shouted: And the Chaos,
where do you think it was coming from, hmm?
---Anonymous
@end flushright
@c (via Franc,ois Pinard)
Autoconf is a tool for producing shell scripts that automatically
configure software source code packages to adapt to many kinds of
@sc{unix}-like systems. The configuration scripts produced by Autoconf
are independent of Autoconf when they are run, so their users do not
need to have Autoconf.
The configuration scripts produced by Autoconf require no manual user
intervention when run; they do not normally even need an argument
specifying the system type. Instead, they test for the presence of each
feature that the software package they are for might need individually.
(Before each check, they print a one-line message stating what they are
checking for, so the user doesn't get too bored while waiting for the
script to finish.) As a result, they deal well with systems that are
hybrids or customized from the more common @sc{unix} variants. There is
no need to maintain files that list the features supported by each
release of each variant of @sc{unix}.
For each software package that Autoconf is used with, it creates a
configuration script from a template file that lists the system features
that the package needs or can use. After the shell code to recognize
and respond to a system feature has been written, Autoconf allows it to
be shared by many software packages that can use (or need) that feature.
If it later turns out that the shell code needs adjustment for some
reason, it needs to be changed in only one place; all of the
configuration scripts can be regenerated automatically to take advantage
of the updated code.
The Metaconfig package is similar in purpose to Autoconf, but the
scripts it produces require manual user intervention, which is quite
inconvenient when configuring large source trees. Unlike Metaconfig
scripts, Autoconf scripts can support cross-compiling, if some care is
taken in writing them.
@c FIXME: Tom, your cue is here.
There are several jobs related to making portable software packages that
Autoconf currently does not do. Among these are automatically creating
@file{Makefile} files with all of the standard targets, and supplying
replacements for standard library functions and header files on systems
that lack them. Work is in progress to add those features in the
future.
Autoconf imposes some restrictions on the names of macros used with
@code{#if} in C programs (@pxref{Preprocessor Symbol Index}).
Autoconf requires @sc{gnu} @code{m4} in order to generate the scripts.
It uses features that some @sc{unix} versions of @code{m4} do not have,
including @sc{gnu} @code{m4} 1.3. You must use version 1.4 or later of
@sc{gnu} @code{m4}.
@xref{Autoconf 1}, for information about upgrading from version 1.
@xref{History}, for the story of Autoconf's development.
@xref{Questions}, for answers to some common questions about Autoconf.
Mail suggestions and bug reports for Autoconf to
@code{autoconf@@gnu.org}. Please include the Autoconf version number,
which you can get by running @samp{autoconf --version}.
@c ================================================= Making configure Scripts.
@node Making configure Scripts, Setup, Introduction, Top
@chapter Making @code{configure} Scripts
@cindex @file{aclocal.m4}
@cindex @code{configure}
The configuration scripts that Autoconf produces are by convention
called @code{configure}. When run, @code{configure} creates several
files, replacing configuration parameters in them with appropriate
values. The files that @code{configure} creates are:
@itemize @bullet
@item
one or more @file{Makefile} files, one in each subdirectory of the
package (@pxref{Makefile Substitutions});
@item
optionally, a C header file, the name of which is configurable,
containing @code{#define} directives (@pxref{Configuration Headers});
@item
a shell script called @file{config.status} that, when run, will recreate
the files listed above (@pxref{config.status Invocation});
@item
an optional shell script normally called called @file{config.cache}
(created when using @samp{configure --cache-file=./config.cache}) that
saves the results of running many of the tests (@pxref{Cache Files});
@item
a file called @file{config.log} containing any messages produced by
compilers, to help debugging if @code{configure} makes a mistake.
@end itemize
To create a @code{configure} script with Autoconf, you need to write an
Autoconf input file @file{configure.in} and run @code{autoconf} on it.
If you write your own feature tests to supplement those that come with
Autoconf, you might also write files called @file{aclocal.m4} and
@file{acsite.m4}. If you use a C header file to contain @code{#define}
directives, you might also write @file{acconfig.h}, and you will
distribute the Autoconf-generated file @file{config.h.in} with the
package.
Here is a diagram showing how the files that can be used in
configuration are produced. Programs that are executed are suffixed by
@samp{*}. Optional files are enclosed in square brackets (@samp{[]}).
@code{autoconf} and @code{autoheader} also read the installed Autoconf
macro files (by reading @file{autoconf.m4}).
@noindent
Files used in preparing a software package for distribution:
@example
@group
your source files --> [autoscan*] --> [configure.scan] --> configure.in
configure.in --. .------> autoconf* -----> configure
+---+
[aclocal.m4] --+ `---.
[acsite.m4] ---' |
+--> [autoheader*] -> [config.h.in]
[acconfig.h] ----. |
+-----'
[config.h.top] --+
[config.h.bot] --'
Makefile.in -------------------------------> Makefile.in
@end group
@end example
@noindent
Files used in configuring a software package:
@example
@group
.-------------> [config.cache]
configure* ------------+-------------> config.log
|
[config.h.in] -. v .-> [config.h] -.
+--> config.status* -+ +--> make*
Makefile.in ---' `-> Makefile ---'
@end group
@end example
@menu
* Writing configure.in:: What to put in an Autoconf input file
* autoscan Invocation:: Semi-automatic @file{configure.in} writing
* ifnames Invocation:: Listing the conditionals in source code
* autoconf Invocation:: How to create configuration scripts
* autoreconf Invocation:: Remaking multiple @code{configure} scripts
@end menu
@node Writing configure.in, autoscan Invocation, Making configure Scripts, Making configure Scripts
@section Writing @file{configure.in}
To produce a @code{configure} script for a software package, create a
file called @file{configure.in} that contains invocations of the
Autoconf macros that test the system features your package needs or can
use. Autoconf macros already exist to check for many features; see
@ref{Existing Tests}, for their descriptions. For most other features,
you can use Autoconf template macros to produce custom checks; see
@ref{Writing Tests}, for information about them. For especially tricky
or specialized features, @file{configure.in} might need to contain some
hand-crafted shell commands. The @code{autoscan} program can give you a
good start in writing @file{configure.in} (@pxref{autoscan Invocation},
for more information).
@menu
* Shell Script Compiler:: Autoconf as solution of a problem
* Autoconf Language:: Programming in Autoconf
* configure.in Layout:: Standard organization of configure.in
@end menu
@node Shell Script Compiler, Autoconf Language, Writing configure.in, Writing configure.in
@subsection A Shell Script Compiler
Like for any other language, to properly program in Autoconf, i.e. the
language in which you write @file{configure.in}, you must understand
@emph{what} is the problem it tries to answer, and @emph{how} it does.
The problem Autoconf addresses is that the world is a mess: after all,
you are using Autoconf in order to have your package compile easily on
all sort of different systems, some of them being extremely hostile.
But Autoconf itself suffers from these differences: @code{configure}
must run on all those systems, hence, @code{configure} must use the
least common divisor between all supported system.
Naturally, you orient yourself towards shell scripts. And in fact,
there is not even the need for a tool like @code{autoconf}: a set of
properly written shell functions is way enough to make it easy to write
@code{configure} scripts by hand. Sigh! Unfortunately, shell functions
do not belong to the least common divisor, therefore, where you'd define
a function and use it ten times, you need to write ten times its body.
Therefore, what is really needed is some kind of compiler,
@code{autoconf}, which takes an Autoconf program, @file{configure.in},
and transform it in a portable shell script, @code{configure}.
How does @code{autoconf} perform this task?
Two obvious solutions: creating a brand new language, or extending an
existing one. The former option is very attractive: all sort of
optimizations could easily be implemented in the compiler, many rigorous
checks could be performed on the Autoconf program, and in particular, it
would be extremely easy to reject any non portable construct etc.
Alternatively, you can extend an existing language, of course, the
@code{sh} language.
Autoconf does the latter: it is an layer on top of @code{sh}. Quite
naturally then, it has been chosen to implement @code{autoconf} as a
macro expander, i.e., a program which takes a text in input and
repeatedly performs @dfn{macro expansions}, repeatedly replaces macro
uses with macro bodies. Instead of implementing a dedicated Autoconf
macro expander, it is natural to use an existing general purpose macro
expander, such as @code{m4}, and implement the extensions as a set of
@code{m4} macros.
@node Autoconf Language, configure.in Layout, Shell Script Compiler, Writing configure.in
@subsection The Autoconf Language
@cindex quotation
The Autoconf language is very different from usual languages because you
handle actual code just as plain text. Where in C for instance, data
and instructions have very different syntactic status, in Autoconf their
status is rigorously the same. Therefore we need a means to distinguish
literal strings from text to be expanded: quotation.
When calling macros that take arguments, there must not be any blank
space between the macro name and the open parenthesis. Arguments should
be enclosed within the @code{m4} quote characters @samp{[} and @samp{]},
and are separated by a comma. Any leading space in arguments are
ignored, unless they are quoted. You may safely leave out the quotes
when the argument is simple text, but @emph{always} quote complex
arguments such as other macro calls. This rule recursively applies for
each macro call, including macro called from other macros.
For instance:
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADER([stdio.h],
[AC_DEFINE([HAVE_STDIO_H])],
[AC_MSG_ERROR([Sorry, can't do anything for you])])
@end example
@noindent
is perfectly quoted. You may safely simplify quotation to
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADER(stdio.h,
[AC_DEFINE(HAVE_STDIO_H)],
[AC_MSG_ERROR([Sorry, can't do anything for you])])
@end example
@noindent
Notice that the argument of @code{AC_MSG_ERROR} is still quoted,
otherwise its comma would have been understood as an argument separator.
The following example is wrong and dangerous, as it is underquoted:
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADER(stdio.h,
AC_DEFINE(HAVE_STDIO_H),
AC_MSG_ERROR([Sorry, can't do anything for you]))
@end example
You may have to use text which also resembles a macro call. In this
case, you must quote this text at top level:
@example
echo "Hard rock was here! --[AC_DC]"
@end example
@noindent
which will result in
@example
echo "Hard rock was here! --AC_DC"
@end example
@noindent
in @code{configure}. Since there is an additional quoting level for each
macro invocation, this results in @emph{double quoting all the literal
strings}:
@example
AC_MSG_WARN([[AC_DC stinks --Iron Maiden]])
@end example
You are now able to understand one of the constructs of Autoconf which
has continuously been misunderstood... The rule of thumb is that
@emph{whenever you expect macro expansion, expect quote expansion},
i.e., expect one level of quotes to be lost. For instance
@example
AC_COMPILE_IFELSE([char b[10];],, (exit 1); exit)
@end example
@noindent
is incorrect: here the first argument of @code{AC_COMPILE_IFELSE}, is
@samp{char b[10];}, and it will be expanded once, which results in
@samp{char b10;}. There was a idiom developed in the Autoconf world to
address this issue, based on the @code{m4} @code{changequote} primitive,
but do not use it! Let's take a closer look: the author meant the first
argument to be understood as a literal, and therefore it must be quoted
twice:
@example
AC_COMPILE_IFELSE([[char b[10];]],, (exit 1); exit)
@end example
@noindent
and voil@`a! You really produced @samp{char b[10];}.
The careful reader will note that the so-called perfectly quoted
@code{AC_CHECK_HEADER} example above is actually lacking three pairs of
quotes! Nevertheless, for sake of readability, double quotation of
literals is used only where needed.
Some macros take optional arguments, which this documentation represents
@ovar{arg} (not to be confounded with the quote characters). You may
just leave them empty, or use @samp{[]} to make explicit the emptiness
of the argument. Finally you may simply leave out the trailing commas.
The three lines below are equivalent:
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADERS(stdio.h, [], [])
AC_CHECK_HEADERS(stdio.h,,)
AC_CHECK_HEADERS(stdio.h)
@end example
It is best to put each macro call on its own line in
@file{configure.in}. Most of the macros don't add extra newlines; they
rely on the newline after the macro call to terminate the commands.
This approach makes the generated @code{configure} script a little
easier to read by not inserting lots of blank lines. It is generally
safe to set shell variables on the same line as a macro call, because
the shell allows assignments without intervening newlines.
You can include comments in @file{configure.in} files by starting them
with the @samp{#}. For example, it is helpful to begin
@file{configure.in} files with a line like this:
@example
# Process this file with autoconf to produce a configure script.
@end example
@node configure.in Layout, , Autoconf Language, Writing configure.in
@subsection Standard @file{configure.in} Layout
The order in which @file{configure.in} calls the Autoconf macros is not
important, with a few exceptions. Every @file{configure.in} must
contain a call to @code{AC_INIT} before the checks, and a call to
@code{AC_OUTPUT} at the end (@pxref{Output}). Additionally, some macros
rely on other macros having been called first, because they check
previously set values of some variables to decide what to do. These
macros are noted in the individual descriptions (@pxref{Existing
Tests}), and they also warn you when creating @code{configure} if they
are called out of order.
To encourage consistency, here is a suggested order for calling the
Autoconf macros. Generally speaking, the things near the end of this
list could depend on things earlier in it. For example, library
functions could be affected by types and libraries.
@display
@group
Autoconf requirements
@code{AC_INIT(@var{package}, @var{version}, @var{bug-report-address})}
information on the package
checks for programs
checks for libraries
checks for header files
checks for types
checks for structures
checks for compiler characteristics
checks for library functions
checks for system services
@code{AC_CONFIG_FILES(@r{[}@var{file@dots{}}@r{]})}
@code{AC_OUTPUT}
@end group
@end display
@node autoscan Invocation, ifnames Invocation, Writing configure.in, Making configure Scripts
@section Using @code{autoscan} to Create @file{configure.in}
@cindex @code{autoscan}
The @code{autoscan} program can help you create a @file{configure.in}
file for a software package. @code{autoscan} examines source files in
the directory tree rooted at a directory given as a command line
argument, or the current directory if none is given. It searches the
source files for common portability problems and creates a file
@file{configure.scan} which is a preliminary @file{configure.in} for
that package.
You should manually examine @file{configure.scan} before renaming it to
@file{configure.in}; it will probably need some adjustments.
Occasionally @code{autoscan} outputs a macro in the wrong order relative
to another macro, so that @code{autoconf} produces a warning; you need
to move such macros manually. Also, if you want the package to use a
configuration header file, you must add a call to
@code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS} (@pxref{Configuration Headers}). You might also
have to change or add some @code{#if} directives to your program in
order to make it work with Autoconf (@pxref{ifnames Invocation}, for
information about a program that can help with that job).
@code{autoscan} uses several data files, which are installed along with the
distributed Autoconf macro files, to determine which macros to output
when it finds particular symbols in a package's source files. These
files all have the same format. Each line consists of a symbol,
whitespace, and the Autoconf macro to output if that symbol is
encountered. Lines starting with @samp{#} are comments.
@code{autoscan} is only installed if you already have Perl installed.
@code{autoscan} accepts the following options:
@table @code
@item --help
Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
@item --macrodir=@var{dir}
@evindex AC_MACRODIR
Look for the data files in directory @var{dir} instead of the default
installation directory. You can also set the @code{AC_MACRODIR}
environment variable to a directory; this option overrides the
environment variable.
@item --verbose
Print the names of the files it examines and the potentially interesting
symbols it finds in them. This output can be voluminous.
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@end table
@node ifnames Invocation, autoconf Invocation, autoscan Invocation, Making configure Scripts
@section Using @code{ifnames} to List Conditionals
@cindex @code{ifnames}
@code{ifnames} can help when writing a @file{configure.in} for a
software package. It prints the identifiers that the package already
uses in C preprocessor conditionals. If a package has already been set
up to have some portability, this program can help you figure out what
its @code{configure} needs to check for. It may help fill in some gaps
in a @file{configure.in} generated by @code{autoscan} (@pxref{Invoking
autoscan}).
@code{ifnames} scans all of the C source files named on the command line
(or the standard input, if none are given) and writes to the standard
output a sorted list of all the identifiers that appear in those files
in @code{#if}, @code{#elif}, @code{#ifdef}, or @code{#ifndef}
directives. It prints each identifier on a line, followed by a
space-separated list of the files in which that identifier occurs.
@noindent
@code{ifnames} accepts the following options:
@table @code
@item --help
@itemx -h
Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@end table
@node autoconf Invocation, autoreconf Invocation, ifnames Invocation, Making configure Scripts
@section Using @code{autoconf} to Create @code{configure}
@cindex @code{autoconf}
To create @code{configure} from @file{configure.in}, run the
@code{autoconf} program with no arguments. @code{autoconf} processes
@file{configure.in} with the @code{m4} macro processor, using the
Autoconf macros. If you give @code{autoconf} an argument, it reads that
file instead of @file{configure.in} and writes the configuration script
to the standard output instead of to @code{configure}. If you give
@code{autoconf} the argument @samp{-}, it reads the standard input
instead of @file{configure.in} and writes the configuration script on
the standard output.
The Autoconf macros are defined in several files. Some of the files are
distributed with Autoconf; @code{autoconf} reads them first. Then it
looks for the optional file @file{acsite.m4} in the directory that
contains the distributed Autoconf macro files, and for the optional file
@file{aclocal.m4} in the current directory. Those files can contain
your site's or the package's own Autoconf macro definitions
(@pxref{Writing Macros}, for more information). If a macro is defined
in more than one of the files that @code{autoconf} reads, the last
definition it reads overrides the earlier ones.
@code{autoconf} accepts the following options:
@table @code
@item --help
@itemx -h
Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@item --verbose
@itemx -v
Report processing steps.
@item --debug
@itemx -d
Don't remove the temporary files.
@item --macrodir=@var{dir}
@itemx -m @var{dir}
@evindex AC_MACRODIR
Look for the installed macro files in directory @var{dir}. You can also
set the @code{AC_MACRODIR} environment variable to a directory; this
option overrides the environment variable.
@item --localdir=@var{dir}
@itemx -l @var{dir}
Look for the package file @file{aclocal.m4} in directory @var{dir}
instead of in the current directory.
@item --output=@var{file}
@itemx -o @var{file}
Save output (script or trace) to @var{file}. The file @samp{-} stands
for the standard output.
@item --warnings=@var{category}
@itemx -W @var{category}
@evindex WARNINGS
Report the warnings related to @var{category} (which can actually be a
comma separated list). @xref{Reporting Messages}, macro
@code{AC_DIAGNOSE}, for a comprehensive list of categories. The special
category @samp{all} will report all the warnings, and @samp{error}
treats warnings as errors.
The soon-do-be-standard environment variable @code{WARNINGS} is
supported: it consists in a comma separated list of categories. It is
honored iff @samp{--warnings} was not used.
@item --trace=@var{macro}[:@var{format}]
@itemx -t @var{macro}[:@var{format}]
Do not create the @code{configure} script, but list the calls to
@var{macro} according to the @var{format}. Multiple @samp{--trace} list
several macros. Multiple @samp{--trace} for a single macro do not
accumulate, nevertheless, @var{format} can be arbitrarily long.
The @var{format} is a regular string, with new lines if wanted. It
defaults to @samp{$f:$l:$n:$%}, see below for details on the
@var{format}.
@item --initialization
@itemx -i
By default @samp{--trace} does not trace the initialization of the
Autoconf macros (typically the @code{AC_DEFUN} definitions). This
results in a noticeable speedup, but can be disabled by this option.
@end table
It is often needed to check the content of a @file{configure.in} file,
but it is extremely fragile and error prone to try to parse it. It is
suggested to rely upon @samp{--trace} to scan @file{configure.in}.
The @var{format} of @samp{--trace} can use the following special
escapes:
@table @samp
@item $$
The character @samp{$}.
@item $f
The filename from where @var{macro} is called.
@item $l
The line number from where @var{macro} is called.
@item $d
The depth of the @var{macro} call. This is an @code{m4} technical
details which you probably don't want to know about.
@item $n
The name of the @var{macro}.
@item $@var{num}
The @var{num}th argument of the call to @var{macro}.
@item $@@
@itemx $@var{sep}@@
@itemx $@{@var{separator}@}@@
All the arguments given to the @var{macro} separated by the character
@var{sep} or the string @var{separator}, @samp{,} by default. Each
argument is quoted, i.e. enclosed in a pair of square bracket.
@item $*
@itemx $@var{sep}*
@itemx $@{@var{separator}@}*
As above, but the arguments are not quoted.
@item $%
@itemx $@var{sep}%
@itemx $@{@var{separator}@}%
As above, but the arguments are not quoted, all new line characters in
the arguments are smashed, and the default separator is @samp{:}.
The escape @samp{$%} produces traces that hold in a single line (unless
you put new lines in the @samp{separator}), while @samp{$@@} and
@samp{$*} do not.
@end table
For instance, to know the list of variables which are substituted:
@example
@group
% autoconf -t AC_SUBST
configure.in:2:AC_SUBST:ECHO_C
configure.in:2:AC_SUBST:ECHO_N
configure.in:2:AC_SUBST:ECHO_T
@i{More traces deleted}
@end group
@end example
@noindent
The example below highlights the difference between @samp{$@@},
@samp{$*}, and @strong{$%}.
@example
@group
% cat configure.in
AC_DEFINE(This, is, [an
[example]])
% autoconf -t 'AC_DEFINE:@: $@
*: $*
%: $%'
@@: [This],[is],[an
[example]]
*: This,is,an
[example]
%: This:is:an [example]
@end group
@end example
@noindent
Much freedom is given over the @var{format}:
@example
@group
% autoconf -t 'AC_SUBST:ac_subst@{"$1"@} = "$f:$l";'
ac_subst@{"ECHO_C"@} = "configure.in:2";
ac_subst@{"ECHO_N"@} = "configure.in:2";
ac_subst@{"ECHO_T"@} = "configure.in:2";
@i{More traces deleted}
@end group
@end example
@noindent
The long @var{separator}s can be used to ease parsing of complex
structures:
@example
@group
% autoconf -t 'AM_MISSING_PROG:$@{|:::::|@}*'
ACLOCAL|:::::|aclocal|:::::|$missing_dir
AUTOCONF|:::::|autoconf|:::::|$missing_dir
AUTOMAKE|:::::|automake|:::::|$missing_dir
@i{More traces deleted}
@end group
@end example
@node autoreconf Invocation, , autoconf Invocation, Making configure Scripts
@section Using @code{autoreconf} to Update @code{configure} Scripts
@cindex @code{autoreconf}
If you have a lot of Autoconf-generated @code{configure} scripts, the
@code{autoreconf} program can save you some work. It runs
@code{autoconf} (and @code{autoheader}, where appropriate) repeatedly to
remake the Autoconf @code{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
@file{configure.in} or (if present) @file{aclocal.m4}. Since
@code{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
@code{autoreconf} remake @emph{all} of the files by giving it the
@samp{--force} option.
If you give @code{autoreconf} the @samp{--macrodir=@var{dir}} or
@samp{--localdir=@var{dir}} options, it passes them down to
@code{autoconf} and @code{autoheader} (with relative paths adjusted
properly).
@code{autoreconf} does not support having, in the same directory tree,
both directories that are parts of a larger package (sharing
@file{aclocal.m4} and @file{acconfig.h}), and directories that are
independent packages (each with their own @file{aclocal.m4} and
@file{acconfig.h}). It assumes that they are all part of the same
package, if you use @samp{--localdir}, or that each directory is a
separate package, if you don't use it. This restriction may be removed
in the future.
@xref{Automatic Remaking}, for @file{Makefile} rules to automatically
remake @code{configure} scripts when their source files change. That
method handles the timestamps of configuration header templates
properly, but does not pass @samp{--macrodir=@var{dir}} or
@samp{--localdir=@var{dir}}.
@noindent
@code{autoreconf} accepts the following options:
@table @code
@item --help
@itemx -h
Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
@item --force
@itemx -f
Remake even @file{configure} scripts and configuration headers that are
newer than their input files (@file{configure.in} and, if present,
@file{aclocal.m4}).
@item --localdir=@var{dir}
@itemx -l @var{dir}
Have @code{autoconf} and @code{autoheader} look for the package files
@file{aclocal.m4} and (@code{autoheader} only) @file{acconfig.h} (but
not @file{@var{file}.top} and @file{@var{file}.bot}) in directory
@var{dir} instead of in the directory containing each @file{configure.in}.
@item --macrodir=@var{dir}
@itemx -m @var{dir}
@evindex AC_MACRODIR
Look for the Autoconf macro files in directory @var{dir} instead of the
default installation directory. You can also set the @code{AC_MACRODIR}
environment variable to a directory; this option overrides the
environment variable.
@item --verbose
Print the name of each directory where @code{autoreconf} runs
@code{autoconf} (and @code{autoheader}, if appropriate).
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@end table
@c ========================================= Initialization and Output Files.
@node Setup, Existing Tests, Making configure Scripts, Top
@chapter Initialization and Output Files
Autoconf-generated @code{configure} scripts need some information about
how to initialize, such as how to find the package's source files; and
about the output files to produce. The following sections describe
initialization and creating output files.
@menu
* Notices:: Copyright, version numbers in @code{configure}
* Input:: Where Autoconf should find files
* Output:: Outputting results from the configuration
* Configuration Actions:: Preparing the output based on results
* Configuration Files:: Creating output files
* Makefile Substitutions:: Using output variables in @file{Makefile}s
* Configuration Headers:: Creating a configuration header file
* Configuration Commands:: Running arbitrary instantiation commands
* Configuration Links:: Links depending from the configuration
* Subdirectories:: Configuring independent packages together
* Default Prefix:: Changing the default installation prefix
@end menu
@node Notices, Input, Setup, Setup
@section Notices in @code{configure}
The following macros manage version numbers for @code{configure}
scripts. Using them is optional.
@c FIXME: AC_PREREQ should not be here, but where should it go?
@defmac AC_PREREQ (@var{version})
@maindex PREREQ
@cindex Version
Ensure that a recent enough version of Autoconf is being used. If the
version of Autoconf being used to create @code{configure} is earlier
than @var{version}, print an error message on the standard error output
and do not create @code{configure}. For example:
@example
AC_PREREQ(@value{VERSION})
@end example
This macro is the only macro which might be used before @code{AC_INIT}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_COPYRIGHT(@var{copyright-notice})
@maindex COPYRIGHT
@cindex Copyright Notice
State that in addition to the Free Software Foundation's copyright over
the Autoconf macros, parts of your @code{configure} are covered by the
@var{copyright-notice}.
The @var{copyright-notice} will show up in both the head of
@code{configure}, and in @samp{configure --version}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_REVISION (@var{revision-info})
@maindex REVISION
@cindex Revision
Copy revision stamp @var{revision-info} into the @code{configure}
script, with any dollar signs or double-quotes removed. This macro lets
you put a revision stamp from @file{configure.in} into @code{configure}
without RCS or CVS changing it when you check in @code{configure}. That
way, you can determine easily which revision of @file{configure.in} a
particular @code{configure} corresponds to.
For example, this line in @file{configure.in}:
@c The asis prevents RCS from changing the example in the manual.
@example
AC_REVISION($@asis{Revision: 1.30 }$)
@end example
@noindent
produces this in @code{configure}:
@example
#! /bin/sh
# From configure.in Revision: 1.30
@end example
@end defmac
@node Input, Output, Notices, Setup
@section Finding @code{configure} Input
Every @code{configure} script must call @code{AC_INIT} before doing
anything else. The only other required macro is @code{AC_OUTPUT}
(@pxref{Output}).
@defmac AC_INIT (@var{package}, @var{version}, @ovar{bug-report-address})
@maindex INIT
Process any command-line arguments and perform various initializations
and verifications. Set the name of the @var{package} and its
@var{version}. The optional argument @var{bug-report-address} should be
the email to which users should send bug reports.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR (@var{unique-file-in-source-dir})
@maindex CONFIG_SRCDIR
@var{unique-file-in-source-dir} is some file that is in the package's
source directory; @code{configure} checks for this file's existence to
make sure that the directory that it is told contains the source code in
fact does. Occasionally people accidentally specify the wrong directory
with @samp{--srcdir}; this is a safety check. @xref{Invoking
configure}, for more information.
@end defmac
@c FIXME: Remove definitively once --install explained.
@c
@c Small packages may store all their macros in @code{aclocal.m4}. As the
@c set of macros grows, or for maintenance reasons, a maintainer may prefer
@c to split the macros in several files. In this case, Autoconf must be
@c told which files to load, and in which order.
@c
@c @defmac AC_INCLUDE (@var{file}...)
@c @maindex INCLUDE
@c @c FIXME: There is no longer shell globbing.
@c Read the macro definitions that appear in the listed files. A list of
@c space-separated filenames or shell globbing patterns is expected. The
@c files will be read in the order they're listed.
@c
@c Because the order of definition of macros is important (only the last
@c definition of a macro is used), beware that it is @code{AC_INIT} that
@c loads @file{acsite.m4} and @file{aclocal.m4}. Note that
@c @code{AC_INCLUDE}ing a file before @code{AC_INIT} or within
@c @file{aclocal.m4} is different from doing so after @code{AC_INIT}: in
@c the latter case, non-macro lines from included files may end up in the
@c @file{configure} script, whereas in the former case, they'd be discarded
@c just like any text that appear before @code{AC_INIT}.
@c @end defmac
Packages that do manual configuration or use the @code{install} program
might need to tell @code{configure} where to find some other shell
scripts by calling @code{AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR}, though the default places
it looks are correct for most cases.
@defmac AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR (@var{dir})
@maindex CONFIG_AUX_DIR
Use the @file{install-sh}, @file{config.sub}, @file{config.guess}, and
Cygnus @code{configure} scripts that are in directory @var{dir}. These
are auxiliary files used in configuration. @var{dir} can be either
absolute or relative to @file{@var{srcdir}}. The default is
@file{@var{srcdir}} or @file{@var{srcdir}/..} or
@file{@var{srcdir}/../..}, whichever is the first that contains
@file{install-sh}. The other files are not checked for, so that using
@code{AC_PROG_INSTALL} does not automatically require distributing the
other auxiliary files. It checks for @file{install.sh} also, but that
name is obsolete because some @code{make} programs have a rule that
creates @file{install} from it if there is no @file{Makefile}.
@end defmac
@node Output, Configuration Actions, Input, Setup
@section Outputting Files
Every Autoconf-generated @code{configure} script must finish by calling
@code{AC_OUTPUT}. It is the macro that generates @file{config.status}
which will create the @file{Makefile}s and optional other files
resulting from configuration. The only other required macro is
@code{AC_INIT} (@pxref{Input}).
Because of history, this macro is described twice below. The first
definition describes the use which is now recommended. The second
describes the former use, and its modern equivalent.
@defmac AC_OUTPUT
@maindex OUTPUT
@cindex Instantiation
Generate @file{config.status} and launch it. Call this macro once, at
the end of @file{configure.in}.
@file{config.status} will take all the configuration actions: all the
output files (see @ref{Configuration Files}, macro
@code{AC_CONFIG_FILES}), header files (see @ref{Configuration Headers},
macro @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS}), commands (see @ref{Configuration
Commands}, macro @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS}), links (see
@ref{Configuration Links}, macro @code{AC_CONFIG_LINKS}), subdirectories
to configure (see @ref{Subdirectories}, macro @code{AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS})
are honored.
@end defmac
@xref{Obsolete Macros}, for a description of the arguments @code{AC_OUTPUT}
used to support.
If you run @code{make} on subdirectories, you should run it using the
@code{make} variable @code{MAKE}. Most versions of @code{make} set
@code{MAKE} to the name of the @code{make} program plus any options it
was given. (But many do not include in it the values of any variables
set on the command line, so those are not passed on automatically.)
Some old versions of @code{make} do not set this variable. The
following macro allows you to use it even with those versions.
@defmac AC_PROG_MAKE_SET
@maindex PROG_MAKE_SET
@ovindex SET_MAKE
If @code{make} predefines the variable @code{MAKE}, define output
variable @code{SET_MAKE} to be empty. Otherwise, define @code{SET_MAKE}
to contain @samp{MAKE=make}. Calls @code{AC_SUBST} for @code{SET_MAKE}.
@end defmac
To use this macro, place a line like this in each @file{Makefile.in}
that runs @code{MAKE} on other directories:
@example
@@SET_MAKE@@
@end example
@node Configuration Actions, Configuration Files, Output, Setup
@section Taking Configuration Actions
While everything is made so that you imagine @file{configure} does
everything by itself, there is actually a hidden slave:
@file{config.status}. @file{configure} is in charge of examining your
system, but it is @file{config.status} that actually takes the proper
actions based on the results of @file{configure}. The most typical task
of @file{config.status} is to @emph{instantiate} files.
This section describes the common behavior of the four standard
instantiating macros: @code{AC_CONFIG_FILES}, @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS},
macro @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS}, and @code{AC_CONFIG_LINKS}. They all
have this prototype:
@example
AC_CONFIG_FOOS(@var{tag}..., @ovar{commands}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@end example
@noindent
where the arguments are:
@table @var
@item @var{tag}@dots{}
A whitespace-separated list of tags, which are typically the names of
the files to instantiate.
@item cmds
They are output into @file{config.status} as are. These commands are
always associated to a tag which the user can use to tell
@file{config.status} what are the commands she wants to run. These
commands are run each time a @var{tag} request is given to
@file{config.status}, i.e., typically each time the file
@file{@var{tag}} is created.
@item init-cmds
They are output via an @emph{unquoted} here-doc. As a consequence
@samp{$var} will be output as the value of @var{var}. This is typically
used by @file{configure} to give @file{config,.status} some variables it
needs to run the @var{cmds}. At the difference of @var{cmds}, the
@var{init-cmds} are always run.
@end table
All these macros can be called multiple times, with different
@var{tag}s, of course!
@node Configuration Files, Makefile Substitutions, Configuration Actions, Setup
@section Creating Configuration Files
@defmac AC_CONFIG_FILES (@var{file}@dots{}, @ovar{cmds}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@maindex CONFIG_FILES
@c FIXME: The doc does say that the parents are not created (mkdir -p)
@c Once this `bug' is fixed, remove the limitation.
This macro creates each file @file{@var{file}} by copying an input file
(by default named @file{@var{file}.in}), substituting the output
variable values.
@c FIXME: Before we used to have this feature, which was later rejected
@c because it complicates the write of Makefiles:
@c If the file would be unchanged, it is left untouched, to preserve
@c timestamp.
@xref{Makefile Substitutions}, for more information on using output
variables. @xref{Setting Output Variables}, for more information on
creating them. This macro creates the directory that the file is in if
it doesn't exist (but not the parents of that directory). Usually,
@file{Makefile}s are created this way, but other files, such as
@file{.gdbinit}, can be specified as well.
Typical calls to @code{AC_CONFIG_FILES} looks like this:
@example
AC_CONFIG_FILES(Makefile src/Makefile man/Makefile X/Imakefile)
AC_CONFIG_FILES(autoconf, chmod +x autoconf)
@end example
You can override an input file name by appending to @var{file} a
colon-separated list of input files. Examples:
@example
AC_CONFIG_FILES(Makefile:boiler/top.mk:boiler/bot.mk
lib/Makefile:boiler/lib.mk)
@end example
Doing this allows you to keep your file names acceptable to MS-DOS, or
to prepend and/or append boilerplate to the file.
@end defmac
@node Makefile Substitutions, Configuration Headers, Configuration Files, Setup
@section Substitutions in Makefiles
Each subdirectory in a distribution that contains something to be
compiled or installed should come with a file @file{Makefile.in}, from
which @code{configure} will create a @file{Makefile} in that directory.
To create a @file{Makefile}, @code{configure} performs a simple variable
substitution, replacing occurrences of @samp{@@@var{variable}@@} in
@file{Makefile.in} with the value that @code{configure} has determined
for that variable. Variables that are substituted into output files in
this way are called @dfn{output variables}. They are ordinary shell
variables that are set in @code{configure}. To make @code{configure}
substitute a particular variable into the output files, the macro
@code{AC_SUBST} must be called with that variable name as an argument.
Any occurrences of @samp{@@@var{variable}@@} for other variables are
left unchanged. @xref{Setting Output Variables}, for more information
on creating output variables with @code{AC_SUBST}.
A software package that uses a @code{configure} script should be
distributed with a file @file{Makefile.in}, but no @file{Makefile}; that
way, the user has to properly configure the package for the local system
before compiling it.
@xref{Makefile Conventions,, Makefile Conventions, standards, The
GNU Coding Standards}, for more information on what to put in
@file{Makefile}s.
@menu
* Preset Output Variables:: Output variables that are always set
* Build Directories:: Supporting multiple concurrent compiles
* Automatic Remaking:: Makefile rules for configuring
@end menu
@node Preset Output Variables, Build Directories, Makefile Substitutions, Makefile Substitutions
@subsection Preset Output Variables
Some output variables are preset by the Autoconf macros. Some of the
Autoconf macros set additional output variables, which are mentioned in
the descriptions for those macros. @xref{Output Variable Index}, for a
complete list of output variables. Here is what each of the preset ones
contains. @xref{Directory Variables,, Variables for Installation
Directories, standards, The GNU Coding Standards}, for more information
about the variables with names that end in @samp{dir}.
@defvar bindir
@ovindex bindir
The directory for installing executables that users run.
@end defvar
@defvar configure_input
@ovindex configure_input
A comment saying that the file was generated automatically by
@code{configure} and giving the name of the input file.
@code{AC_OUTPUT} adds a comment line containing this variable to the top
of every @file{Makefile} it creates. For other files, you should
reference this variable in a comment at the top of each input file. For
example, an input shell script should begin like this:
@example
#! /bin/sh
# @@configure_input@@
@end example
@noindent
The presence of that line also reminds people editing the file that it
needs to be processed by @code{configure} in order to be used.
@end defvar
@defvar datadir
@ovindex datadir
The directory for installing read-only architecture-independent data.
@end defvar
@defvar exec_prefix
@ovindex exec_prefix
The installation prefix for architecture-dependent files.
@end defvar
@defvar includedir
@ovindex includedir
The directory for installing C header files.
@end defvar
@defvar infodir
@ovindex infodir
The directory for installing documentation in Info format.
@end defvar
@defvar libdir
@ovindex libdir
The directory for installing object code libraries.
@end defvar
@defvar libexecdir
@ovindex libexecdir
The directory for installing executables that other programs run.
@end defvar
@defvar localstatedir
@ovindex localstatedir
The directory for installing modifiable single-machine data.
@end defvar
@defvar mandir
@ovindex mandir
The top-level directory for installing documentation in man format.
@end defvar
@defvar oldincludedir
@ovindex oldincludedir
The directory for installing C header files for non-gcc compilers.
@end defvar
@defvar prefix
@ovindex prefix
The installation prefix for architecture-independent files.
@end defvar
@defvar sbindir
@ovindex sbindir
The directory for installing executables that system
administrators run.
@end defvar
@defvar sharedstatedir
@ovindex sharedstatedir
The directory for installing modifiable architecture-independent data.
@end defvar
@defvar srcdir
@ovindex srcdir
The directory that contains the source code for that @file{Makefile}.
@end defvar
@defvar sysconfdir
@ovindex sysconfdir
The directory for installing read-only single-machine data.
@end defvar
@defvar top_srcdir
@ovindex top_srcdir
The top-level source code directory for the package. In the top-level
directory, this is the same as @code{srcdir}.
@end defvar
@defvar CFLAGS
@ovindex CFLAGS
Debugging and optimization options for the C compiler. If it is not set
in the environment when @code{configure} runs, the default value is set
when you call @code{AC_PROG_CC} (or empty if you don't). @code{configure}
uses this variable when compiling programs to test for C features.
@end defvar
@defvar CPPFLAGS
@ovindex CPPFLAGS
Header file search directory (@samp{-I@var{dir}}) and any other
miscellaneous options for the C and C++ preprocessors and compilers. If
it is not set in the environment when @code{configure} runs, the default
value is empty. @code{configure} uses this variable when compiling or
preprocessing programs to test for C features.
@end defvar
@defvar CXXFLAGS
@ovindex CXXFLAGS
Debugging and optimization options for the C++ compiler. If it is not
set in the environment when @code{configure} runs, the default value is
set when you call @code{AC_PROG_CXX} (or empty if you don't).
@code{configure} uses this variable when compiling programs to test for
C++ features.
@end defvar
@defvar ECHO_C
@defvarx ECHO_N
@defvarx ECHO_T
@ovindex ECHO_C
@ovindex ECHO_N
@ovindex ECHO_T
How to suppress the trailing newline from @code{echo} for
question... answer reports:
@example
echo $ECHO_N "And the winner is... $ECHO_C"
sleep 100000000000
echo "$@{ECHO_T@}dead."
@end example
@noindent
Some old and uncommon @code{echo} offer no means to achieve this, in
which case @code{ECHO_T} is set to tab. You might not want to use it.
@end defvar
@defvar FFLAGS
@ovindex FFLAGS
Debugging and optimization options for the Fortran 77 compiler. If it
is not set in the environment when @code{configure} runs, the default
value is set when you call @code{AC_PROG_F77} (or empty if you don't).
@code{configure} uses this variable when compiling programs to test for
Fortran 77 features.
@end defvar
@defvar DEFS
@ovindex DEFS
@samp{-D} options to pass to the C compiler. If @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS}
is called, @code{configure} replaces @samp{@@DEFS@@} with
@samp{-DHAVE_CONFIG_H} instead (@pxref{Configuration Headers}). This
variable is not defined while @code{configure} is performing its tests,
only when creating the output files. @xref{Setting Output Variables}, for
how to check the results of previous tests.
@end defvar
@defvar LDFLAGS
@ovindex LDFLAGS
Stripping (@samp{-s}), path (@samp{-L}), and any other miscellaneous
options for the linker. If it is not set in the environment when
@code{configure} runs, the default value is empty. @code{configure}
uses this variable when linking programs to test for C features.
@end defvar
@defvar LIBS
@ovindex LIBS
@samp{-l} options to pass to the linker.
@end defvar
@node Build Directories, Automatic Remaking, Preset Output Variables, Makefile Substitutions
@subsection Build Directories
You can support compiling a software package for several architectures
simultaneously from the same copy of the source code. The object files
for each architecture are kept in their own directory.
To support doing this, @code{make} uses the @code{VPATH} variable to
find the files that are in the source directory. @sc{gnu} @code{make}
and most other recent @code{make} programs can do this. Older
@code{make} programs do not support @code{VPATH}; when using them, the
source code must be in the same directory as the object files.
To support @code{VPATH}, each @file{Makefile.in} should contain two
lines that look like:
@example
srcdir = @@srcdir@@
VPATH = @@srcdir@@
@end example
Do not set @code{VPATH} to the value of another variable, for example
@samp{VPATH = $(srcdir)}, because some versions of @code{make} do not do
variable substitutions on the value of @code{VPATH}.
@code{configure} substitutes in the correct value for @code{srcdir} when
it produces @file{Makefile}.
Do not use the @code{make} variable @code{$<}, which expands to the
pathname of the file in the source directory (found with @code{VPATH}),
except in implicit rules. (An implicit rule is one such as @samp{.c.o},
which tells how to create a @file{.o} file from a @file{.c} file.) Some
versions of @code{make} do not set @code{$<} in explicit rules; they
expand it to an empty value.
Instead, @file{Makefile} command lines should always refer to source
files by prefixing them with @samp{$(srcdir)/}. For example:
@example
time.info: time.texinfo
$(MAKEINFO) $(srcdir)/time.texinfo
@end example
@node Automatic Remaking, , Build Directories, Makefile Substitutions
@subsection Automatic Remaking
You can put rules like the following in the top-level @file{Makefile.in}
for a package to automatically update the configuration information when
you change the configuration files. This example includes all of the
optional files, such as @file{aclocal.m4} and those related to
configuration header files. Omit from the @file{Makefile.in} rules any
of these files that your package does not use.
The @samp{$(srcdir)/} prefix is included because of limitations in the
@code{VPATH} mechanism.
The @file{stamp-} files are necessary because the timestamps of
@file{config.h.in} and @file{config.h} will not be changed if remaking
them does not change their contents. This feature avoids unnecessary
recompilation. You should include the file @file{stamp-h.in} your
package's distribution, so @code{make} will consider @file{config.h.in}
up to date. On some old @sc{bsd} systems, @code{touch} or any command
that results in an empty file does not update the timestamps, so use a
command like @code{echo} as a workaround.
@c Using @code{date} would cause needless CVS conflicts.
@example
@group
$(srcdir)/configure: configure.in aclocal.m4
cd $(srcdir) && autoconf
# autoheader might not change config.h.in, so touch a stamp file.
$(srcdir)/config.h.in: stamp-h.in
$(srcdir)/stamp-h.in: configure.in aclocal.m4 acconfig.h \
config.h.top config.h.bot
cd $(srcdir) && autoheader
echo timestamp > $(srcdir)/stamp-h.in
config.h: stamp-h
stamp-h: config.h.in config.status
./config.status
Makefile: Makefile.in config.status
./config.status
config.status: configure
./config.status --recheck
@end group
@end example
In addition, you should use @samp{AC_CONFIG_FILES(stamp-h, echo
timestamp > stamp-h)} so @file{config.status} will ensure that
@file{config.h} is considered up to date. @xref{Output}, for more
information about @code{AC_OUTPUT}.
@xref{config.status Invocation}, for more examples of handling
configuration-related dependencies.
@node Configuration Headers, Configuration Commands, Makefile Substitutions, Setup
@section Configuration Header Files
@cindex Configuration Header
@cindex @file{config.h}
When a package tests more than a few C preprocessor symbols, the command
lines to pass @samp{-D} options to the compiler can get quite long.
This causes two problems. One is that the @code{make} output is hard to
visually scan for errors. More seriously, the command lines can exceed
the length limits of some operating systems. As an alternative to
passing @samp{-D} options to the compiler, @code{configure} scripts can
create a C header file containing @samp{#define} directives. The
@code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS} macro selects this kind of output. It should
be called right after @code{AC_INIT}.
The package should @samp{#include} the configuration header file before
any other header files, to prevent inconsistencies in declarations (for
example, if it redefines @code{const}). Use @samp{#include <config.h>}
instead of @samp{#include "config.h"}, and pass the C compiler a
@samp{-I.} option (or @samp{-I..}; whichever directory contains
@file{config.h}). That way, even if the source directory is configured
itself (perhaps to make a distribution), other build directories can
also be configured without finding the @file{config.h} from the source
directory.
@defmac AC_CONFIG_HEADERS (@var{header} @dots{}, @ovar{cmds}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@maindex CONFIG_HEADER
@cvindex HAVE_CONFIG_H
Make @code{AC_OUTPUT} create the file(s) in the whitespace-separated
list @var{header} containing C preprocessor @code{#define} statements,
and replace @samp{@@DEFS@@} in generated files with
@samp{-DHAVE_CONFIG_H} instead of the value of @code{DEFS}. The usual
name for @var{header} is @file{config.h}.
If @var{header} already exists and its contents are identical to what
@code{AC_OUTPUT} would put in it, it is left alone. Doing this allows
some changes in configuration without needlessly causing object files
that depend on the header file to be recompiled.
Usually the input file is named @file{@var{header}.in}; however, you can
override the input file name by appending to @var{header}, a
colon-separated list of input files. Examples:
@example
AC_CONFIG_HEADERS(config.h:config.hin)
AC_CONFIG_HEADERS(defines.h:defs.pre:defines.h.in:defs.post)
@end example
@noindent
Doing this allows you to keep your file names acceptable to MS-DOS, or
to prepend and/or append boilerplate to the file.
@end defmac
@menu
* Header Templates:: Input for the configuration headers
* autoheader Invocation:: How to create configuration templates
* Autoheader Macros:: How to specify CPP templates
@end menu
@node Header Templates, autoheader Invocation, Configuration Headers, Configuration Headers
@subsection Configuration Header Templates
@cindex Configuration Header Template
@cindex @file{config.h.in}
Your distribution should contain a template file that looks as you want
the final header file to look, including comments, with @code{#undef}
statements which are used as hooks. For example, suppose your
@file{configure.in} makes these calls:
@example
AC_CONFIG_HEADERS(conf.h)
AC_CHECK_HEADERS(unistd.h)
@end example
@noindent
Then you could have code like the following in @file{conf.h.in}. On
systems that have @file{unistd.h}, @code{configure} will @samp{#define}
@samp{HAVE_UNISTD_H} to 1. On other systems, the whole line will be
commented out (in case the system predefines that symbol).
@example
@group
/* Define as 1 if you have unistd.h. */
#undef HAVE_UNISTD_H
@end group
@end example
You can then decode the configuration header using the preprocessor
directives:
@example
@group
#include <conf.h>
#if HAVE_UNISTD_H
# include <unistd.h>
#else
/* We are in trouble. */
#endif
@end group
@end example
The use of old form templates, with @samp{#define} instead of
@samp{#undef} is strongly discouraged.
Since it is a tedious task to keep a template header up to date, you may
use @code{autoheader} to generate it, see @ref{autoheader Invocation}.
@node autoheader Invocation, Autoheader Macros, Header Templates, Configuration Headers
@subsection Using @code{autoheader} to Create @file{config.h.in}
@cindex @code{autoheader}
The @code{autoheader} program can create a template file of C
@samp{#define} statements for @code{configure} to use. If
@file{configure.in} invokes @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS(@var{file})},
@code{autoheader} creates @file{@var{file}.in}; if multiple file
arguments are given, the first one is used. Otherwise,
@code{autoheader} creates @file{config.h.in}.
If you give @code{autoheader} an argument, it uses that file instead of
@file{configure.in} and writes the header file to the standard output
instead of to @file{config.h.in}. If you give @code{autoheader} an
argument of @samp{-}, it reads the standard input instead of
@file{configure.in} and writes the header file to the standard output.
@code{autoheader} accepts the following options:
@table @code
@item --help
@itemx -h
Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@item --debug
@itemx -d
Don't remove the temporary files.
@item --macrodir=@var{dir}
@itemx -m @var{dir}
@evindex AC_MACRODIR
Look for the installed macro files and @file{acconfig.h} in directory
@var{dir}. You can also set the @code{AC_MACRODIR} environment variable
to a directory; this option overrides the environment variable.
@item --localdir=@var{dir}
@itemx -l @var{dir}
Look for the package files @file{aclocal.m4} and @file{acconfig.h} (but
not @file{@var{file}.top} and @file{@var{file}.bot}) in directory
@var{dir} instead of in the current directory.
@item --warnings=@var{category}
@itemx -W @var{category}
@evindex WARNINGS
Report the warnings related to @var{category} (which can actually be a
comma separated list). Current categories include:
@table @samp
@item @samp{obsolete}
report the uses of obsolete constructs
@item @samp{all}
report all the warnings
@item @samp{error}
treats warnings as errors
@end table
The soon-do-be-standard environment variable @code{WARNINGS} is
supported: it consists in a comma separated list of categories. It is
honored iff @samp{--warnings} was not used.
@end table
@node Autoheader Macros, , autoheader Invocation, Configuration Headers
@subsection Autoheader Macros
@code{autoheader} scans @file{configure.in} and figures out which C
preprocessor symbols it might define. It knows how to generate
templates for symbols defined by @code{AC_CHECK_HEADERS},
@code{AC_CHECK_FUNCS} etc., but if you @code{AC_DEFINE} any additional
symbol, you must define a template for it. @code{autoheader} diagnoses
missing templates, and fails.
The simplest means to create a template for a @var{symbol} is simply to
document one of the @samp{AC_DEFINE(@var{symbol})}, see @ref{Defining
Symbols}. You may also use one of the following macros.
@defmac AH_VERBATIM (@var{key}, @var{template})
@maindex AH_VERBATIM
@maindex VERBATIM
Inform @code{autoheader} that it must include the @var{template} as is
in the header template file. This @var{template} is associated to the
@var{key}, which is used to sort all the different templates, and
guarantee their uniqueness. It should be the symbol which can be
@code{AC_DEFINE}'d.
For instance:
@example
AH_VERBATIM([_GNU_SOURCE],
[/* Enable GNU extensions on systems that have them. */
#ifndef _GNU_SOURCE
# define _GNU_SOURCE
#endif])
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AH_TEMPLATE (@var{key}, @var{description})
@maindex AH_TEMPLATE
@maindex TEMPLATE
Inform @code{autoheader} that it must generate a template for @var{key}.
This macro generates standard templates, as @code{AC_DEFINE} does when a
@var{description} is given.
For instance:
@example
AH_TEMPLATE([CRAY_STACKSEG_END],
[Define to one of _getb67, GETB67, getb67
for Cray-2 and Cray-YMP systems. This
function is required for alloca.c support
on those systems.])
@end example
@noindent
will generate the following template, with the description properly
justified.
@example
/* Define to one of _getb67, GETB67, getb67 for Cray-2 and
Cray-YMP systems. This function is required for alloca.c
support on those systems. */
#undef CRAY_STACKSEG_END
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AH_TOP (@var{text})
@maindex AH_TOP
@maindex TOP
Include @var{text} at the top of the header template file.
@end defmac
@defmac AH_BOTTOM (@var{text})
@maindex AH_BOTTOM
@maindex BOTTOM
Include @var{text} at the bottom of the header template file.
@end defmac
@node Configuration Commands, Configuration Links, Configuration Headers, Setup
@section Running Arbitrary Configuration Commands
You execute arbitrary commands either before, during and after
@file{config.status} is run. The three following macros accumulate the
commands to run when they are called multiple times.
@code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS} replaces the obsolete macro
@code{AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS}, see @ref{Obsolete Macros}, for details.
@defmac AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS (@var{tag}@dots{}, @ovar{cmds}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@maindex CONFIG_COMMANDS
Specify additional shell commands to run at the end of
@file{config.status}, and shell commands to initialize any variables
from @code{configure}. Associate the commands to the @var{tag}. Since
typically the @var{cmds} create a file, @var{tag} should naturally be
the name of that file.
Here is an unrealistic example:
@example
fubar=42
AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS(fubar,
[echo this is extra $fubar, and so on.],
[fubar=$fubar])
@end example
Here is a better one:
@example
AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS(time-stamp, [date >time-stamp])
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS_PRE(@var{cmds})
@maindex OUTPUT_COMMANDS_PRE
Execute the @var{cmds} right before creating @file{config.status}. A
typical use is computing values derived from variables built during the
execution of @code{configure}:
@example
AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS_PRE(
[LTLIBOBJS=`echo $LIBOBJS | sed 's/\.o/\.lo/g'`
AC_SUBST(LTLIBOBJS)])
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS_POST(@var{cmds})
@maindex OUTPUT_COMMANDS_POST
Execute the @var{cmds} right after creating @file{config.status}.
@end defmac
@node Configuration Links, Subdirectories, Configuration Commands, Setup
@section Creating Configuration Links
You may find convenient to creates links which destination depends upon
results from tests. One can use @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS} but the
creation of relative symbolic links can be delicate when the package is
built in another directory than its sources.
@defmac AC_CONFIG_LINKS (@var{dest}:@var{source}@dots{}, @ovar{cmds}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@maindex CONFIG_LINKS
@cindex Links
Make @code{AC_OUTPUT} link each of the existing files @var{source} to
the corresponding link name @var{dest}. Makes a symbolic link if
possible, otherwise a hard link. The @var{dest} and @var{source} names
should be relative to the top level source or build directory. This
macro may be called multiple times.
For example, this call:
@example
AC_CONFIG_LINKS(host.h:config/$machine.h
object.h:config/$obj_format.h)
@end example
@noindent
creates in the current directory @file{host.h}, which is a link to
@file{@var{srcdir}/config/$machine.h}, and @file{object.h}, which is a
link to @file{@var{srcdir}/config/$obj_format.h}.
The tempting value @samp{.} for @var{dest} is invalid: it makes it
impossible for @samp{config.status} to guess the links to establish. It
is then valid to run:
@example
./config.status host.h object.h
@end example
to establish the links.
@end defmac
@node Subdirectories, Default Prefix, Configuration Links, Setup
@section Configuring Other Packages in Subdirectories
In most situations, calling @code{AC_OUTPUT} is sufficient to produce
@file{Makefile}s in subdirectories. However, @code{configure} scripts
that control more than one independent package can use
@code{AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS} to run @code{configure} scripts for other
packages in subdirectories.
@defmac AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS (@var{dir} @dots{})
@maindex CONFIG_SUBDIRS
@ovindex subdirs
Make @code{AC_OUTPUT} run @code{configure} in each subdirectory
@var{dir} in the given whitespace-separated list. Each @var{dir} should
be a literal, i.e., please do not use:
@example
if test "$package_foo_enabled" = yes; then
$my_subdirs="$my_subdirs foo"
fi
AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS($my_subdirs)
@end example
@noindent
because this prevents @samp{./configure --help=recursive} from
displaying the options of the package @code{foo}. Rather, you should
write:
@example
if test "$package_foo_enabled" = yes then;
AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS(foo)
fi
@end example
If a given @var{dir} is not found, no error is reported, so a
@code{configure} script can configure whichever parts of a large source
tree are present. If a given @var{dir} contains @file{configure.in} but
no @code{configure}, the Cygnus @code{configure} script found by
@code{AC_CONFIG_AUXDIR} is used.
The subdirectory @code{configure} scripts are given the same command
line options that were given to this @code{configure} script, with minor
changes if needed (e.g., to adjust a relative path for the cache file or
source directory). This macro also sets the output variable
@code{subdirs} to the list of directories @samp{@var{dir} @dots{}}.
@file{Makefile} rules can use this variable to determine which
subdirectories to recurse into. This macro may be called multiple
times.
@end defmac
@node Default Prefix, , Subdirectories, Setup
@section Default Prefix
By default, @code{configure} sets the prefix for files it installs to
@file{/usr/local}. The user of @code{configure} can select a different
prefix using the @samp{--prefix} and @samp{--exec-prefix} options.
There are two ways to change the default: when creating
@code{configure}, and when running it.
Some software packages might want to install in a directory besides
@file{/usr/local} by default. To accomplish that, use the
@code{AC_PREFIX_DEFAULT} macro.
@defmac AC_PREFIX_DEFAULT (@var{prefix})
Set the default installation prefix to @var{prefix} instead of
@file{/usr/local}.
@end defmac
It may be convenient for users to have @code{configure} guess the
installation prefix from the location of a related program that they
have already installed. If you wish to do that, you can call
@code{AC_PREFIX_PROGRAM}.
@defmac AC_PREFIX_PROGRAM (@var{program})
@maindex PREFIX_PROGRAM
If the user did not specify an installation prefix (using the
@samp{--prefix} option), guess a value for it by looking for
@var{program} in @code{PATH}, the way the shell does. If @var{program}
is found, set the prefix to the parent of the directory containing
@var{program}; otherwise leave the prefix specified in
@file{Makefile.in} unchanged. For example, if @var{program} is
@code{gcc} and the @code{PATH} contains @file{/usr/local/gnu/bin/gcc},
set the prefix to @file{/usr/local/gnu}.
@end defmac
@c ======================================================== Existing tests
@node Existing Tests, Writing Tests, Setup, Top
@chapter Existing Tests
These macros test for particular system features that packages might
need or want to use. If you need to test for a kind of feature that
none of these macros check for, you can probably do it by calling
primitive test macros with appropriate arguments (@pxref{Writing
Tests}).
These tests print messages telling the user which feature they're
checking for, and what they find. They cache their results for future
@code{configure} runs (@pxref{Caching Results}).
Some of these macros set output variables. @xref{Makefile
Substitutions}, for how to get their values. The phrase ``define
@var{name}'' is used below as a shorthand to mean ``define C
preprocessor symbol @var{name} to the value 1''. @xref{Defining
Symbols}, for how to get those symbol definitions into your program.
@menu
* Common Behavior:: Macros' standard schemes
* Alternative Programs:: Selecting between alternative programs
* Libraries:: Library archives that might be missing
* Library Functions:: C library functions that might be missing
* Header Files:: Header files that might be missing
* Declarations:: Declarations that may be missing
* Structures:: Structures or members that might be missing
* Types:: Types that might be missing
* Compilers and Preprocessors:: Checking for compiling programs
* C Compiler Characteristics::
* Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics::
* System Services:: Operating system services
* UNIX Variants:: Special kludges for specific UNIX variants
@end menu
@node Common Behavior, Alternative Programs, Existing Tests, Existing Tests
@section Common Behavior
Much effort is developed in Autoconf to make it easy to learn. The most
obvious means to reach this goal is simply to enforce standard and
rigorous schemes, and to avoid as much as possible exceptions. Because
of history and momentum, there are still too many exceptions in
Autoconf, nevertheless this section describes some of the common rules.
@menu
* Standard Symbols:: Symbols defined by the macros
* Default Includes:: Includes used by the generic macros
@end menu
@node Standard Symbols, Default Includes, Common Behavior, Common Behavior
@subsection Standard Symbols
All the generic macros which @code{AC_DEFINE} a symbol as a result of
their test transform their @var{argument}s to a standard alphabet.
First @var{argument} is mapped to upper case and any star @samp{*} to
@samp{P}. Any characters that remains which is not alpha-numerical or
underscore is mapped to an underscore.
For instance
@example
AC_CHECK_TYPES(struct $Expensive*)
@end example
@noindent
may define the symbol @samp{HAVE_STRUCT__EXPENSIVEP}.
@node Default Includes, , Standard Symbols, Common Behavior
@subsection Default Includes
@cindex Includes, default
Several tests depend upon a set of headers. Since headers are not
universally available, you actually have to provide a set of protected
includes, such as
@example
@group
#if TIME_WITH_SYS_TIME
# include <sys/time.h>
# include <time.h>
#else
# if HAVE_SYS_TIME_H
# include <sys/time.h>
# else
# include <time.h>
# endif
#endif
@end group
@end example
@noindent
Unless you know exactly what you are doing, you should avoid to use
unconditional includes, and check the existence of the headers you
include beforehand (@pxref{Header Files}).
Most generic macros provide the following default set of includes:
@example
@group
#include <stdio.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#if STDC_HEADERS
# include <stdlib.h>
# include <stddef.h>
#else
# if HAVE_STDLIB_H
# include <stdlib.h>
# endif
#endif
#if HAVE_STRING_H
# if !STDC_HEADERS && HAVE_MEMORY_H
# include <memory.h>
# endif
# include <string.h>
#else
# if HAVE_STRINGS_H
# include <strings.h>
# endif
#endif
#if HAVE_INTTYPES_H
# include <inttypes.h>
#endif
#if HAVE_UNISTD_H
# include <unistd.h>
#endif
@end group
@end example
@node Alternative Programs, Libraries, Common Behavior, Existing Tests
@section Alternative Programs
@cindex Programs, checking
These macros check for the presence or behavior of particular programs.
They are used to choose between several alternative programs and to
decide what to do once one has been chosen. If there is no macro
specifically defined to check for a program you need, and you don't need
to check for any special properties of it, then you can use one of the
general program check macros.
@menu
* Particular Programs:: Special handling to find certain programs
* Generic Programs:: How to find other programs
@end menu
@node Particular Programs, Generic Programs, Alternative Programs, Alternative Programs
@subsection Particular Program Checks
These macros check for particular programs---whether they exist, and
in some cases whether they support certain features.
@defmac AC_PROG_AWK
@maindex PROG_AWK
@ovindex AWK
Check for @code{mawk}, @code{gawk}, @code{nawk}, and @code{awk}, in that
order, and set output variable @code{AWK} to the first one that it
finds. It tries @code{mawk} first because that is reported to be the
fastest implementation.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_INSTALL
@maindex PROG_INSTALL
@ovindex INSTALL
@ovindex INSTALL_PROGRAM
@ovindex INSTALL_DATA
@ovindex INSTALL_SCRIPT
Set output variable @code{INSTALL} to the path of a @sc{bsd} compatible
@code{install} program, if one is found in the current @code{PATH}.
Otherwise, set @code{INSTALL} to @samp{@var{dir}/install-sh -c},
checking the directories specified to @code{AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR} (or its
default directories) to determine @var{dir} (@pxref{Output}). Also set
the variables @code{INSTALL_PROGRAM} and @code{INSTALL_SCRIPT} to
@samp{$INSTALL} and @code{INSTALL_DATA} to @samp{$INSTALL -m 644}.
This macro screens out various instances of @code{install} known to not
work. It prefers to find a C program rather than a shell script, for
speed. Instead of @file{install-sh}, it can also use @file{install.sh},
but that name is obsolete because some @code{make} programs have a rule
that creates @file{install} from it if there is no @file{Makefile}.
A copy of @file{install-sh} which you may use comes with Autoconf. If
you use @code{AC_PROG_INSTALL}, you must include either
@file{install-sh} or @file{install.sh} in your distribution, or
@code{configure} will produce an error message saying it can't find
them---even if the system you're on has a good @code{install} program.
This check is a safety measure to prevent you from accidentally leaving
that file out, which would prevent your package from installing on
systems that don't have a @sc{bsd}-compatible @code{install} program.
If you need to use your own installation program because it has features
not found in standard @code{install} programs, there is no reason to use
@code{AC_PROG_INSTALL}; just put the pathname of your program into your
@file{Makefile.in} files.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_LEX
@maindex PROG_LEX
@ovindex LEX
@ovindex LEXLIB
@cvindex YYTEXT_POINTER
@ovindex LEX_OUTPUT_ROOT
If @code{flex} is found, set output variable @code{LEX} to @samp{flex}
and @code{LEXLIB} to @samp{-lfl}, if that library is in a standard
place. Otherwise set @code{LEX} to @samp{lex} and @code{LEXLIB} to
@samp{-ll}.
Define @code{YYTEXT_POINTER} if @code{yytext} is a @samp{char *} instead
of a @samp{char []}. Also set output variable @code{LEX_OUTPUT_ROOT} to
the base of the file name that the lexer generates; usually
@file{lex.yy}, but sometimes something else. These results vary
according to whether @code{lex} or @code{flex} is being used.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_LN_S
@maindex PROG_LN_S
@ovindex LN_S
If @samp{ln -s} works on the current file system (the operating system
and file system support symbolic links), set output variable @code{LN_S}
to @samp{ln -s}, otherwise set it to @samp{ln}.
If the link is put in a directory other than the current directory, its
meaning depends on whether @samp{ln} or @samp{ln -s} is used. To safely
create links using @samp{$(LN_S)}, either find out which form is used
and adjust the arguments, or always invoke @code{ln} in the directory
where the link is to be created.
In other words, it does not work to do
@example
$(LN_S) foo /x/bar
@end example
Instead, do
@example
(cd /x && $(LN_S) foo bar)
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_RANLIB
@maindex PROG_RANLIB
@ovindex RANLIB
Set output variable @code{RANLIB} to @samp{ranlib} if @code{ranlib}
is found, otherwise to @samp{:} (do nothing).
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_YACC
@maindex PROG_YACC
@ovindex YACC
If @code{bison} is found, set output variable @code{YACC} to @samp{bison
-y}. Otherwise, if @code{byacc} is found, set @code{YACC} to
@samp{byacc}. Otherwise set @code{YACC} to @samp{yacc}.
@end defmac
@node Generic Programs, , Particular Programs, Alternative Programs
@subsection Generic Program and File Checks
These macros are used to find programs not covered by the particular
test macros. If you need to check the behavior of a program as well as
find out whether it is present, you have to write your own test for it
(@pxref{Writing Tests}). By default, these macros use the environment
variable @code{PATH}. If you need to check for a program that might not
be in the user's @code{PATH}, you can pass a modified path to use
instead, like this:
@example
AC_PATH_PROG(INETD, inetd, /usr/libexec/inetd,
$PATH:/usr/libexec:/usr/sbin:/usr/etc:etc)
@end example
@defmac AC_CHECK_FILE (@var{file}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex CHECK_FILE
Check whether file @var{file} exists on the native system. If it is
found, execute @var{action-if-found}, otherwise do
@var{action-if-not-found}, if given.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_FILES (@var{files}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex CHECK_FILES
Executes @code{AC_CHECK_FILE} once for each file listed in @var{files}.
Additionally, defines @samp{HAVE_@var{file}} (@pxref{Standard Symbols})
for each file found.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_PROG (@var{variable}, @var{prog-to-check-for}, @var{value-if-found}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path}, @ovar{reject})
@maindex CHECK_PROG
Check whether program @var{prog-to-check-for} exists in @code{PATH}. If
it is found, set @var{variable} to @var{value-if-found}, otherwise to
@var{value-if-not-found}, if given. Always pass over @var{reject} (an
absolute file name) even if it is the first found in the search path; in
that case, set @var{variable} using the absolute file name of the
@var{prog-to-check-for} found that is not @var{reject}. If
@var{variable} was already set, do nothing. Calls @code{AC_SUBST} for
@var{variable}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_PROGS (@var{variable}, @var{progs-to-check-for}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path})
@maindex CHECK_PROGS
Check for each program in the whitespace-separated list
@var{progs-to-check-for} exists on the @code{PATH}. If it is found, set
@var{variable} to the name of that program. Otherwise, continue
checking the next program in the list. If none of the programs in the
list are found, set @var{variable} to @var{value-if-not-found}; if
@var{value-if-not-found} is not specified, the value of @var{variable}
is not changed. Calls @code{AC_SUBST} for @var{variable}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_TOOL (@var{variable}, @var{prog-to-check-for}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path})
@maindex CHECK_TOOL
Like @code{AC_CHECK_PROG}, but first looks for @var{prog-to-check-for}
with a prefix of the host type as determined by
@code{AC_CANONICAL_HOST}, followed by a dash (@pxref{Canonicalizing}).
For example, if the user runs @samp{configure --host=i386-gnu}, then
this call:
@example
AC_CHECK_TOOL(RANLIB, ranlib, :)
@end example
@noindent
sets @code{RANLIB} to @file{i386-gnu-ranlib} if that program exists in
@code{PATH}, or to @samp{ranlib} if that program exists in @code{PATH},
or to @samp{:} if neither program exists.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_TOOLS (@var{variable}, @var{progs-to-check-for}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path})
@maindex CHECK_TOOLS
Like @code{AC_CHECK_TOOL}, each of the tools in the list @var{progs-to-check-for} are
checked with a prefix of the host type as determined by @code{AC_CANONICAL_HOST},
followed by a dash (@pxref{Canonicalizing}). If none of the tools can be found with a
prefix, then the first one without a prefix is used. If a tool is found, set
@var{variable} to the name of that program. If none of the tools in the
list are found, set @var{variable} to @var{value-if-not-found}; if
@var{value-if-not-found} is not specified, the value of @var{variable}
is not changed. Calls @code{AC_SUBST} for @var{variable}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PATH_PROG (@var{variable}, @var{prog-to-check-for}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path})
@maindex PATH_PROG
Like @code{AC_CHECK_PROG}, but set @var{variable} to the entire
path of @var{prog-to-check-for} if found.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PATH_PROGS (@var{variable}, @var{progs-to-check-for}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path})
@maindex PATH_PROGS
Like @code{AC_CHECK_PROGS}, but if any of @var{progs-to-check-for}
are found, set @var{variable} to the entire path of the program
found.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PATH_TOOL (@var{variable}, @var{prog-to-check-for}, @ovar{value-if-not-found}, @ovar{path})
@maindex PATH_TOOL
Like @code{AC_PATH_PROG}, but first looks for @var{prog-to-check-for}
with a prefix of the host type as determined by
@code{AC_CANONICAL_HOST}, followed by a dash (@pxref{Canonicalizing}).
For example, if the user runs @samp{configure --host=i386-gnu}, then
this call:
@example
AC_PATH_TOOL(FILE, file, :, /usr/bin:$PATH)
@end example
@noindent
sets @code{FILE} to @file{/usr/bin/i386-gnu-file}, for example, if
that program is found at @file{/usr/bin} in @code{PATH}, or to
@samp{/usr/bin/file}, for example, if @emph{that} program is found at
@file{/usr/bin} in @code{PATH}, or to @samp{:} if neither program can
be found.
@end defmac
@node Libraries, Library Functions, Alternative Programs, Existing Tests
@section Library Files
@cindex Library, checking
The following macros check for the presence of certain C, C++ or Fortran
77 library archive files.
@defmac AC_CHECK_LIB (@var{library}, @var{function}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{other-libraries})
@maindex CHECK_LIB
Depending on the current language(@pxref{Language Choice}), try to
ensure that the C, C++ or Fortran 77 function @var{function} is
available by checking whether a test program can be linked with the
library @var{library} to get the function. @var{library} is the base
name of the library; e.g., to check for @samp{-lmp}, use @samp{mp} as
the @var{library} argument.
@var{action-if-found} is a list of shell commands to run if the link
with the library succeeds; @var{action-if-not-found} is a list of shell
commands to run if the link fails. If @var{action-if-found} is not
specified, the default action will prepend @samp{-l@var{library}} to
@code{LIBS} and define @samp{HAVE_LIB@var{library}} (in all
capitals). This macro is intended to support building of @code{LIBS} in
a right-to-left (least-dependent to most-dependent) fashion such that
library dependencies are satisfied as a natural side-effect of
consecutive tests. Some linkers are very sensitive to library ordering
so the order that @code{LIBS} is generated in is important to reliable
detection of libraries.
If linking with @var{library} results in unresolved symbols, which would
be resolved by linking with additional libraries, give those libraries
as the @var{other-libraries} argument, separated by spaces: @samp{-lXt
-lX11}. Otherwise this macro will fail to detect that @var{library} is
present, because linking the test program will always fail with
unresolved symbols. The @var{other-libraries} argument should be limited
to cases where it is desirable to test for the library in the presence of
another (which may not already be in @code{LIBS}).
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SEARCH_LIBS (@var{function}, @var{search-libs}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{other-libraries})
@maindex SEARCH_LIBS
Search for a library defining @var{function}, if it's not already
available. This equates to calling @code{AC_TRY_LINK_FUNC} first
with no libraries, then for each library listed in @var{search-libs}.
Add @samp{-l@var{library}} to @code{LIBS} for the first library found
to contain @var{function}, and run @var{action-if-found}. If the
function is not found, run @var{action-if-not-found}.
If linking with @var{library} results in unresolved symbols, which would
be resolved by linking with additional libraries, give those libraries
as the @var{other-libraries} argument, separated by spaces: @samp{-lXt
-lX11}. Otherwise this macro will fail to detect that @var{function} is
present, because linking the test program will always fail with
unresolved symbols.
@end defmac
@node Library Functions, Header Files, Libraries, Existing Tests
@section Library Functions
The following macros check for particular C library functions.
If there is no macro specifically defined to check for a function you need,
and you don't need to check for any special properties of
it, then you can use one of the general function check macros.
@menu
* Particular Functions:: Special handling to find certain functions
* Generic Functions:: How to find other functions
@end menu
@node Particular Functions, Generic Functions, Library Functions, Library Functions
@subsection Particular Function Checks
@cindex Function, checking
These macros check for particular C functions---whether they exist, and
in some cases how they respond when given certain arguments.
@defmac AC_FUNC_ALLOCA
@maindex FUNC_ALLOCA
@cvindex C_ALLOCA
@cvindex HAVE_ALLOCA_H
@ovindex ALLOCA
Check how to get @code{alloca}. Tries to get a builtin version by
checking for @file{alloca.h} or the predefined C preprocessor macros
@code{__GNUC__} and @code{_AIX}. If this macro finds @file{alloca.h},
it defines @code{HAVE_ALLOCA_H}.
If those attempts fail, it looks for the function in the standard C
library. If any of those methods succeed, it defines
@code{HAVE_ALLOCA}. Otherwise, it sets the output variable
@code{ALLOCA} to @samp{alloca.o} and defines @code{C_ALLOCA} (so
programs can periodically call @samp{alloca(0)} to garbage collect).
This variable is separate from @code{LIBOBJS} so multiple programs can
share the value of @code{ALLOCA} without needing to create an actual
library, in case only some of them use the code in @code{LIBOBJS}.
This macro does not try to get @code{alloca} from the System V R3
@file{libPW} or the System V R4 @file{libucb} because those libraries
contain some incompatible functions that cause trouble. Some versions
do not even contain @code{alloca} or contain a buggy version. If you
still want to use their @code{alloca}, use @code{ar} to extract
@file{alloca.o} from them instead of compiling @file{alloca.c}.
Source files that use @code{alloca} should start with a piece of code
like the following, to declare it properly. In some versions of AIX,
the declaration of @code{alloca} must precede everything else except for
comments and preprocessor directives. The @code{#pragma} directive is
indented so that pre-@sc{ansi} C compilers will ignore it, rather than
choke on it.
@example
@group
/* AIX requires this to be the first thing in the file. */
#ifndef __GNUC__
# if HAVE_ALLOCA_H
# include <alloca.h>
# else
# ifdef _AIX
#pragma alloca
# else
# ifndef alloca /* predefined by HP cc +Olibcalls */
char *alloca ();
# endif
# endif
# endif
#endif
@end group
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_CHOWN
@maindex FUNC_CHOWN
If the @code{chown} function is available and works (in particular it
should accept @samp{-1} for @code{uid} and @code{gid}), define
@code{HAVE_CHOWN}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_CLOSEDIR_VOID
@maindex FUNC_CLOSEDIR_VOID
@cvindex CLOSEDIR_VOID
If the @code{closedir} function does not return a meaningful value,
define @code{CLOSEDIR_VOID}. Otherwise, callers ought to check its
return value for an error indicator.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_FNMATCH
@maindex FUNC_FNMATCH
If the @code{fnmatch} function is available and works (unlike the one on
SunOS 5.4), define @code{HAVE_FNMATCH}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_GETGROUPS
@maindex FUNC_GETGROUPS
@ovindex GETGROUPS_LIBS
If the @code{getgroups} function is available and works (unlike on
Ultrix 4.3 where @samp{getgroups (0, 0)} always fails), define
@code{HAVE_GETGROUPS}. Set @code{GETGROUPS_LIBS} to any libraries
needed to get that function. This macro runs @code{AC_TYPE_GETGROUPS}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_GETLOADAVG
@maindex FUNC_GETLOADAVG
@cvindex SVR4
@cvindex DGUX
@cvindex UMAX
@cvindex UMAX4_3
@cvindex NLIST_STRUCT
@cvindex NLIST_NAME_UNION
@cvindex GETLODAVG_PRIVILEGED
@cvindex NEED_SETGID
@cvindex C_GETLOADAVG
@ovindex LIBOBJS
@ovindex NEED_SETGID
@ovindex KMEM_GROUP
@ovindex GETLOADAVG_LIBS
Check how to get the system load averages. If the system has the
@code{getloadavg} function, define @code{HAVE_GETLOADAVG}, and set
@code{GETLOADAVG_LIBS} to any libraries needed to get that function.
Also add @code{GETLOADAVG_LIBS} to @code{LIBS}.
Otherwise, require an @code{AC_LIBOBJ} replacement of @samp{getloadavg},
and possibly define several other C preprocessor macros and output
variables:
@enumerate
@item
Define @code{SVR4}, @code{DGUX}, @code{UMAX}, or @code{UMAX4_3} if on
those systems.
@item
If @file{nlist.h} is found, define @code{NLIST_STRUCT}.
@item
If @samp{struct nlist} has an @samp{n_un.n_name} member, define
@code{HAVE_STRUCT_NLIST_N_UN_N_NAME}. The obsolete symbol
@code{NLIST_NAME_UNION} is still defined, but do not depend upon it.
@item
@c FIXME: I don't understand anything to this sentence :(
If compiling @file{getloadavg.c} define @code{C_GETLOADAVG} and
@code{LDAV_PRIVILEGED}, programs need to be installed specially on this
system for @code{getloadavg} to work, and this macro defines
@code{GETLOADAVG_PRIVILEGED}.
@item
This macro sets the output variable @code{NEED_SETGID}. The value is
@samp{true} if special installation is required, @samp{false} if not.
If @code{NEED_SETGID} is @samp{true}, this macro sets @code{KMEM_GROUP}
to the name of the group that should own the installed program.
@end enumerate
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_GETMNTENT
@maindex FUNC_GETMNTENT
@cvindex HAVE_GETMNTENT
Check for @code{getmntent} in the @file{sun}, @file{seq}, and @file{gen}
libraries, for Irix 4, PTX, and Unixware, respectively. Then, if
@code{getmntent} is available, define @code{HAVE_GETMNTENT}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_GETPGRP
@maindex FUNC_GETPGRP
@cvindex GETPGRP_VOID
If @code{getpgrp} takes no argument (the @sc{posix.1} version), define
@code{GETPGRP_VOID}. Otherwise, it is the @sc{bsd} version, which takes
a process ID as an argument. This macro does not check whether
@code{getpgrp} exists at all; if you need to work in that situation,
first call @code{AC_CHECK_FUNC} for @code{getpgrp}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_MALLOC
@maindex FUNC_MALLOC
If the @code{malloc} works correctly (@samp{malloc (0)} returns a valid
pointer), define @code{HAVE_MALLOC}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_MEMCMP
@maindex FUNC_MEMCMP
@ovindex LIBOBJS
If the @code{memcmp} function is not available, or does not work on
8-bit data (like the one on SunOS 4.1.3), or fails when comparing 16
bytes or more and with at least one buffer not starting on a 4-byte
boundary (such as the one on Next x86 OpenStep), require an
@code{AC_LIBOBJ} replacement for @samp{memcmp}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_MKTIME
@maindex FUNC_MKTIME
@ovindex LIBOBJS
If the @code{mktime} function is not available, or does not work
correctly, require an @code{AC_LIBOBJ} replacement for @samp{mktime}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_MMAP
@maindex FUNC_MMAP
@cvindex HAVE_MMAP
If the @code{mmap} function exists and works correctly, define
@code{HAVE_MMAP}. Only checks private fixed mapping of already-mapped
memory.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_SELECT_ARGTYPES
@maindex FUNC_SELECT_ARGTYPES
@cvindex SELECT_TYPE_ARG1
@cvindex SELECT_TYPE_ARG234
@cvindex SELECT_TYPE_ARG5
Determines the correct type to be passed to each of the
@code{select} function's arguments, and defines those types
in @code{SELECT_TYPE_ARG1}, @code{SELECT_TYPE_ARG234}, and
@code{SELECT_TYPE_ARG5} respectively. @code{SELECT_TYPE_ARG1} defaults
to @samp{int}, @code{SELECT_TYPE_ARG234} defaults to @samp{int *},
and @code{SELECT_TYPE_ARG5} defaults to @samp{struct timeval *}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_SETPGRP
@maindex FUNC_SETPGRP
@cvindex SETPGRP_VOID
If @code{setpgrp} takes no argument (the @sc{posix.1} version), define
@code{SETPGRP_VOID}. Otherwise, it is the @sc{bsd} version, which takes
two process ID as arguments. This macro does not check whether
@code{setpgrp} exists at all; if you need to work in that situation,
first call @code{AC_CHECK_FUNC} for @code{setpgrp}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_SETVBUF_REVERSED
@maindex FUNC_SETVBUF_REVERSED
@cvindex SETVBUF_REVERSED
If @code{setvbuf} takes the buffering type as its second argument and
the buffer pointer as the third, instead of the other way around, define
@code{SETVBUF_REVERSED}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_STRCOLL
@maindex FUNC_STRCOLL
@cvindex HAVE_STRCOLL
If the @code{strcoll} function exists and works correctly, define
@code{HAVE_STRCOLL}. This does a bit more than
@samp{AC_CHECK_FUNCS(strcoll)}, because some systems have incorrect
definitions of @code{strcoll}, which should not be used.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_STRFTIME
@maindex FUNC_STRFTIME
@cvindex HAVE_STRFTIME
Check for @code{strftime} in the @file{intl} library, for SCO @sc{unix}.
Then, if @code{strftime} is available, define @code{HAVE_STRFTIME}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_UTIME_NULL
@maindex FUNC_UTIME_NULL
@cvindex HAVE_UTIME_NULL
If @samp{utime(@var{file}, NULL)} sets @var{file}'s timestamp to
the present, define @code{HAVE_UTIME_NULL}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_VFORK
@maindex FUNC_VFORK
@cvindex HAVE_VFORK_H
@cvindex vfork
If @file{vfork.h} is found, define @code{HAVE_VFORK_H}. If a working
@code{vfork} is not found, define @code{vfork} to be @code{fork}. This
macro checks for several known errors in implementations of @code{vfork}
and considers the system to not have a working @code{vfork} if it
detects any of them. It is not considered to be an implementation error
if a child's invocation of @code{signal} modifies the parent's signal
handler, since child processes rarely change their signal handlers.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_VPRINTF
@maindex FUNC_VPRINTF
@cvindex HAVE_VPRINTF
@cvindex HAVE_DOPRNT
If @code{vprintf} is found, define @code{HAVE_VPRINTF}. Otherwise, if
@code{_doprnt} is found, define @code{HAVE_DOPRNT}. (If @code{vprintf}
is available, you may assume that @code{vfprintf} and @code{vsprintf}
are also available.)
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_WAIT3
@maindex FUNC_WAIT3
@cvindex HAVE_WAIT3
If @code{wait3} is found and fills in the contents of its third argument
(a @samp{struct rusage *}), which HP-UX does not do, define
@code{HAVE_WAIT3}.
@end defmac
@node Generic Functions, , Particular Functions, Library Functions
@subsection Generic Function Checks
These macros are used to find functions not covered by the particular
test macros. If the functions might be in libraries other than the
default C library, first call @code{AC_CHECK_LIB} for those libraries.
If you need to check the behavior of a function as well as find out
whether it is present, you have to write your own test for
it (@pxref{Writing Tests}).
@defmac AC_CHECK_FUNC (@var{function}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex CHECK_FUNC
If C function @var{function} is available, run shell commands
@var{action-if-found}, otherwise @var{action-if-not-found}. If you just
want to define a symbol if the function is available, consider using
@code{AC_CHECK_FUNCS} instead. This macro checks for functions with C
linkage even when @code{AC_LANG(C++)} has been called, since C++ is more
standardized than C is. (@pxref{Language Choice}, for more information
about selecting the language for checks.)
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_FUNCS (@var{function}@dots{}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex CHECK_FUNCS
@cvindex HAVE_@var{function}
For each given @var{function} in the whitespace-separated argument list
that is available, define @code{HAVE_@var{function}} (in all capitals).
If @var{action-if-found} is given, it is additional shell code to
execute when one of the functions is found. You can give it a value of
@samp{break} to break out of the loop on the first match. If
@var{action-if-not-found} is given, it is executed when one of the
functions is not found.
@end defmac
Autoconf follows a philosophy which was hammered along the years by the
people who fought for portability: isolate the portability issues in
specific files, and program as if you were in a @sc{posix} environment.
Some functions cannot be repaired or are completely missing, your
package must be ready to replace them.
Use the two following macros to specify the function which might be
replaced, and use the third one to check and replace a function if
needed.
@defmac AC_LIBOBJ (@var{function})
@maindex LIBOBJ
@ovindex LIBOBJS
Specify that @samp{@var{function}.c} must be included in the executables
to replace a missing or broken implementation of @var{function}.
Technically it adds @samp{@var{function}.$ac_objext} to the output
variable @code{LIBOBJS}, nevertheless you must not directly change
@code{LIBOBJS} since this is not traceable.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LIBOBJ_DECL (@var{function})
@maindex LIBOBJ_DECL
@ovindex LIBOBJS
Specify that @samp{@var{function}.c} might be needed to compile the
project. You must use this macro when you are calling @code{AC_LIBOBJ}
with a shell variable, since shell variables cannot be traced
statically. @var{function} must be a literal.
For instance you might need to:
@example
AC_LIBOBJ_DECL(foo)
AC_LIBOBJ_DECL(bar)
AC_LIBOBJ($foo_or_bar)
@end example
@noindent
nevertheless, there is always a means to avoid this, and you are
encouraged to always uses literals with @code{AC_LIBOBJ}.
Conversely, if you need to know what are the files that might be needed
by a @file{configure.in}, you should trace @code{AC_LIBOBJ_DECL}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_REPLACE_FUNCS (@var{function}@dots{})
@maindex REPLACE_FUNCS
@ovindex LIBOBJS
Like calling @code{AC_CHECK_FUNCS} using
@samp{AC_LIBOBJ(@var{function})} as @var{action-if-not-found}. You can
declare a function for which your replacement version is used by
enclosing the prototype in @samp{#if !HAVE_@var{function}}. If the
system has the function, it probably declares it in a header file you
should be including, so you shouldn't redeclare it, lest your
declaration conflict.
@end defmac
@node Header Files, Declarations, Library Functions, Existing Tests
@section Header Files
@cindex Header, checking
The following macros check for the presence of certain C header files.
If there is no macro specifically defined to check for a header file you need,
and you don't need to check for any special properties of
it, then you can use one of the general header file check macros.
@menu
* Particular Headers:: Special handling to find certain headers
* Generic Headers:: How to find other headers
@end menu
@node Particular Headers, Generic Headers, Header Files, Header Files
@subsection Particular Header Checks
These macros check for particular system header files---whether they
exist, and in some cases whether they declare certain symbols.
@defmac AC_HEADER_DIRENT
@maindex HEADER_DIRENT
@cvindex HAVE_DIRENT_H
@cvindex HAVE_NDIR_H
@cvindex HAVE_SYS_DIR_H
@cvindex HAVE_SYS_NDIR_H
Check for the following header files, and for the first one that is
found and defines @samp{DIR}, define the listed C preprocessor macro:
@multitable {@file{sys/ndir.h}} {@code{HAVE_SYS_NDIR_H}}
@item @file{dirent.h} @tab @code{HAVE_DIRENT_H}
@item @file{sys/ndir.h} @tab @code{HAVE_SYS_NDIR_H}
@item @file{sys/dir.h} @tab @code{HAVE_SYS_DIR_H}
@item @file{ndir.h} @tab @code{HAVE_NDIR_H}
@end multitable
The directory library declarations in the source code should look
something like the following:
@example
@group
#if HAVE_DIRENT_H
# include <dirent.h>
# define NAMLEN(dirent) strlen((dirent)->d_name)
#else
# define dirent direct
# define NAMLEN(dirent) (dirent)->d_namlen
# if HAVE_SYS_NDIR_H
# include <sys/ndir.h>
# endif
# if HAVE_SYS_DIR_H
# include <sys/dir.h>
# endif
# if HAVE_NDIR_H
# include <ndir.h>
# endif
#endif
@end group
@end example
Using the above declarations, the program would declare variables to be
type @code{struct dirent}, not @code{struct direct}, and would access
the length of a directory entry name by passing a pointer to a
@code{struct dirent} to the @code{NAMLEN} macro.
This macro also checks for the SCO Xenix @file{dir} and @file{x} libraries.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_MAJOR
@maindex HEADER_MAJOR
@cvindex MAJOR_IN_MKDEV
@cvindex MAJOR_IN_SYSMACROS
If @file{sys/types.h} does not define @code{major}, @code{minor}, and
@code{makedev}, but @file{sys/mkdev.h} does, define
@code{MAJOR_IN_MKDEV}; otherwise, if @file{sys/sysmacros.h} does, define
@code{MAJOR_IN_SYSMACROS}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_STAT
@maindex HEADER_STAT
@maindex STAT_MACROS_BROKEN
If the macros @code{S_ISDIR}, @code{S_ISREG} et al. defined in
@file{sys/stat.h} do not work properly (returning false positives),
define @code{STAT_MACROS_BROKEN}. This is the case on Tektronix UTekV,
Amdahl UTS and Motorola System V/88.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_TIME
@maindex HEADER_TIME
@cvindex TIME_WITH_SYS_TIME
If a program may include both @file{time.h} and @file{sys/time.h},
define @code{TIME_WITH_SYS_TIME}. On some older systems,
@file{sys/time.h} includes @file{time.h}, but @file{time.h} is not
protected against multiple inclusion, so programs should not explicitly
include both files. This macro is useful in programs that use, for
example, @code{struct timeval} or @code{struct timezone} as well as
@code{struct tm}. It is best used in conjunction with
@code{HAVE_SYS_TIME_H}, which can be checked for using
@code{AC_CHECK_HEADERS(sys/time.h)}.
@example
@group
#if TIME_WITH_SYS_TIME
# include <sys/time.h>
# include <time.h>
#else
# if HAVE_SYS_TIME_H
# include <sys/time.h>
# else
# include <time.h>
# endif
#endif
@end group
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_STDC
@maindex HEADER_STDC
@cvindex STDC_HEADERS
Define @code{STDC_HEADERS} if the system has @sc{ansi} C header files.
Specifically, this macro checks for @file{stdlib.h}, @file{stdarg.h},
@file{string.h}, and @file{float.h}; if the system has those, it
probably has the rest of the @sc{ansi} C header files. This macro also
checks whether @file{string.h} declares @code{memchr} (and thus
presumably the other @code{mem} functions), whether @file{stdlib.h}
declare @code{free} (and thus presumably @code{malloc} and other related
functions), and whether the @file{ctype.h} macros work on characters
with the high bit set, as @sc{ansi} C requires.
Use @code{STDC_HEADERS} instead of @code{__STDC__} to determine whether
the system has @sc{ansi}-compliant header files (and probably C library
functions) because many systems that have GCC do not have @sc{ansi} C
header files.
On systems without @sc{ansi} C headers, there is so much variation that
it is probably easier to declare the functions you use than to figure
out exactly what the system header files declare. Some systems contain
a mix of functions @sc{ansi} and @sc{bsd}; some are mostly @sc{ansi} but
lack @samp{memmove}; some define the @sc{bsd} functions as macros in
@file{string.h} or @file{strings.h}; some have only the @sc{bsd}
functions but @file{string.h}; some declare the memory functions in
@file{memory.h}, some in @file{string.h}; etc. It is probably
sufficient to check for one string function and one memory function; if
the library has the @sc{ansi} versions of those then it probably has
most of the others. If you put the following in @file{configure.in}:
@example
AC_HEADER_STDC
AC_CHECK_FUNCS(strchr memcpy)
@end example
@noindent
then, in your code, you can put declarations like this:
@example
@group
#if STDC_HEADERS
# include <string.h>
#else
# if !HAVE_STRCHR
# define strchr index
# define strrchr rindex
# endif
char *strchr (), *strrchr ();
# if !HAVE_MEMCPY
# define memcpy(d, s, n) bcopy ((s), (d), (n))
# define memmove(d, s, n) bcopy ((s), (d), (n))
# endif
#endif
@end group
@end example
@noindent
If you use a function like @code{memchr}, @code{memset}, @code{strtok},
or @code{strspn}, which have no @sc{bsd} equivalent, then macros won't
suffice; you must provide an implementation of each function. An easy
way to incorporate your implementations only when needed (since the ones
in system C libraries may be hand optimized) is to, taking @code{memchr}
for example, put it in @file{memchr.c} and use
@samp{AC_REPLACE_FUNCS(memchr)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_SYS_WAIT
@maindex HEADER_SYS_WAIT
@cvindex HAVE_SYS_WAIT_H
If @file{sys/wait.h} exists and is compatible with @sc{posix.1}, define
@code{HAVE_SYS_WAIT_H}. Incompatibility can occur if @file{sys/wait.h}
does not exist, or if it uses the old @sc{bsd} @code{union wait} instead
of @code{int} to store a status value. If @file{sys/wait.h} is not
@sc{posix.1} compatible, then instead of including it, define the
@sc{posix.1} macros with their usual interpretations. Here is an
example:
@example
@group
#include <sys/types.h>
#if HAVE_SYS_WAIT_H
# include <sys/wait.h>
#endif
#ifndef WEXITSTATUS
# define WEXITSTATUS(stat_val) ((unsigned)(stat_val) >> 8)
#endif
#ifndef WIFEXITED
# define WIFEXITED(stat_val) (((stat_val) & 255) == 0)
#endif
@end group
@end example
@end defmac
@cvindex _POSIX_VERSION
@code{_POSIX_VERSION} is defined when @file{unistd.h} is included on
@sc{posix.1} systems. If there is no @file{unistd.h}, it is definitely
not a @sc{posix.1} system. However, some non-@sc{posix.1} systems do
have @file{unistd.h}.
The way to check if the system supports @sc{posix.1} is:
@example
@group
#if HAVE_UNISTD_H
# include <sys/types.h>
# include <unistd.h>
#endif
#ifdef _POSIX_VERSION
/* Code for POSIX.1 systems. */
#endif
@end group
@end example
@node Generic Headers, , Particular Headers, Header Files
@subsection Generic Header Checks
These macros are used to find system header files not covered by the
particular test macros. If you need to check the contents of a header
as well as find out whether it is present, you have to write your own
test for it (@pxref{Writing Tests}).
@defmac AC_CHECK_HEADER (@var{header-file}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex CHECK_HEADER
If the system header file @var{header-file} exists, execute shell commands
@var{action-if-found}, otherwise execute @var{action-if-not-found}. If
you just want to define a symbol if the header file is available,
consider using @code{AC_CHECK_HEADERS} instead.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_HEADERS (@var{header-file}@dots{}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex CHECK_HEADERS
@cvindex HAVE_@var{header}
For each given system header file @var{header-file} in the
whitespace-separated argument list that exists, define
@code{HAVE_@var{header-file}} (in all capitals). If @var{action-if-found}
is given, it is additional shell code to execute when one of the header
files is found. You can give it a value of @samp{break} to break out of
the loop on the first match. If @var{action-if-not-found} is given, it
is executed when one of the header files is not found.
@end defmac
@node Declarations, Structures, Header Files, Existing Tests
@section Declarations
@cindex Declaration, checking
The following macros check for the declaration of variables and
functions. If there is no macro specifically defined to check for a
symbol you need, then you can use the general macro (@pxref{Generic
Declarations}) or, for more complex tests, you may use
@code{AC_TRY_COMPILE} (@pxref{Examining Syntax}).
@menu
* Particular Declarations:: Macros to check for certain declarations
* Generic Declarations:: How to find other declarations
@end menu
@node Particular Declarations, Generic Declarations, Declarations, Declarations
@subsection Particular Declaration Checks
The following macros check for certain declarations.
@defmac AC_DECL_SYS_SIGLIST
@maindex DECL_SYS_SIGLIST
@cvindex SYS_SIGLIST_DECLARED
Define @code{SYS_SIGLIST_DECLARED} if the variable @code{sys_siglist}
is declared in a system header file, either @file{signal.h} or
@file{unistd.h}.
@end defmac
@node Generic Declarations, , Particular Declarations, Declarations
@subsection Generic Declaration Checks
These macros are used to find declarations not covered by the particular
test macros.
@defmac AC_CHECK_DECL (@var{symbol}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_DECL
If the declaration of @var{symbol} (a function or a variable) is needed
because it is not declared in @var{includes}, run the shell commands
@var{action-if-not-found}, otherwise @var{action-if-found}. If no
@var{includes} are specified, the default includes are used
(@pxref{Default Includes}).
This macro actually tests whether it is valid to use @var{symbol} as an
r-value, not if it is really declared, because it is much safer to avoid
introducing extra declarations when not needed.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_DECLS (@var{symbols}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_DECLS
@cvindex HAVE_DECL_@var{symbol}
For each of the @var{symbols} (comma separated list), define
@code{HAVE_DECL_@var{symbol}} (in all capitals) to @samp{1} if
@var{symbol} is declared, otherwise to @samp{0}. If
@var{action-if-not-found} is given, it is additional shell code to
execute when one of the function declarations is needed, otherwise
@var{action-if-found} is executed.
This macro uses an m4 list as first argument:
@example
AC_CHECK_DECLS(strdup)
AC_CHECK_DECLS([strlen])
AC_CHECK_DECLS([malloc, realloc, calloc, free])
@end example
Unlike the other @samp{AC_CHECK_*S} macros, when a @var{symbol} is not
declared, @code{HAVE_DECL_@var{symbol}} is defined to @samp{0} instead
of leaving @code{HAVE_DECL_@var{symbol}} undeclared.
When you are @emph{sure} that the check was performed, use
@code{HAVE_DECL_@var{symbol}} just like any other result of Autoconf:
@example
#if !HAVE_DECL_SYMBOL
extern char *symbol;
#endif
@end example
@noindent
But if the test may have not been performed, because it is safer
@emph{not} to declare a symbol than to use a declaration which conflicts
with the system's one, you should use:
@example
#if defined HAVE_DECL_MALLOC && !HAVE_DECL_MALLOC
char *malloc (size_t *s);
#endif
@end example
@noindent
You fall into the second category only in extreme situations: either
your files may be used without being configured, or they are used during
the configuration. In most cases the traditional approach is enough.
@end defmac
@node Structures, Types, Declarations, Existing Tests
@section Structures
@cindex Structure, checking
The following macros check for the presence of certain members in C
structures. If there is no macro specifically defined to check for a
member you need, then you can use the general structure member macro
(@pxref{Generic Structures}) or, for more complex tests, you may use
@code{AC_TRY_COMPILE} (@pxref{Examining Syntax}).
@menu
* Particular Structures:: Macros to check for certain structure members
* Generic Structures:: How to find other structure members
@end menu
@node Particular Structures, Generic Structures, Structures, Structures
@subsection Particular Structure Checks
The following macros check for certain structures or structure members.
@defmac AC_STRUCT_ST_BLKSIZE
@maindex STRUCT_ST_BLKSIZE
@cvindex HAVE_STRUCT_STAT_ST_BLKSIZE
@cvindex HAVE_ST_BLKSIZE
If @code{struct stat} contains an @code{st_blksize} member, define
@code{HAVE_STRUCT_STAT_ST_BLKSIZE}. The former name,
@code{HAVE_ST_BLKSIZE} is to be avoided, as its support will cease in
the future. This macro is obsoleted, and should be replaced by
@example
AC_CHECK_MEMBERS((struct stat.st_blksize))
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STRUCT_ST_BLOCKS
@maindex STRUCT_ST_BLOCKS
@cvindex HAVE_STRUCT_STAT_ST_BLOCKS
@cvindex HAVE_ST_BLOCKS
@ovindex LIBOBJS
If @code{struct stat} contains an @code{st_blocks} member, define
@code{HAVE_STRUCT STAT_ST_BLOCKS}. Otherwise, require an
@code{AC_LIBOBJ} replacement of @samp{fileblocks}. The former name,
@code{HAVE_ST_BLOCKS} is to be avoided, as its support will cease in the
future.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STRUCT_ST_RDEV
@maindex STRUCT_ST_RDEV
@cvindex HAVE_ST_RDEV
@cvindex HAVE_STRUCT_STAT_ST_RDEV
If @code{struct stat} contains an @code{st_rdev} member, define
@code{HAVE_STRUCT_STAT_ST_RDEV}. The former name, @code{HAVE_ST_RDEV}
is to be avoided, as its support will cease in the future.
This macro is obsoleted, and should be replaced by
@example
AC_CHECK_MEMBERS((struct stat.st_rdev))
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STRUCT_TM
@maindex STRUCT_TM
@cvindex TM_IN_SYS_TIME
If @file{time.h} does not define @code{struct tm}, define
@code{TM_IN_SYS_TIME}, which means that including @file{sys/time.h}
had better define @code{struct tm}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STRUCT_TIMEZONE
@maindex STRUCT_TIMEZONE
@cvindex HAVE_TM_ZONE
@cvindex HAVE_TZNAME
Figure out how to get the current timezone. If @code{struct tm} has a
@code{tm_zone} member, define @code{HAVE_STRUCT_TM_TM_ZONE} (and the
obsoleted @code{HAVE_TM_ZONE}). Otherwise, if the external array
@code{tzname} is found, define @code{HAVE_TZNAME}.
@end defmac
@node Generic Structures, , Particular Structures, Structures
@subsection Generic Structure Checks
These macros are used to find structure members not covered by the
particular test macros.
@defmac AC_CHECK_MEMBER (@var{aggregate}.@var{member}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_MEMBER
Check whether @var{member} is a member of the aggregate @var{aggregate}.
If no @var{includes} are specified, the default includes are used
(@pxref{Default Includes}).
@example
AC_CHECK_MEMBER(struct passwd.pw_gecos,,
[AC_MSG_ERROR([We need `struct passwd.pw_gecos'!])],
[#include <pwd.h>])
@end example
You can use this macro for sub members:
@example
AC_CHECK_MEMBER(struct top.middle.bot)
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_MEMBERS (@var{members}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_MEMBERS
Check for the existence of each @samp{@var{aggregate}.@var{member}} of
@var{members} using the previous macro. When @var{member} belong to
@var{aggregate}, define @code{HAVE_@var{aggregate}_@var{member}} (in all
capitals, with spaces and dot replaced by underscore).
This macro uses m4 lists:
@example
AC_CHECK_MEMBERS([struct stat.st_rdev, struct stat.st_blksize])
@end example
@end defmac
@node Types, Compilers and Preprocessors, Structures, Existing Tests
@section Types
The following macros check for C types, either builtin or typedefs. If
there is no macro specifically defined to check for a type you need, and
you don't need to check for any special properties of it, then you can
use a general type check macro.
@menu
* Particular Types:: Special handling to find certain types
* Generic Types:: How to find other types
@end menu
@node Particular Types, Generic Types, Types, Types
@subsection Particular Type Checks
These macros check for particular C types in @file{sys/types.h},
@file{stdlib.h} and others, if they exist.
@defmac AC_TYPE_GETGROUPS
@maindex TYPE_GETGROUPS
@cvindex GETGROUPS_T
Define @code{GETGROUPS_T} to be whichever of @code{gid_t} or @code{int}
is the base type of the array argument to @code{getgroups}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TYPE_MODE_T
@maindex TYPE_MODE_T
@cvindex mode_t
Equivalent to @samp{AC_CHECK_TYPE(mode_t, int)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TYPE_OFF_T
@maindex TYPE_OFF_T
@cvindex off_t
Equivalent to @samp{AC_CHECK_TYPE(off_t, long)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TYPE_PID_T
@maindex TYPE_PID_T
@cvindex pid_t
Equivalent to @samp{AC_CHECK_TYPE(pid_t, int)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TYPE_SIGNAL
@maindex TYPE_SIGNAL
@cvindex RETSIGTYPE
If @file{signal.h} declares @code{signal} as returning a pointer to a
function returning @code{void}, define @code{RETSIGTYPE} to be
@code{void}; otherwise, define it to be @code{int}.
Define signal handlers as returning type @code{RETSIGTYPE}:
@example
@group
RETSIGTYPE
hup_handler ()
@{
@dots{}
@}
@end group
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TYPE_SIZE_T
@maindex TYPE_SIZE_T
@cvindex size_t
Equivalent to @samp{AC_CHECK_TYPE(size_t, unsigned)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TYPE_UID_T
@maindex TYPE_UID_T
@cvindex uid_t
@cvindex gid_t
If @code{uid_t} is not defined, define @code{uid_t} to be @code{int} and
@code{gid_t} to be @code{int}.
@end defmac
@node Generic Types, , Particular Types, Types
@subsection Generic Type Checks
These macros are used to check for types not covered by the particular
test macros.
@defmac AC_CHECK_TYPE (@var{type}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_TYPE
Check whether @var{type} is defined. It may be a compiler builtin type
or defined by the @ovar{includes} (@pxref{Default Includes}).
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_TYPES (@var{types}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_TYPES
For each @var{type} of the @var{types} which is defined, define
@code{HAVE_@var{type}} (in all capitals). If no @var{includes} are
specified, the default includes are used (@pxref{Default Includes}). If
@var{action-if-found} is given, it is additional shell code to execute
when one of the types is found. If @var{action-if-not-found} is given,
it is executed when one of the types is not found.
This macro uses m4 lists:
@example
AC_CHECK_TYPES(ptrdiff_t)
AC_CHECK_TYPES([unsigned long long, uintmax_t])
@end example
@end defmac
Autoconf, up to 2.13, used to provide to another version of
@code{AC_CHECK_TYPE}, broken by design. In order to keep backward
compatibility, a simple heuristics, quite safe but not totally, is
implemented. In case of doubt, the reader is strongly encourage to read
the documentation of the former @code{AC_CHECK_TYPE}, see @ref{Obsolete
Macros}.
@node Compilers and Preprocessors, C Compiler Characteristics, Types, Existing Tests
@section Compilers and Preprocessors
@ovindex EXEEXT
All the tests for compilers (@code{AC_PROG_CC}, @code{AC_PROG_CXX},
@code{AC_PROG_F77}) define the output variable @code{EXEEXT} based on
the output of the compiler, after @samp{.$ac_ext} (i.e. source files of
the current language), @samp{.o}, @samp{.obj} and @samp{.xcoff} files
have been excluded. Typically set to empty string if Unix and
@samp{.exe} if Win32 or OS/2.
@ovindex CYGWIN
@ovindex EMXOS2
@ovindex MINGW32
They also set the shell variable @code{CYGWIN} to @samp{yes} if run in
the Cygwin environment, @code{EMXOS2} to @samp{yes} if in the EMX
environment on OS/2, and @code{MINGW32} to @samp{yes} with the MingW32
compiler.
@ovindex OBJEXT
Finally, they define the output variable @code{OBJEXT} based on the
output of the compiler, after .c files have been excluded. Typically
set to @samp{o} if Unix, @samp{obj} if Win32.
If the compiler being used does not produce executables, they fail. If
the executables can't be run, and cross-compilation is not enabled, they
fail too. @xref{Manual Configuration}, for more on support for cross
compiling.
@defmac AC_PROG_CC (@ovar{compiler-search-list})
@maindex PROG_CC
@ovindex CC
@ovindex CFLAGS
Determine a C compiler to use. If @code{CC} is not already set in the
environment, check for @code{gcc} and @code{cc}, then for other C
compilers. Set output variable @code{CC} to the name of the compiler
found.
This macro may, however, be invoked with an optional first argument
which, if specified, must be a space separated list of C compilers to
search for. This just gives the user an opportunity to specify an
alternative search list for the C compiler. For example, if you didn't
like the default order, then you could invoke @code{AC_PROG_CC} like
this:
@example
AC_PROG_CC(cl egcs gcc cc)
@end example
If using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, set shell variable @code{GCC} to
@samp{yes}. If output variable @code{CFLAGS} was not already set, set
it to @samp{-g -O2} for the @sc{gnu} C compiler (@samp{-O2} on systems
where GCC does not accept @samp{-g}), or @samp{-g} for other compilers.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_CC_C_O
@maindex PROG_CC_C_O
@cvindex NO_MINUS_C_MINUS_O
If the C compiler does not accept the @samp{-c} and @samp{-o} options
simultaneously, define @code{NO_MINUS_C_MINUS_O}. This macro actually
tests both the compiler found by @code{AC_PROG_CC}, and, if different,
the first @code{cc} in the path. The test fails if one fails. This
macro was created for @sc{gnu} Make to choose the default C compilation
rule.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_CC_STDC
@maindex PROG_CC_STDC
@ovindex CC
If the C compiler in not in @sc{ansi} C mode by default, try to add an
option to output variable @code{CC} to make it so. This macro tries
various options that select @sc{ansi} C on some system or another. It
considers the compiler to be in @sc{ansi} C mode if it handles function
prototypes correctly.
If you use this macro, you should check after calling it whether the C
compiler has been set to accept @sc{ansi} C; if not, the shell variable
@code{ac_cv_prog_cc_stdc} is set to @samp{no}. If you wrote your source
code in @sc{ansi} C, you can make an un-@sc{ansi}fied copy of it by
using the program @code{ansi2knr}, which comes with Ghostscript.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_CPP
@maindex PROG_CPP
@ovindex CPP
Set output variable @code{CPP} to a command that runs the
C preprocessor. If @samp{$CC -E} doesn't work, it uses @file{/lib/cpp}.
It is only portable to run @code{CPP} on files with a @file{.c}
extension.
If the current language is C (@pxref{Language Choice}), many of the
specific test macros use the value of @code{CPP} indirectly by calling
@code{AC_TRY_CPP}, @code{AC_CHECK_HEADER}, @code{AC_EGREP_HEADER}, or
@code{AC_EGREP_CPP}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_CXX (@ovar{compiler-search-list})
@maindex PROG_CXX
@ovindex CXX
@ovindex CXXFLAGS
Determine a C++ compiler to use. Check if the environment variable
@code{CXX} or @code{CCC} (in that order) is set; if so, then set output
variable @code{CXX} to its value.
Otherwise, if the macro is invoked without an argument, then search for
a C++ compiler under the likely names (first @code{g++} and @code{c++}
then other names). If none of those checks succeed, then as a last
resort set @code{CXX} to @code{gcc}.
This macro may, however, be invoked with an optional first argument
which, if specified, must be a space separated list of C++ compilers to
search for. This just gives the user an opportunity to specify an
alternative search list for the C++ compiler. For example, if you
didn't like the default order, then you could invoke @code{AC_PROG_CXX}
like this:
@example
AC_PROG_CXX(cl KCC CC cxx cc++ xlC aCC c++ g++ egcs gcc)
@end example
If using the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler, set shell variable @code{GXX} to
@samp{yes}. If output variable @code{CXXFLAGS} was not already set, set
it to @samp{-g -O2} for the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler (@samp{-O2} on systems
where G++ does not accept @samp{-g}), or @samp{-g} for other compilers.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_CXXCPP
@maindex PROG_CXXCPP
@ovindex CXXCPP
Set output variable @code{CXXCPP} to a command that runs the
C++ preprocessor. If @samp{$CXX -E} doesn't work, it uses @file{/lib/cpp}.
It is only portable to run @code{CXXCPP} on files with a @file{.c},
@file{.C}, or @file{.cc} extension.
If the current language is C++ (@pxref{Language Choice}), many of the
specific test macros use the value of @code{CXXCPP} indirectly by
calling @code{AC_TRY_CPP}, @code{AC_CHECK_HEADER},
@code{AC_EGREP_HEADER}, or @code{AC_EGREP_CPP}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_F77 (@ovar{compiler-search-list})
@maindex PROG_FORTRAN
@ovindex F77
@ovindex FFLAGS
Determine a Fortran 77 compiler to use. If @code{F77} is not already
set in the environment, then check for @code{g77} and @code{f77}, and
then some other names, and finally @code{f2c}. Set the output variable
@code{F77} to the name of the compiler found.
This macro may, however, be invoked with an optional first argument
which, if specified, must be a space separated list of Fortran 77
compilers to search for. This just gives the user an opportunity to
specify an alternative search list for the Fortran 77 compiler. For
example, if you didn't like the default order, then you could invoke
@code{AC_PROG_F77} like this:
@example
AC_PROG_F77(fl32 f77 fort77 xlf cf77 g77 f90 xlf90 f2c)
@end example
If using @code{g77} (the @sc{gnu} Fortran 77 compiler), then
@code{AC_PROG_F77} will set the shell variable @code{G77} to @samp{yes}.
If the output variable @code{FFLAGS} was not already set in the
environment, then set it to @samp{-g -02} for @code{g77} (or @samp{-O2}
where @code{g77} does not accept @samp{-g}). Otherwise, set
@code{FFLAGS} to @samp{-g} for all other Fortran 77 compilers.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_F77_C_O
@maindex PROG_F77_C_O
@cvindex F77_NO_MINUS_C_MINUS_O
Test if the Fortran 77 compiler accepts the options @samp{-c} and
@samp{-o} simultaneously, and define @code{F77_NO_MINUS_C_MINUS_O} if it
does not.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROG_GCC_TRADITIONAL
@maindex PROG_GCC_TRADITIONAL
@ovindex CC
Add @samp{-traditional} to output variable @code{CC} if using the
@sc{gnu} C compiler and @code{ioctl} does not work properly without
@samp{-traditional}. That usually happens when the fixed header files
have not been installed on an old system. Since recent versions of the
@sc{gnu} C compiler fix the header files automatically when installed,
this is becoming a less prevalent problem.
@end defmac
@node C Compiler Characteristics, Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics, Compilers and Preprocessors, Existing Tests
@section C Compiler Characteristics
The following macros check for C compiler or machine architecture
features. To check for characteristics not listed here, use
@code{AC_TRY_COMPILE} (@pxref{Examining Syntax}) or @code{AC_TRY_RUN}
(@pxref{Run Time})
@defmac AC_C_BIGENDIAN
@maindex C_BIGENDIAN
@cvindex WORDS_BIGENDIAN
@cindex Endianness
If words are stored with the most significant byte first (like Motorola
and SPARC, but not Intel and VAX, CPUs), define @code{WORDS_BIGENDIAN}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_CONST
@maindex C_CONST
@cvindex const
If the C compiler does not fully support the @sc{ansi} C qualifier
@code{const}, define @code{const} to be empty. Some C compilers that do
not define @code{__STDC__} do support @code{const}; some compilers that
define @code{__STDC__} do not completely support @code{const}. Programs
can simply use @code{const} as if every C compiler supported it; for
those that don't, the @file{Makefile} or configuration header file will
define it as empty.
Occasionally installers use a C++ compiler to compile C code, typically
because they lack a C compiler. This causes problems with @code{const},
because C and C++ treat @code{const} differently. For example:
@example
const int foo;
@end example
@noindent
is valid in C but not in C++. These differences unfortunately cannot be
papered over by defining @code{const} to be empty.
If @code{autoconf} detects this situation, it leaves @code{const} alone,
as this generally yields better results in practice. However, using a
C++ compiler to compile C code is not recommended or supported, and
installers who run into trouble in this area should get a C compiler
like GCC to compile their C code.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_VOLATILE
@maindex C_VOLATILE
@cvindex volatile
If the C compiler does not understand the keyword @code{volatile},
define @code{volatile} to be empty. Programs can simply use
@code{volatile} as if every C compiler supported it; for those that do
not, the @file{Makefile} or configuration header will define it as
empty.
If the correctness of your program depends on the semantics of
@code{volatile}, simply defining it to be empty does, in a sense, break
your code. However, given that the compiler does not support
@code{volatile}, you are at its mercy anyway. At least your
program will compile, when it wouldn't before.
In general, the @code{volatile} keyword is a feature of @sc{ansi} C, so
you might expect that @code{volatile} is available only when
@code{__STDC__} is defined. However, Ultrix 4.3's native compiler does
support volatile, but does not defined @code{__STDC__}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_INLINE
@maindex C_INLINE
@cvindex inline
If the C compiler supports the keyword @code{inline}, do nothing.
Otherwise define @code{inline} to @code{__inline__} or @code{__inline}
if it accepts one of those, otherwise define @code{inline} to be empty.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_CHAR_UNSIGNED
@maindex C_CHAR_UNSIGNED
@cvindex __CHAR_UNSIGNED__
If the C type @code{char} is unsigned, define @code{__CHAR_UNSIGNED__},
unless the C compiler predefines it.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_LONG_DOUBLE
@maindex C_LONG_DOUBLE
@cvindex HAVE_LONG_DOUBLE
If the C compiler supports the @code{long double} type, define
@code{HAVE_LONG_DOUBLE}. Some C compilers that do not define
@code{__STDC__} do support the @code{long double} type; some compilers
that define @code{__STDC__} do not support @code{long double}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_STRINGIZE
@maindex C_STRINGIZE
@cvindex HAVE_STRINGIZE
If the C preprocessor supports the stringizing operator, define
@code{HAVE_STRINGIZE}. The stringizing operator is @samp{#} and is
found in macros such as this:
@example
#define x(y) #y
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_PROTOTYPES
@maindex C_PROTOTYPES
@cvindex PROTOTYPES
@cvindex PARAMS
Check to see if function prototypes are understood by the compiler. If
so, define @samp{PROTOTYPES}. In the case the compiler does not handle
prototypes, you should use @code{ansi2knr}, which comes with the
Ghostscript distribution, to unprotoize function definitions. For
function prototypes, you should first define @code{PARAMS}:
@example
#ifndef PARAMS
# if PROTOTYPES
# define PARAMS(protos) protos
# else /* no PROTOTYPES */
# define PARAMS(protos) ()
# endif /* no PROTOTYPES */
#endif
@end example
@noindent
then use it this way:
@example
size_t my_strlen PARAMS ((const char *));
@end example
@end defmac
@c FIXME: What the heck is this macro doing here? Move it out of
@c the way, in its proper section!!!
@defmac AC_CHECK_SIZEOF (@var{type}, @ovar{unused}, @ovar{includes})
@maindex CHECK_SIZEOF
Define @code{SIZEOF_@var{type}} (@pxref{Standard Symbols}) to be the
size in bytes of @var{type}. If @samp{type} is unknown, it gets a size
of 0. If no @var{includes} are specified, the default includes are used
(@pxref{Default Includes}). If you provide @var{include}, make sure to
include @file{stdio.h} which is required for this macro to run.
This macro now works even when cross-compiling. The @var{unused}
argument was used when cross-compiling.
For example, the call
@example
AC_CHECK_SIZEOF(int *)
@end example
@noindent
defines @code{SIZEOF_INT_P} to be 8 on DEC Alpha AXP systems.
@end defmac
@node Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics, System Services, C Compiler Characteristics, Existing Tests
@section Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics
The following macros check for Fortran 77 compiler characteristics. To
check for characteristics not listed here, use @code{AC_TRY_COMPILE}
(@pxref{Examining Syntax}) or @code{AC_TRY_RUN} (@pxref{Run Time}),
making sure to first set the current language to Fortran 77
@code{AC_LANG_FORTRAN77} (@pxref{Language Choice}).
@defmac AC_F77_LIBRARY_LDFLAGS
@maindex F77_LIBRARY_LDFLAGS
@ovindex FLIBS
Determine the linker flags (e.g. @samp{-L} and @samp{-l}) for the
@dfn{Fortran 77 intrinsic and run-time libraries} that are required to
successfully link a Fortran 77 program or shared library. The output
variable @code{FLIBS} is set to these flags.
This macro is intended to be used in those situations when it is
necessary to mix, e.g. C++ and Fortran 77 source code into a single
program or shared library (@pxref{Mixing Fortran 77 With C and C++,,,
automake, GNU Automake}).
For example, if object files from a C++ and Fortran 77 compiler must be
linked together, then the C++ compiler/linker must be used for linking
(since special C++-ish things need to happen at link time like calling
global constructors, instantiating templates, enabling exception
support, etc.).
However, the Fortran 77 intrinsic and run-time libraries must be linked
in as well, but the C++ compiler/linker doesn't know by default how to
add these Fortran 77 libraries. Hence, the macro
@code{AC_F77_LIBRARY_LDFLAGS} was created to determine these Fortran 77
libraries.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_F77_NAME_MANGLING
@maindex F77_NAME_MANGLING
Test for the name mangling scheme used by the Fortran 77 compiler. This
macro is used by @code{AC_F77_FUNC_WRAPPER} (@pxref{Fortran 77 Compiler
Characteristics}, for more information).
Two variables are set by this macro:
@table @code
@item f77_case
Set to either @samp{upper} or @samp{lower}, depending on whether the
Fortran 77 compiler translates the case of identifiers to either
uppercase or lowercase.
@item f77_underscore
Set to either @samp{no}, @samp{single} or @samp{double}, depending on
how the Fortran 77 compiler appends underscores (i.e. @code{_}) to
identifiers, if at all.
If no underscores are appended, then the value is @samp{no}.
If a single underscore is appended, even with identifiers which already
contain an underscore somewhere in their name, then the value is
@samp{single}.
If a single underscore is appended @emph{and} two underscores are
appended to identifiers which already contain an underscore somewhere in
their name, then the value is @samp{double}.
@end table
@end defmac
@defmac AC_F77_FUNC_WRAPPER
@maindex F77_FUNC_WRAPPER
@cvindex F77_FUNC
@cvindex F77_FUNC_
Defines C macros @code{F77_FUNC(name,NAME)} and
@code{F77_FUNC_(name,NAME)} to properly mangle the names of C
identifiers, and C identifiers with underscores, respectively, so that
they match the name mangling scheme used by the Fortran 77 compiler.
Fortran 77 is case-insensitive, and in order to achieve this the Fortran
77 compiler converts all identifiers into a canonical case and format.
To call a Fortran 77 subroutine from C or to write a C function that is
callable from Fortran 77, the C program must explicitly use identifiers
in the format expected by the Fortran 77 compiler. In order to do this,
one simply wraps all C identifiers in one of the macros provided by
@code{AC_F77_FUNC_WRAPPER}. For example, suppose you have the following
Fortran 77 subroutine:
@example
subroutine foobar(x,y)
double precision x, y
y = 3.14159 * x
return
end
@end example
You would then declare its prototype in C as:
@example
#ifdef F77_FUNC
# define FOOBAR_F77 F77_FUNC(foobar,FOOBAR)
#endif
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" /* prevent C++ name mangling */
#endif
void FOOBAR_F77(double *x, double *y);
@end example
Note that we pass both the lowercase and uppercase versions of the
function name to @code{F77_FUNC} so that it can select the right one.
Note also that all parameters to Fortran 77 routines are passed as
pointers (@pxref{Mixing Fortran 77 With C and C++,,, automake, GNU
Automake}).
Although Autoconf tries to be intelligent about detecting the
name-mangling scheme of the Fortran 77 compiler, there may be Fortran 77
compilers that it doesn't support yet. It is therefore recommended that
you test whether the @code{F77_FUNC} and @code{F77_FUNC_} macros are
defined, as we have done in the example above.
Now, to call that routine from a C program, we would do something like:
@example
@{
double x = 2.7183, y;
FOOBAR_F77(&x, &y);
@}
@end example
If the Fortran 77 identifier contains an underscore
(e.g. @code{foo_bar}), you should use @code{F77_FUNC_} instead of
@code{F77_FUNC} (with the same arguments). This is because some Fortran
77 compilers mangle names differently if they contain an underscore.
The @code{AC_F77_FUNC_WRAPPER} macro uses the
@code{AC_F77_NAME_MANGLING} macro to determine this automatically
(@pxref{Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics}, for more information).
@end defmac
@node System Services, UNIX Variants, Fortran 77 Compiler Characteristics, Existing Tests
@section System Services
The following macros check for operating system services or capabilities.
@defmac AC_PATH_X
@maindex PATH_X
Try to locate the X Window System include files and libraries. If the
user gave the command line options @samp{--x-includes=@var{dir}} and
@samp{--x-libraries=@var{dir}}, use those directories. If either or
both were not given, get the missing values by running @code{xmkmf} on a
trivial @file{Imakefile} and examining the @file{Makefile} that it
produces. If that fails (such as if @code{xmkmf} is not present), look
for them in several directories where they often reside. If either
method is successful, set the shell variables @code{x_includes} and
@code{x_libraries} to their locations, unless they are in directories
the compiler searches by default.
If both methods fail, or the user gave the command line option
@samp{--without-x}, set the shell variable @code{no_x} to @samp{yes};
otherwise set it to the empty string.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PATH_XTRA
@maindex PATH_XTRA
@ovindex X_CFLAGS
@ovindex X_LIBS
@ovindex X_EXTRA_LIBS
@ovindex X_PRE_LIBS
An enhanced version of @code{AC_PATH_X}. It adds the C compiler flags that
X needs to output variable @code{X_CFLAGS}, and the X linker flags to
@code{X_LIBS}. If X is not available, adds @samp{-DX_DISPLAY_MISSING} to
@code{X_CFLAGS}.
This macro also checks for special libraries that some systems need in
order to compile X programs. It adds any that the system needs to
output variable @code{X_EXTRA_LIBS}. And it checks for special X11R6
libraries that need to be linked with before @samp{-lX11}, and adds any
found to the output variable @code{X_PRE_LIBS}.
@c This is an incomplete kludge. Make a real way to do it.
@c If you need to check for other X functions or libraries yourself, then
@c after calling this macro, add the contents of @code{X_EXTRA_LIBS} to
@c @code{LIBS} temporarily, like this: (FIXME - add example)
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SYS_INTERPRETER
@maindex SYS_INTERPRETER
Check whether the system supports starting scripts with a line of the
form @samp{#! /bin/csh} to select the interpreter to use for the script.
After running this macro, shell code in @code{configure.in} can check
the shell variable @code{interpval}; it will be set to @samp{yes}
if the system supports @samp{#!}, @samp{no} if not.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SYS_LONG_FILE_NAMES
@maindex SYS_LONG_FILE_NAMES
@cvindex HAVE_LONG_FILE_NAMES
If the system supports file names longer than 14 characters, define
@code{HAVE_LONG_FILE_NAMES}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SYS_RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS
@maindex SYS_RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS
@cvindex HAVE_RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS
If the system automatically restarts a system call that is interrupted
by a signal, define @code{HAVE_RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS}. This macro does
not check if system calls are restarted in general--it tests whether a
signal handler installed with @code{signal} (but not @code{sigaction})
causes system calls to be restarted. It does not test if system calls
can be restarted when interrupted by signals that have no handler.
@end defmac
@node UNIX Variants, , System Services, Existing Tests
@section @sc{unix} Variants
The following macros check for certain operating systems that need
special treatment for some programs, due to exceptional oddities in
their header files or libraries. These macros are warts; they will be
replaced by a more systematic approach, based on the functions they make
available or the environments they provide.
@defmac AC_AIX
@maindex AIX
@cvindex _ALL_SOURCE
If on AIX, define @code{_ALL_SOURCE}. Allows the use of some @sc{bsd}
functions. Should be called before any macros that run the C compiler.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ISC_POSIX
@maindex ISC_POSIX
@cvindex _POSIX_SOURCE
@ovindex CC
If on a POSIXized ISC @sc{unix}, define @code{_POSIX_SOURCE} and add
@samp{-posix} (for the @sc{gnu} C compiler) or @samp{-Xp} (for other C
compilers) to output variable @code{CC}. This allows the use of
@sc{posix} facilities. Must be called after @code{AC_PROG_CC} and
before any other macros that run the C compiler.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MINIX
@maindex MINIX
@cvindex _MINIX
@cvindex _POSIX_SOURCE
@cvindex _POSIX_1_SOURCE
If on Minix, define @code{_MINIX} and @code{_POSIX_SOURCE} and define
@code{_POSIX_1_SOURCE} to be 2. This allows the use of @sc{posix}
facilities. Should be called before any macros that run the C compiler.
@end defmac
@c ========================================================= Writing Tests
@node Writing Tests, Results, Existing Tests, Top
@chapter Writing Tests
If the existing feature tests don't do something you need, you have to
write new ones. These macros are the building blocks. They provide
ways for other macros to check whether various kinds of features are
available and report the results.
This chapter contains some suggestions and some of the reasons why the
existing tests are written the way they are. You can also learn a lot
about how to write Autoconf tests by looking at the existing ones. If
something goes wrong in one or more of the Autoconf tests, this
information can help you understand the assumptions behind them, which
might help you figure out how to best solve the problem.
These macros check the output of the C compiler system. They do
not cache the results of their tests for future use (@pxref{Caching
Results}), because they don't know enough about the information they are
checking for to generate a cache variable name. They also do not print
any messages, for the same reason. The checks for particular kinds of C
features call these macros and do cache their results and print messages
about what they're checking for.
When you write a feature test that could be applicable to more than one
software package, the best thing to do is encapsulate it in a new macro.
@xref{Writing Macros}, for how to do that.
@menu
* Examining Declarations:: Detecting header files and declarations
* Examining Syntax:: Detecting language syntax features
* Examining Libraries:: Detecting functions and global variables
* Run Time:: Testing for run-time features
* Portable Shell:: Shell script portability pitfalls
* Multiple Cases:: Tests for several possible values
* Language Choice:: Selecting which language to use for testing
@end menu
@node Examining Declarations, Examining Syntax, Writing Tests, Writing Tests
@section Examining Declarations
The macro @code{AC_TRY_CPP} is used to check whether particular header
files exist. You can check for one at a time, or more than one if you
need several header files to all exist for some purpose.
@defmac AC_TRY_CPP (@var{includes}, @ovar{action-if-true}, @ovar{action-if-false})
@maindex TRY_CPP
@var{includes} is C or C++ @code{#include} statements and declarations,
on which shell variable, back quote, and backslash substitutions are
performed. (Actually, it can be any C program, but other statements are
probably not useful.) If the preprocessor produces no error messages
while processing it, run shell commands @var{action-if-true}. Otherwise
run shell commands @var{action-if-false}.
This macro uses @code{CPPFLAGS}, but not @code{CFLAGS}, because
@samp{-g}, @samp{-O}, etc. are not valid options to many C
preprocessors.
@end defmac
Here is how to find out whether a header file contains a particular
declaration, such as a typedef, a structure, a structure member, or a
function. Use @code{AC_EGREP_HEADER} instead of running @code{grep}
directly on the header file; on some systems the symbol might be defined
in another header file that the file you are checking @samp{#include}s.
@defmac AC_EGREP_HEADER (@var{pattern}, @var{header-file}, @var{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex EGREP_HEADER
If the output of running the preprocessor on the system header file
@var{header-file} matches the @code{egrep} regular expression
@var{pattern}, execute shell commands @var{action-if-found}, otherwise
execute @var{action-if-not-found}.
@end defmac
To check for C preprocessor symbols, either defined by header files or
predefined by the C preprocessor, use @code{AC_EGREP_CPP}. Here is an
example of the latter:
@example
AC_EGREP_CPP(yes,
[#ifdef _AIX
yes
#endif
], is_aix=yes, is_aix=no)
@end example
@defmac AC_EGREP_CPP (@var{pattern}, @var{program}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex EGREP_CPP
@var{program} is the text of a C or C++ program, on which shell
variable, back quote, and backslash substitutions are performed. If the
output of running the preprocessor on @var{program} matches the
@code{egrep} regular expression @var{pattern}, execute shell commands
@var{action-if-found}, otherwise execute @var{action-if-not-found}.
This macro calls @code{AC_PROG_CPP} or @code{AC_PROG_CXXCPP} (depending
on which language is current, @pxref{Language Choice}), if it hasn't
been called already.
@end defmac
@node Examining Syntax, Examining Libraries, Examining Declarations, Writing Tests
@section Examining Syntax
To check for a syntax feature of the C, C++ or Fortran 77 compiler, such
as whether it recognizes a certain keyword, use @code{AC_TRY_COMPILE} to
try to compile a small program that uses that feature. You can also use
it to check for structures and structure members that are not present on
all systems.
@defmac AC_TRY_COMPILE (@var{includes}, @var{function-body}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex TRY_COMPILE
Create a C, C++ or Fortran 77 test program (depending on which language
is current, @pxref{Language Choice}), to see whether a function whose
body consists of @var{function-body} can be compiled.
For C and C++, @var{includes} is any @code{#include} statements needed
by the code in @var{function-body} (@var{includes} will be ignored if
the currently selected language is Fortran 77). This macro also uses
@code{CFLAGS} or @code{CXXFLAGS} if either C or C++ is the currently
selected language, as well as @code{CPPFLAGS}, when compiling. If
Fortran 77 is the currently selected language then @code{FFLAGS} will be
used when compiling.
If the file compiles successfully, run shell commands
@var{action-if-found}, otherwise run @var{action-if-not-found}.
This macro does not try to link; use @code{AC_TRY_LINK} if you need to
do that (@pxref{Examining Libraries}).
@end defmac
@node Examining Libraries, Run Time, Examining Syntax, Writing Tests
@section Examining Libraries
To check for a library, a function, or a global variable, Autoconf
@code{configure} scripts try to compile and link a small program that
uses it. This is unlike Metaconfig, which by default uses @code{nm}
or @code{ar} on the C library to try to figure out which functions are
available. Trying to link with the function is usually a more reliable
approach because it avoids dealing with the variations in the options
and output formats of @code{nm} and @code{ar} and in the location of the
standard libraries. It also allows configuring for cross-compilation or
checking a function's runtime behavior if needed. On the other hand, it
can be slower than scanning the libraries once.
A few systems have linkers that do not return a failure exit status when
there are unresolved functions in the link. This bug makes the
configuration scripts produced by Autoconf unusable on those systems.
However, some of them can be given options that make the exit status
correct. This is a problem that Autoconf does not currently handle
automatically. If users encounter this problem, they might be able to
solve it by setting @code{LDFLAGS} in the environment to pass whatever
options the linker needs (for example, @samp{-Wl,-dn} on MIPS RISC/OS).
@code{AC_TRY_LINK} is used to compile test programs to test for
functions and global variables. It is also used by @code{AC_CHECK_LIB}
to check for libraries (@pxref{Libraries}), by adding the library being
checked for to @code{LIBS} temporarily and trying to link a small
program.
@defmac AC_TRY_LINK (@var{includes}, @var{function-body}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex TRY_LINK
Depending on the current language (@pxref{Language Choice}), create a
test program to see whether a function whose body consists of
@var{function-body} can be compiled and linked.
For C and C++, @var{includes} is any @code{#include} statements needed
by the code in @var{function-body} (@var{includes} will be ignored if
the currently selected language is Fortran 77). This macro also uses
@code{CFLAGS} or @code{CXXFLAGS} if either C or C++ is the currently
selected language, as well as @code{CPPFLAGS}, when compiling. If
Fortran 77 is the currently selected language then @code{FFLAGS} will be
used when compiling. However, both @code{LDFLAGS} and @code{LIBS} will
be used during linking in all cases.
If the file compiles and links successfully, run shell commands
@var{action-if-found}, otherwise run @var{action-if-not-found}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TRY_LINK_FUNC (@var{function}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex TRY_LINK_FUNC
Depending on the current language (@pxref{Language Choice}), create a
test program to see whether a program whose body consists of
a prototype of and a call to @var{function} can be compiled and linked.
If the file compiles and links successfully, run shell commands
@var{action-if-found}, otherwise run @var{action-if-not-found}.
@end defmac
@node Run Time, Portable Shell, Examining Libraries, Writing Tests
@section Checking Run Time Behavior
Sometimes you need to find out how a system performs at run time, such
as whether a given function has a certain capability or bug. If you
can, make such checks when your program runs instead of when it is
configured. You can check for things like the machine's endianness when
your program initializes itself.
If you really need to test for a run-time behavior while configuring,
you can write a test program to determine the result, and compile and
run it using @code{AC_TRY_RUN}. Avoid running test programs if
possible, because using them prevents people from configuring your
package for cross-compiling.
@menu
* Test Programs:: Running test programs
* Guidelines:: General rules for writing test programs
* Test Functions:: Avoiding pitfalls in test programs
@end menu
@node Test Programs, Guidelines, Run Time, Run Time
@subsection Running Test Programs
Use the following macro if you need to test run-time behavior of the
system while configuring.
@defmac AC_TRY_RUN (@var{program}, @ovar{action-if-true}, @ovar{action-if-false}, @ovar{action-if-cross-compiling})
@maindex TRY_RUN
@var{program} is the text of a C program, on which shell variable and
back quote substitutions are performed. If it compiles and links
successfully and returns an exit status of 0 when executed, run shell
commands @var{action-if-true}. Otherwise run shell commands
@var{action-if-false}; the exit status of the program is available in
the shell variable @samp{$?}. This macro uses @code{CFLAGS} or
@code{CXXFLAGS}, @code{CPPFLAGS}, @code{LDFLAGS}, and @code{LIBS} when
compiling.
If the C compiler being used does not produce executables that run on
the system where @code{configure} is being run, then the test program is
not run. If the optional shell commands @var{action-if-cross-compiling}
are given, they are run instead. Otherwise, @code{configure} prints
an error message and exits.
@end defmac
Try to provide a pessimistic default value to use when cross-compiling
makes run-time tests impossible. You do this by passing the optional
last argument to @code{AC_TRY_RUN}. @code{autoconf} prints a warning
message when creating @code{configure} each time it encounters a call to
@code{AC_TRY_RUN} with no @var{action-if-cross-compiling} argument
given. You may ignore the warning, though users will not be able to
configure your package for cross-compiling. A few of the macros
distributed with Autoconf produce this warning message.
To configure for cross-compiling you can also choose a value for those
parameters based on the canonical system name (@pxref{Manual
Configuration}). Alternatively, set up a test results cache file with
the correct values for the host system (@pxref{Caching Results}).
To provide a default for calls of @code{AC_TRY_RUN} that are embedded in
other macros, including a few of the ones that come with Autoconf, you
can call @code{AC_PROG_CC} before running them. Then, if the shell
variable @code{cross_compiling} is set to @samp{yes}, use an alternate
method to get the results instead of calling the macros.
@node Guidelines, Test Functions, Test Programs, Run Time
@subsection Guidelines for Test Programs
Test programs should not write anything to the standard output. They
should return 0 if the test succeeds, nonzero otherwise, so that success
can be distinguished easily from a core dump or other failure;
segmentation violations and other failures produce a nonzero exit
status. Test programs should @code{exit}, not @code{return}, from
@code{main}, because on some systems (old Suns, at least) the argument
to @code{return} in @code{main} is ignored.
Test programs can use @code{#if} or @code{#ifdef} to check the values of
preprocessor macros defined by tests that have already run. For
example, if you call @code{AC_HEADER_STDC}, then later on in
@file{configure.in} you can have a test program that includes an
@sc{ansi} C header file conditionally:
@example
@group
#if STDC_HEADERS
# include <stdlib.h>
#endif
@end group
@end example
If a test program needs to use or create a data file, give it a name
that starts with @file{conftest}, such as @file{conftestdata}. The
@code{configure} script cleans up by running @samp{rm -rf conftest*}
after running test programs and if the script is interrupted.
@node Test Functions, , Guidelines, Run Time
@subsection Test Functions
Function declarations in test programs should have a prototype
conditionalized for C++. In practice, though, test programs rarely need
functions that take arguments.
@example
#ifdef __cplusplus
foo (int i)
#else
foo (i) int i;
#endif
@end example
Functions that test programs declare should also be conditionalized for
C++, which requires @samp{extern "C"} prototypes. Make sure to not
include any header files containing clashing prototypes.
@example
#ifdef __cplusplus
extern "C" void *malloc (size_t);
#else
char *malloc ();
#endif
@end example
If a test program calls a function with invalid parameters (just to see
whether it exists), organize the program to ensure that it never invokes
that function. You can do this by calling it in another function that is
never invoked. You can't do it by putting it after a call to
@code{exit}, because GCC version 2 knows that @code{exit} never returns
and optimizes out any code that follows it in the same block.
If you include any header files, make sure to call the functions
relevant to them with the correct number of arguments, even if they are
just 0, to avoid compilation errors due to prototypes. GCC version 2
has internal prototypes for several functions that it automatically
inlines; for example, @code{memcpy}. To avoid errors when checking for
them, either pass them the correct number of arguments or redeclare them
with a different return type (such as @code{char}).
@node Portable Shell, Multiple Cases, Run Time, Writing Tests
@section Portable Shell Programming
When writing your own checks, there are some shell script programming
techniques you should avoid in order to make your code portable. The
Bourne shell and upward-compatible shells like Bash and the Korn shell
have evolved over the years, but to prevent trouble, do not take
advantage of features that were added after @sc{unix} version 7, circa
1977. You should not use shell functions, aliases, negated character
classes, or other features that are not found in all Bourne-compatible
shells; restrict yourself to the lowest common denominator. Even
@code{unset} is not supported by all shells! Also, include a space
after the exclamation point in interpreter specifications, like this:
@example
#! /usr/bin/perl
@end example
@noindent
If you omit the space before the path, then 4.2@sc{bsd} based systems
(such as Sequent DYNIX) will ignore the line, because they interpret
@samp{#! /} as a 4-byte magic number.
The set of external programs you should run in a @code{configure} script
is fairly small. @xref{Utilities in Makefiles,, Utilities in
Makefiles, standards, GNU Coding Standards}, for the list. This
restriction allows users to start out with a fairly small set of
programs and build the rest, avoiding too many interdependencies between
packages.
Some of these external utilities have a portable subset of features, see
@ref{Limitations of Usual Tools}.
@menu
* Shellology:: A zoology of shells
* Special Shell Variables:: Variables you should not change
* Shell Substitutions:: Test and assign
* Limitations of Builtins:: Portable use of not so portable /bin/sh
* Limitations of Usual Tools:: Portable use of portable tools
@end menu
@node Shellology, Special Shell Variables, Portable Shell, Portable Shell
@subsection Shellology
There are several families of shells, most prominently the Bourne
family and the C shell family which are deeply incompatible. If you
want to write portable shell scripts, avoid members of the C shell
family.
Below we describe some of the members of the Bourne shell family.
@table @asis
@item @command{bash}
@cindex @command{bash}
To detect whether you are running @command{bash}, test if
@code{BASH_VERSION} is set. To disable its extensions and require
@sc{posix} compatibility, run @samp{set -o posix}. @xref{Bash POSIX
Mode,, Bash @sc{posix} Mode, bash, The GNU Bash Reference Manual}, for
details.
@item @command{zsh}
@cindex @command{zsh}
To detect whether you are running @command{zsh}, test if
@code{ZSH_VERSION} is set. By default @command{zsh} is @emph{not}
compatible with the Bourne shell: you have to run @samp{emulate sh} and
set @code{NULLCMD} to @samp{:}. @xref{Compatibility,, Compatibility,
zsh, The Z Shell Manual}, for details.
@end table
@node Special Shell Variables, Shell Substitutions, Shellology, Portable Shell
@subsection Special Shell Variables
Some shell variables shall not be used or have a deep influence on the
behavior of the shell. In order to recover a sane behavior from the
shell, some variables should be unset, but @command{unset} is not
portable (@pxref{Limitations of Builtins}) and a fall back value is
needed. We list these values below.
@c Alphabetical order, case insensitive, `A' before `a'.
@table @code
@item CDPATH
@evindex CDPATH
Because when this variable is set @code{cd} is verbose, idioms such as
@samp{abs=`cd $rel && pwd`} break, since @code{abs} receives twice the
path.
@c FIXME: Which shells? How do they behave?
Setting @code{CDPATH} to the empty value is not enough for most shells.
A simple colon is enough but for @code{zsh}, which prefers a leading dot:
@example
zsh-3.1.6 % mkdir foo && (CDPATH=: cd foo)
/tmp/foo
zsh-3.1.6 % (CDPATH=:. cd foo)
/tmp/foo
zsh-3.1.6 % (CDPATH=.: cd foo)
zsh-3.1.6 %
@end example
@noindent
(of course we could just @code{unset} @code{CDPATH}, it also behaves
properly if set to the empty string).
Life wouldn't be so much fun if @command{bash} and @command{zsh} had the
same behavior:
@example
bash-2.02 % (CDPATH=:. cd foo)
bash-2.02 % (CDPATH=.: cd foo)
/tmp/foo
@end example
Therefore a portable solution to neutralize @samp{CDPATH} is
@samp{CDPATH=$@{ZSH_VERSION+.@}:}. Note that since @command{zsh}
support @command{unset}, you may unset @samp{CDPATH} using @samp{:} as a
fall back, see @ref{Limitations of Builtins}.
@item LANG
@itemx LC_ALL
@itemx LC_MESSAGES
@itemx LC_CTYPE
@evindex LANG
@evindex LC_ALL
@evindex LC_MESSAGES
@evindex LC_CTYPE
These must not be set unconditionally because not all systems understand
e.g. @samp{LANG=C} (notably SCO). Fixing @code{LC_MESSAGES} prevents
Solaris @command{sh} from translating var values in @code{set}! Non-C
@code{LC_CTYPE} values break the ctype check. Therefore, run:
@example
test "$@{LANG+set@}" = set && LANG=C && export LANG
test "$@{LC_ALL+set@}" = set && LC_ALL=C && export LC_ALL
test "$@{LC_CTYPE+set@}" = set && LC_CTYPE=C && export LC_CTYPE
test "$@{LC_MESSAGES+set@}" = set && LC_MESSAGES=C && export LC_MESSAGES
@end example
@item NULLCMD
@evindex NULLCMD
When executing the command @samp{>foo}, @command{zsh} executes
@samp{$NULLCMD >foo}. The Bourne shell considers @code{NULLCMD} is
@samp{:}, while @command{zsh}, even in Bourne shell compatibility mode,
sets @code{NULLCMD} to @samp{cat}. If you forgot to set @code{NULLCMD},
your script might be suspended waiting for data on its standard input.
@item status
@evindex status
This variable is an alias to @samp{$?} for @code{zsh} (at least 3.1.6),
hence read-only. Do not use it.
@end table
@node Shell Substitutions, Limitations of Builtins, Special Shell Variables, Portable Shell
@subsection Shell Substitutions
A nonportable shell programming construct is
@example
@var{var}=$@{@var{var}:-@var{value}@}
@end example
@noindent
The intent is to set @var{var} to @var{value} only if it is not already
set, but if @var{var} has any value, even the empty string, to leave it
alone. Old @sc{bsd} shells, including the Ultrix @code{sh}, don't
accept the colon for any shell substitution, and complain and die. A
portable equivalent is
@example
: $@{@var{var}=@var{value}@}
@end example
If the value is a literal string, it should be quoted:
@example
: $@{var='Some words'@}
@end example
@noindent
otherwise some shells, such as on Digital Unix V 5.0, will die because
of a @emph{bad substitution}.
Contrary to a persistent urban legend, the Bourne shell does not
systematically split variables and backquoted expressions, in
particular, the following code:
@example
case "$given_srcdir" in
.) top_srcdir="`echo "$dots" | sed 's,/$,,'`"
*) top_srcdir="$dots$given_srcdir" ;;
esac
@end example
@noindent
is more readable with the right-hand side of the assignments, and the
argument of @code{case} left without quotes:
@example
case $given_srcdir in
.) top_srcdir=`echo "$dots" | sed 's,/$,,'`
*) top_srcdir=$dots$given_srcdir ;;
esac
@end example
@noindent
and in fact it is even @emph{more} portable: in the first case of the
first attempt, the computation of @code{top_srcdir} is not portable,
since not all the shells understand properly @samp{"`... "foo"... `"}.
Worse yet, not all the shells understand @samp{"`... \"foo\"... `"} the
same way: there is just no portable way to use double-quoted strings
inside double-quoted backquoted expressions (Pfew!).
@node Limitations of Builtins, Limitations of Usual Tools, Shell Substitutions, Portable Shell
@subsection Limitations of Shell Builtins
No no, we are serious: some shells do have limitations :)
You should always keep in mind that any built-in or command may support
options, and therefore have a very different behavior with arguments
starting with a dash. For instance, the innocent @samp{echo "$word"}
can give unexpected results when @code{word} starts with a dash. It is
often possible to avoid this problem using @samp{echo "x$word"}, taking
the @samp{x} into account later in the pipe.
@table @asis
@item @command{case}
@cindex @command{case}
Because of a bug in its @code{fnmatch}, @command{bash} fails to handle
properly backslashes in character classes:
@example
bash-2.02$ case /tmp in [/\\]*) echo OK;; esac
bash-2.02$
@end example
@noindent
This is extremely unfortunate, since you are likely to use this code to
handle @sc{unix} or @sc{ms-dos} absolute paths. To workaround this bug,
always put the backslash first:
@example
bash-2.02$ case '\TMP' in [\\/]*) echo OK;; esac
OK
bash-2.02$ case /tmp in [\\/]*) echo OK;; esac
OK
@end example
@item @command{echo}
@cindex @command{echo}
The simple @code{echo} is probably the most surprising source of
portability troubles.
Don't expect any option. @xref{Preset Output Variables}, @code{ECHO_N}
etc. for a means to simulate @samp{-c}.
Do not use backslashes in the arguments, as there is no consensus on
their handling:
On @samp{foo='\n'; echo "$foo" | wc -l}, the @command{sh} of Digital
Unix 4.0, RISC/os 4.52, answer 2, but the Solaris' @command{sh}, Bash
and Zsh (in @command{sh} emulation mode) report 1.
@item @command{exit}
@cindex @command{exit}
Some shell scripts, such as those generated by @command{autoconf}, use a
trap to clean up before exiting. If the last shell command exited with
nonzero status, the trap also exits with nonzero status so that the
invoker can tell that an error occurred.
Unfortunately, in some shells, such as Solaris 8 @command{sh}, an exit
trap ignores the @code{exit} command's status. In these shells, a trap
cannot determine whether it was invoked by plain @code{exit} or by
@code{exit 1}. To work around this problem, use @code{(exit 1); exit}
instead of @samp{exit 1}.
@item @command{export}
@cindex @command{export}
The builtin @command{export} dubs @dfn{environment variable} a shell
variable. Each update of exported variables corresponds to an update of
the environment variables. Conversely, each environment variable
received by the shell when it is launched should be imported as a shell
variable marked as exported.
Alas, pretty many shells, such as Solaris 2.5, IRIX 6.3, IRIX 5.2, AIX
4.1.5 and DU 4.0 forget to @command{export} the environment variables
they receive. As a result two variables are coexisting: the environment
variable, and the shell variable. The following code demonstrates this
failure:
@example
#! /bin/sh
echo $FOO
FOO=bar
echo $FOO
exec /bin/sh $0
@end example
@noindent
when run with FOO=foo in the environment, these shells will print
alternately @samp{foo} and @samp{bar}, although it should only print
@samp{foo} and then a sequence of @samp{bar}s.
Therefore you should @command{export} again each environment variable
you update.
@item @command{test}
@cindex @command{test}
The @code{test} program is the way to perform many file and string
tests. It is often invoked by the alternate name @samp{[}, but using
that name in Autoconf code is asking for trouble since it is an
@code{m4} quote character.
If you need to make multiple checks using @code{test}, combine them with
the shell operators @samp{&&} and @samp{||} instead of using the
@code{test} operators @samp{-a} and @samp{-o}. On System V, the
precedence of @samp{-a} and @samp{-o} is wrong relative to the unary
operators; consequently, @sc{posix} does not specify them, so using them
is nonportable. If you combine @samp{&&} and @samp{||} in the same
statement, keep in mind that they have equal precedence.
@item @command{test} (files)
To enable @code{configure} scripts to support cross-compilation, they
shouldn't do anything that tests features of the build system instead of
the host system. But occasionally you may find it necessary to check
whether some arbitrary file exists. To do so, use @samp{test -f} or
@samp{test -r}. Do not use @samp{test -x}, because @sc{4.3bsd} does not
have it.
@item @command{test} (strings)
Avoid @samp{test "@var{string}"}, in particular if @var{string} might
start with a dash, since @code{test} might interpret its argument as an
option (e.g., @samp{@var{string} = "-n"}).
Contrary to a common belief, @samp{test -n @var{string}} and @samp{test
-z @var{string}} @strong{are} portable, nevertheless many shells (such
as Solaris 2.5, AIX 3.2, UNICOS 10.0.0.6, Digital Unix 4 etc.) have
bizarre precedence and may be confused if @var{string} looks like an
operator:
@example
$ test -n =
test: argument expected
@end example
If there are risks, use @samp{test "x@var{string}" = x} or @samp{test
"x@var{string}" != x} instead.
It is frequent to find variations of the following idiom:
@example
test -n "`echo $ac_feature | sed 's/[-a-zA-Z0-9_]//g'`" &&
@var{action}
@end example
@noindent
to take an action when a token matches a given pattern. Such constructs
are always avoidable, and should always be. Rather, use:
@example
echo "$ac_feature" | grep '[^-a-zA-Z0-9_]' >/dev/null 2>&1 &&
@var{action}
@end example
@noindent
Where possible, use @code{case} since, being a shell builtin, it is
faster:
@example
case $ac_feature in
*[!-a-zA-Z0-9_]*) @var{action};;
esac
@end example
Alas, negated character classes are probably not portable, although no
shell is known not to support the @sc{posix.2} syntax @samp{[!...]}
(when in interactive mode, @command{zsh} is confused by the
@samp{[!...]} syntax and looks for an event in its history because of
@samp{!}). Many shell do not support the alternative syntax
@samp{[^...]} (Solaris, Digital Unix etc.).
One solution can be:
@example
expr "$ac_feature" : '.*[^-a-zA-Z0-9_]' >/dev/null &&
@var{action}
@end example
@noindent
or better yet
@example
expr "x$ac_feature" : '.*[^-a-zA-Z0-9_]' >/dev/null &&
@var{action}
@end example
@samp{expr "X@var{foo}" : "X@var{bar}"} is more robust than @samp{echo
"X@var{foo}" | grep "^X@var{bar}"}, because it avoids problems when
@samp{@var{foo}} contains backslashes.
@item @command{unset}
@cindex @command{unset}
You cannot assume the support of @command{unset}, nevertheless, because
it is extremely useful to disable embarrassing variables such as
@code{CDPATH} or @code{LANG}, you can test for its existence, and use
it @emph{provided} you give a neutralizing value when @command{unset} is
not supported:
@example
if (unset FOO) >/dev/null 2>&1; then
unset=unset
else
unset=false
fi
$unset CDPATH || CDPATH=:
@end example
@xref{Special Shell Variables}, for some neutralizing values. Also, see
@ref{Limitations of Builtins}, documentation of @command{export}, for
the case of environment variables.
@end table
@node Limitations of Usual Tools, , Limitations of Builtins, Portable Shell
@subsection Limitations of Usual Tools
The small set of tools you can expect to find on any machine can still
find some limitations you should be aware of.
@table @asis
@item @command{cat}
@cindex @command{cat}
Don't rely on any option.
@item @command{egrep}
@cindex @command{egrep}
The empty alternative is not portable, use @samp{?} instead. For
instance with Digital Unix v5.0:
@example
> printf "foo\n|foo\n" | egrep '^(|foo|bar)$'
|foo
> printf "bar\nbar|\n" | egrep '^(foo|bar|)$'
bar|
> printf "foo\nfoo|\n|bar\nbar\n" | egrep '^(foo||bar)$'
foo
|bar
@end example
@command{egrep} also suffers the limitations of @command{grep}.
@item @command{expr}
@cindex @command{expr}
Don't use @samp{\?}, @samp{\+} and @samp{\|} in patterns, they are
not supported on Solaris.
No @command{expr} keyword starts with @samp{x}, so use @samp{expr
x"@var{word}" : '@var{regex}'} to keep @command{expr} from
misinterpreting @var{word}.
Don't use @code{length}, @code{substr}, @code{match} and @code{index}.
@item @command{grep}
@cindex @command{grep}
Don't use @samp{grep -s} to suppress output, because @samp{grep -s} on
System V does not suppress output, only error messages. Instead,
redirect the standard output and standard error (in case the file
doesn't exist) of @code{grep} to @file{/dev/null}. Check the exit
status of @code{grep} to determine whether it found a match.
Don't use multiple regexps with @samp{-e}, as some @code{grep} will only
honor the last pattern (eg., IRIX 6.5 and Solaris 2.5.1). Anyway,
Stardent Vistra SVR4 @code{grep} lacks @samp{-e}... Instead, use
alternation and @code{egrep}.
@item @command{ln}
@cindex @command{ln}
Don't rely on @code{ln} having a @samp{-f} option.
@item @command{sed}
@cindex @command{sed}
@code{sed} scripts should not use branch labels longer than 8 characters
and should not contain comments.
@code{sed} input should have reasonably long lines, since some
@code{sed} have an input buffer limited to 4000 bytes.
Alternation, @samp{\|}, is common but not portable.
Nested groups are extremely portable, but there is at least one sed
(System V/68 Base Operating System R3V7.1) which does not support it.
@end table
@node Multiple Cases, Language Choice, Portable Shell, Writing Tests
@section Multiple Cases
Some operations are accomplished in several possible ways, depending on
the @sc{unix} variant. Checking for them essentially requires a ``case
statement''. Autoconf does not directly provide one; however, it is
easy to simulate by using a shell variable to keep track of whether a
way to perform the operation has been found yet.
Here is an example that uses the shell variable @code{fstype} to keep
track of whether the remaining cases need to be checked.
@example
@group
AC_MSG_CHECKING(how to get file system type)
fstype=no
# The order of these tests is important.
AC_TRY_CPP([#include <sys/statvfs.h>
#include <sys/fstyp.h>], [AC_DEFINE(FSTYPE_STATVFS) fstype=SVR4])
if test $fstype = no; then
AC_TRY_CPP([#include <sys/statfs.h>
#include <sys/fstyp.h>], [AC_DEFINE(FSTYPE_USG_STATFS) fstype=SVR3])
fi
if test $fstype = no; then
AC_TRY_CPP([#include <sys/statfs.h>
#include <sys/vmount.h>], [AC_DEFINE(FSTYPE_AIX_STATFS) fstype=AIX])
fi
# (more cases omitted here)
AC_MSG_RESULT($fstype)
@end group
@end example
@node Language Choice, , Multiple Cases, Writing Tests
@section Language Choice
@cindex Language
Packages that use both C and C++ need to test features of both
compilers. Autoconf-generated @code{configure} scripts check for C
features by default. The following macros determine which language's
compiler is used in tests that follow in @file{configure.in}.
@defmac AC_LANG (@var{language})
Do compilation tests using the compiler, preprocessor and file
extensions for the @var{language}. Set the shell variable
@code{cross_compiling} to @samp{yes} or @samp{no} if the compiler is
known to be a cross compiler, empty otherwise.
Support languages are:
@table @samp
@item C
Do compilation tests using @code{CC} and @code{CPP} and use extension
@file{.c} for test programs. Set the shell variable
@code{cross_compiling} to the value computed by @code{AC_PROG_CC} if it
has been run, empty otherwise.
@item C++
Do compilation tests using @code{CXX} and @code{CXXCPP} and use
extension @file{.C} for test programs. Set the shell variable
@code{cross_compiling} to the value computed by @code{AC_PROG_CXX} if
it has been run, empty otherwise.
@item Fortran 77
Do compilation tests using @code{F77} and use extension @file{.f} for
test programs. Set the shell variable @code{cross_compiling} to the
value computed by @code{AC_PROG_F77} if it has been run, empty
otherwise.
@end table
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_PUSH (@var{language})
@maindex LANG_PUSH
Remember the current language (as set by @code{AC_LANG}) on a stack, and
then select the @var{language}. Use this macro and @code{AC_LANG_POP}
in macros that need to temporarily switch to a particular language.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_POP
@maindex LANG_POP
Select the language that is saved on the top of the stack, as set by
@code{AC_LANG_PUSH}, and remove it from the stack.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_REQUIRE_CPP
@maindex REQUIRE_CPP
Ensure that whichever preprocessor would currently be used for tests has
been found. Calls @code{AC_REQUIRE} (@pxref{Prerequisite Macros}) with an
argument of either @code{AC_PROG_CPP} or @code{AC_PROG_CXXCPP},
depending on which language is current.
@end defmac
@c ====================================================== Results of Tests.
@node Results, Writing Macros, Writing Tests, Top
@chapter Results of Tests
Once @code{configure} has determined whether a feature exists, what can
it do to record that information? There are four sorts of things it can
do: define a C preprocessor symbol, set a variable in the output files,
save the result in a cache file for future @code{configure} runs, and
print a message letting the user know the result of the test.
@menu
* Defining Symbols:: Defining C preprocessor symbols
* Setting Output Variables:: Replacing variables in output files
* Caching Results:: Speeding up subsequent @code{configure} runs
* Printing Messages:: Notifying @code{configure} users
@end menu
@node Defining Symbols, Setting Output Variables, Results, Results
@section Defining C Preprocessor Symbols
A common action to take in response to a feature test is to define a C
preprocessor symbol indicating the results of the test. That is done by
calling @code{AC_DEFINE} or @code{AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED}.
By default, @code{AC_OUTPUT} places the symbols defined by these macros
into the output variable @code{DEFS}, which contains an option
@samp{-D@var{symbol}=@var{value}} for each symbol defined. Unlike in
Autoconf version 1, there is no variable @code{DEFS} defined while
@code{configure} is running. To check whether Autoconf macros have
already defined a certain C preprocessor symbol, test the value of the
appropriate cache variable, as in this example:
@example
AC_CHECK_FUNC(vprintf, [AC_DEFINE(HAVE_VPRINTF)])
if test "$ac_cv_func_vprintf" != yes; then
AC_CHECK_FUNC(_doprnt, [AC_DEFINE(HAVE_DOPRNT)])
fi
@end example
If @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS} has been called, then instead of creating
@code{DEFS}, @code{AC_OUTPUT} creates a header file by substituting the
correct values into @code{#define} statements in a template file.
@xref{Configuration Headers}, for more information about this kind of
output.
@defmac AC_DEFINE (@var{variable}, @ovar{value}, @ovar{description})
@maindex DEFINE
Define C preprocessor variable @var{variable}. If @var{value} is given,
set @var{variable} to that value (verbatim), otherwise set it to 1.
@var{value} should not contain literal newlines, and if you are not
using @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS} it should not contain any @samp{#}
characters, as @code{make} tends to eat them. To use a shell variable
(which you need to do in order to define a value containing the
@code{m4} quote characters @samp{[} or @samp{]}), use
@code{AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED} instead. @var{description} is only useful if
you are using @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS}. In this case, @var{description}
is put into the generated @file{config.h.in} as the comment before the
macro define; the macro need not be mentioned in @file{acconfig.h}. The
following example defines the C preprocessor variable @code{EQUATION} to
be the string constant @samp{"$a > $b"}:
@example
AC_DEFINE(EQUATION, "$a > $b")
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED (@var{variable}, @ovar{value}, @ovar{description})
@maindex DEFINE_UNQUOTED
Like @code{AC_DEFINE}, but three shell expansions are
performed---once---on @var{variable} and @var{value}: variable expansion
(@samp{$}), command substitution (@samp{`}), and backslash escaping
(@samp{\}). Single and double quote characters in the value have no
special meaning. Use this macro instead of @code{AC_DEFINE} when
@var{variable} or @var{value} is a shell variable. Examples:
@example
AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(config_machfile, "$machfile")
AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(GETGROUPS_T, $ac_cv_type_getgroups)
AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED($ac_tr_hdr)
@end example
@end defmac
Due to the syntactical bizarreness of the Bourne shell, do not use
semicolons to separate @code{AC_DEFINE} or @code{AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED}
calls from other macro calls or shell code; that can cause syntax errors
in the resulting @code{configure} script. Use either spaces or
newlines. That is, do this:
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADER(elf.h, [AC_DEFINE(SVR4) LIBS="$LIBS -lelf"])
@end example
@noindent
or this:
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADER(elf.h,
[AC_DEFINE(SVR4)
LIBS="$LIBS -lelf"])
@end example
@noindent
instead of this:
@example
AC_CHECK_HEADER(elf.h, [AC_DEFINE(SVR4); LIBS="$LIBS -lelf"])
@end example
@node Setting Output Variables, Caching Results, Defining Symbols, Results
@section Setting Output Variables
One way to record the results of tests is to set @dfn{output variables},
which are shell variables whose values are substituted into files that
@code{configure} outputs. The two macros below create new output
variables. @xref{Preset Output Variables}, for a list of output
variables that are always available.
@defmac AC_SUBST (@var{variable}, @ovar{value})
@maindex SUBST
Create an output variable from a shell variable. Make @code{AC_OUTPUT}
substitute the variable @var{variable} into output files (typically one
or more @file{Makefile}s). This means that @code{AC_OUTPUT} will
replace instances of @samp{@@@var{variable}@@} in input files with the
value that the shell variable @var{variable} has when @code{AC_OUTPUT}
is called. This value of @var{variable} should not contain literal
newlines.
If @var{value} is given, in addition assign it to @samp{variable}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SUBST_FILE (@var{variable})
@maindex SUBST_FILE
Another way to create an output variable from a shell variable. Make
@code{AC_OUTPUT} insert (without substitutions) the contents of the file
named by shell variable @var{variable} into output files. This means
that @code{AC_OUTPUT} will replace instances of
@samp{@@@var{variable}@@} in output files (such as @file{Makefile.in})
with the contents of the file that the shell variable @var{variable}
names when @code{AC_OUTPUT} is called. Set the variable to
@file{/dev/null} for cases that do not have a file to insert.
This macro is useful for inserting @file{Makefile} fragments containing
special dependencies or other @code{make} directives for particular host
or target types into @file{Makefile}s. For example, @file{configure.in}
could contain:
@example
AC_SUBST_FILE(host_frag)
host_frag=$srcdir/conf/sun4.mh
@end example
@noindent
and then a @file{Makefile.in} could contain:
@example
@@host_frag@@
@end example
@end defmac
@node Caching Results, Printing Messages, Setting Output Variables, Results
@section Caching Results
@cindex Cache
To avoid checking for the same features repeatedly in various
@code{configure} scripts (or repeated runs of one script),
@code{configure} saves the results of many of its checks in a @dfn{cache
file}. If, when a @code{configure} script runs, it finds a cache file,
it reads from it the results from previous runs and avoids rerunning
those checks. As a result, @code{configure} can run much faster than if
it had to perform all of the checks every time.
@defmac AC_CACHE_VAL (@var{cache-id}, @var{commands-to-set-it})
@maindex CACHE_VAL
Ensure that the results of the check identified by @var{cache-id} are
available. If the results of the check were in the cache file that was
read, and @code{configure} was not given the @samp{--quiet} or
@samp{--silent} option, print a message saying that the result was
cached; otherwise, run the shell commands @var{commands-to-set-it}.
Those commands should have no side effects except for setting the
variable @var{cache-id}. In particular, they should not call
@code{AC_DEFINE}; the code that follows the call to @code{AC_CACHE_VAL}
should do that, based on the cached value. Also, they should not print
any messages, for example with @code{AC_MSG_CHECKING}; do that before
calling @code{AC_CACHE_VAL}, so the messages are printed regardless of
whether the results of the check are retrieved from the cache or
determined by running the shell commands. If the shell commands are run
to determine the value, the value will be saved in the cache file just
before @code{configure} creates its output files. @xref{Cache
Variable Names}, for how to choose the name of the @var{cache-id} variable.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CACHE_CHECK (@var{message}, @var{cache-id}, @var{commands})
@maindex CACHE_CHECK
A wrapper for @code{AC_CACHE_VAL} that takes care of printing the
messages. This macro provides a convenient shorthand for the most
common way to use these macros. It calls @code{AC_MSG_CHECKING} for
@var{message}, then @code{AC_CACHE_VAL} with the @var{cache-id} and
@var{commands} arguments, and @code{AC_MSG_RESULT} with @var{cache-id}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CACHE_LOAD
@maindex CACHE_LOAD
Loads values from existing cache file, or creates a new cache file if a
cache file is not found. Called automatically from @code{AC_INIT}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CACHE_SAVE
@maindex CACHE_SAVE
Flushes all cached values to the cache file. Called automatically from
@code{AC_OUTPUT}, but it can be quite useful to call
@code{AC_CACHE_SAVE} at key points in configure.in. Doing so
checkpoints the cache in case of an early configure script abort.
@end defmac
@menu
* Cache Variable Names:: Shell variables used in caches
* Cache Files:: Files @code{configure} uses for caching
@end menu
@node Cache Variable Names, Cache Files, Caching Results, Caching Results
@subsection Cache Variable Names
@cindex Cache variable
The names of cache variables should have the following format:
@example
@var{package-prefix}_cv_@var{value-type}_@var{specific-value}_@ovar{additional-options}
@end example
@noindent
for example, @samp{ac_cv_header_stat_broken} or
@samp{ac_cv_prog_gcc_traditional}. The parts of the variable name are:
@table @asis
@item @var{package-prefix}
An abbreviation for your package or organization; the same prefix you
begin local Autoconf macros with, except lowercase by convention.
For cache values used by the distributed Autoconf macros, this value is
@samp{ac}.
@item @code{_cv_}
Indicates that this shell variable is a cache value. This string
@emph{must} be present in the variable name, including the leading
underscore.
@item @var{value-type}
A convention for classifying cache values, to produce a rational naming
system. The values used in Autoconf are listed in @ref{Macro Names}.
@item @var{specific-value}
Which member of the class of cache values this test applies to.
For example, which function (@samp{alloca}), program (@samp{gcc}), or
output variable (@samp{INSTALL}).
@item @var{additional-options}
Any particular behavior of the specific member that this test applies to.
For example, @samp{broken} or @samp{set}. This part of the name may
be omitted if it does not apply.
@end table
The values assigned to cache variables may not contain newlines.
Usually, their values will be boolean (@samp{yes} or @samp{no}) or the
names of files or functions; so this is not an important restriction.
@node Cache Files, , Cache Variable Names, Caching Results
@subsection Cache Files
A cache file is a shell script that caches the results of configure
tests run on one system so they can be shared between configure scripts
and configure runs. It is not useful on other systems. If its contents
are invalid for some reason, the user may delete or edit it.
By default, configure uses no cache file (technically, it uses
@samp{--cache-file=/dev/null}), so as to forestall problems caused by
accidental use of stale cache files.
To enable caching, @code{configure} accepts
@samp{--cache-file=@var{file}} where @var{file} is the name of the cache
file to use, traditionally @file{./config.cache}. The cache file is
created if it does not exist already. When @code{configure} calls
@code{configure} scripts in subdirectories, it uses the
@samp{--cache-file} argument so that they share the same cache.
@xref{Subdirectories}, for information on configuring subdirectories
with the @code{AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS} macro.
@file{config.status} only pays attention to the cache file if it is
given the @samp{--recheck} option, which makes it rerun
@code{configure}.
It is wrong to try to distribute cache files for particular system types.
There is too much room for error in doing that, and too much
administrative overhead in maintaining them. For any features that
can't be guessed automatically, use the standard method of the canonical
system type and linking files (@pxref{Manual Configuration}).
The cache file on a particular system will gradually accumulate whenever
someone runs a @code{configure} script; it will be initially
nonexistent. Running @code{configure} merges the new cache results with
the existing cache file. The site initialization script can specify a
site-wide cache file to use instead of the default, to make it work
transparently, as long as the same C compiler is used every time
(@pxref{Site Defaults}).
If your configure script, or a macro called from configure.in, happens to
abort the configure process, it may be useful to checkpoint the cache a
few times at key points. Doing so will reduce the amount of time it
takes to re-run the configure script with (hopefully) the error that
caused the previous abort corrected.
@example
@r{ ... AC_INIT, etc. ...}
# Checks for programs.
AC_PROG_CC
AC_PROG_GCC_TRADITIONAL
@r{ ... more program checks ...}
AC_CACHE_SAVE
# Checks for libraries.
AC_CHECK_LIB(nsl, gethostbyname)
AC_CHECK_LIB(socket, connect)
@r{ ... more lib checks ...}
AC_CACHE_SAVE
# Might abort...
AM_PATH_GTK(1.0.2,, (exit 1); exit)
AM_PATH_GTKMM(0.9.5,, (exit 1); exit)
@r{ ... AC_OUTPUT, etc. ...}
@end example
@node Printing Messages, , Caching Results, Results
@section Printing Messages
@cindex Messages, from @code{configure}
@code{configure} scripts need to give users running them several kinds
of information. The following macros print messages in ways appropriate
for each kind. The arguments to all of them get enclosed in shell
double quotes, so the shell performs variable and back quote
substitution on them.
These macros are all wrappers around the @code{echo} shell command.
@code{configure} scripts should rarely need to run @code{echo} directly
to print messages for the user. Using these macros makes it easy to
change how and when each kind of message is printed; such changes need
only be made to the macro definitions, and all of the callers change
automatically.
To diagnose static issues, i.e., when @code{autoconf} is run, see
@ref{Reporting Messages}.
@defmac AC_MSG_CHECKING (@var{feature-description})
@maindex MSG_CHECKING
Notify the user that @code{configure} is checking for a particular
feature. This macro prints a message that starts with @samp{checking }
and ends with @samp{...} and no newline. It must be followed by a call
to @code{AC_MSG_RESULT} to print the result of the check and the
newline. The @var{feature-description} should be something like
@samp{whether the Fortran compiler accepts C++ comments} or @samp{for
c89}.
This macro prints nothing if @code{configure} is run with the
@samp{--quiet} or @samp{--silent} option.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MSG_RESULT (@var{result-description})
@maindex MSG_RESULT
Notify the user of the results of a check. @var{result-description} is
almost always the value of the cache variable for the check, typically
@samp{yes}, @samp{no}, or a file name. This macro should follow a call
to @code{AC_MSG_CHECKING}, and the @var{result-description} should be
the completion of the message printed by the call to
@code{AC_MSG_CHECKING}.
This macro prints nothing if @code{configure} is run with the
@samp{--quiet} or @samp{--silent} option.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MSG_ERROR (@var{error-description}, @ovar{exit-status})
@maindex MSG_ERROR
Notify the user of an error that prevents @code{configure} from
completing. This macro prints an error message on the standard error
output and exits @code{configure} with @var{exit-status} (1 by default).
@var{error-description} should be something like @samp{invalid value
$HOME for \$HOME}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MSG_WARN (@var{problem-description})
@maindex MSG_WARN
Notify the @code{configure} user of a possible problem. This macro
prints the message on the standard error output; @code{configure}
continues running afterward, so macros that call @code{AC_MSG_WARN} should
provide a default (back-up) behavior for the situations they warn about.
@var{problem-description} should be something like @samp{ln -s seems to
make hard links}.
@end defmac
@c ========================================================== Writing Macros.
@node Writing Macros, Manual Configuration, Results, Top
@chapter Writing Macros
When you write a feature test that could be applicable to more than one
software package, the best thing to do is encapsulate it in a new macro.
Here are some instructions and guidelines for writing Autoconf macros.
@menu
* Macro Definitions:: Basic format of an Autoconf macro
* Macro Names:: What to call your new macros
* Quoting:: Protecting macros from unwanted expansion
* Reporting Messages:: Notifying @code{autoconf} users
* Dependencies Between Macros:: What to do when macros depend on other macros
@end menu
@node Macro Definitions, Macro Names, Writing Macros, Writing Macros
@section Macro Definitions
@maindex DEFUN
Autoconf macros are defined using the @code{AC_DEFUN} macro, which is
similar to the @code{m4} builtin @code{define} macro. In addition to
defining a macro, @code{AC_DEFUN} adds to it some code which is used to
constrain the order in which macros are called (@pxref{Prerequisite
Macros}).
An Autoconf macro definition looks like this:
@example
AC_DEFUN(@var{macro-name}, [@var{macro-body}])
@end example
@noindent
The square brackets here do not indicate optional text: they should
literally be present in the macro definition to avoid macro expansion
problems (@pxref{Quoting}). You can refer to any arguments passed to
the macro as @samp{$1}, @samp{$2}, etc.
To introduce comments in @code{m4}, use the @code{m4} builtin
@code{dnl}; it causes @code{m4} to discard the text through the next
newline. It is not needed between macro definitions in @file{acsite.m4}
and @file{aclocal.m4}, because all output is discarded until
@code{AC_INIT} is called.
@xref{Definitions,, How to define new macros, m4.info, GNU m4}, for
more complete information on writing @code{m4} macros.
@node Macro Names, Quoting, Macro Definitions, Writing Macros
@section Macro Names
All of the Autoconf macros have all-uppercase names starting with
@samp{AC_} to prevent them from accidentally conflicting with other
text. All shell variables that they use for internal purposes have
mostly-lowercase names starting with @samp{ac_}. To ensure that your
macros don't conflict with present or future Autoconf macros, you should
prefix your own macro names and any shell variables they use with some
other sequence. Possibilities include your initials, or an abbreviation
for the name of your organization or software package.
Most of the Autoconf macros' names follow a structured naming convention
that indicates the kind of feature check by the name. The macro names
consist of several words, separated by underscores, going from most
general to most specific. The names of their cache variables use the
same convention (@pxref{Cache Variable Names}, for more information on
them).
The first word of the name after @samp{AC_} usually tells the category
of feature being tested. Here are the categories used in Autoconf for
specific test macros, the kind of macro that you are more likely to
write. They are also used for cache variables, in all-lowercase. Use
them where applicable; where they're not, invent your own categories.
@table @code
@item C
C language builtin features.
@item DECL
Declarations of C variables in header files.
@item FUNC
Functions in libraries.
@item GROUP
@sc{unix} group owners of files.
@item HEADER
Header files.
@item LIB
C libraries.
@item PATH
The full path names to files, including programs.
@item PROG
The base names of programs.
@item MEMBER
Members of aggregates.
@item SYS
Operating system features.
@item TYPE
C builtin or declared types.
@item VAR
C variables in libraries.
@end table
After the category comes the name of the particular feature being
tested. Any further words in the macro name indicate particular aspects
of the feature. For example, @code{AC_FUNC_UTIME_NULL} checks the
behavior of the @code{utime} function when called with a @code{NULL}
pointer.
An internal macro should have a name which starts with an underscore;
Autoconf internals should therefore start with @samp{_AC_}.
Additionally, a macro that is an internal subroutine of another macro
should have a name that starts with an underscore and the name of that
other macro, followed by one or more words saying what the internal
macro does. For example, @code{AC_PATH_X} has internal macros
@code{_AC_PATH_X_XMKMF} and @code{_AC_PATH_X_DIRECT}.
@node Quoting, Reporting Messages, Macro Names, Writing Macros
@section Quoting
@cindex quotation
@c FIXME: Grmph, yet another quoting myth: quotation has *never*
@c prevented `expansion' of $1. Unless it refers to the expansion
@c of the value of $1? Anyway, we need a rewrite here...
The most common brokenness of existing macros is an improper quotation.
This section, which users of Autoconf can skip, but which macro writers
@emph{must} read, first justifies the quotation scheme which was chosen
for Autoconf, and ends with the rule of thumb. Understanding the former
helps following the latter.
@menu
* Active Characters:: Characters that change the behavior of m4
* One Macro Call:: Quotation and one macro call
* Quotation and Nested Macros:: Macros calling macros
* Quotation Rule Of Thumb:: One parenthesis, one quote
@end menu
@node Active Characters, One Macro Call, Quoting, Quoting
@subsection Active Characters
To fully understand where proper quotation is precious, you first need
to know what are the special characters in Autoconf: @samp{#} introduces
a comment inside which no macro expansion is performed, @samp{,}
separates arguments, @samp{[} and @samp{]} are the quotes themselves,
and finally @samp{(} and @samp{)} which @code{m4} tries to match by
pairs.
In order to understand the delicate case of macro calls, we first have
to present some obvious failures. Below they are ``obviousified'',
although you find them in real life, they are usually in disguise.
Comments, introduced by a hash and running up to the newline, are opaque
tokens to the top level: active characters are turned off, and there is
no macro expansion:
@example
# define([def], ine)
@result{}# define([def], ine)
@end example
Each time there can be a macro expansion, there is a quotation
expansion, i.e., one level of quotes is stripped:
@example
int tab[10];
@result{}int tab10;
[int tab[10];]
@result{}int tab[10];
@end example
Without this in mind, the reader will hopelessly try to find a means to
use her macro @code{array}:
@example
define([array], [int tab[10];])
array
@result{}int tab10;
[array]
@result{}array
@end example
@noindent
How can you correctly output the intended results@footnote{Using
@code{defn}.}?
@node One Macro Call, Quotation and Nested Macros, Active Characters, Quoting
@subsection One Macro Call
Let's proceed on the interaction between active characters and macros
with this small macro which just returns its first argument:
@example
define([car], [$1])
@end example
@noindent
The two pairs of quotes above are not part of the arguments of
@code{define}, rather, they are understood by the top level when it
tries to find the arguments of @code{define}, therefore it is equivalent
to write:
@example
define(car, $1)
@end example
@noindent
But, while it is acceptable for a @file{configure.in} to avoid unneeded
quotes, it is bad practice for Autoconf macros which must both be more
robust, and advocate the perfect writing.
At the top level, there are only two possible quoting: either you quote,
or you don't:
@example
car(foo, bar, baz)
@result{}foo
[car(foo, bar, baz)]
@result{}car(foo, bar, baz)
@end example
Let's pay attention to the special characters:
@example
car(#)
@error{}EOF in argument list
@end example
The closing parenthesis is hidden in the comment; with a hypothetical
quoting, the top level understood this:
@example
car([#)]
@end example
@noindent
Proper quotation, of course, fixes the problem:
@example
car([#])
@result{}#
@end example
The reader will easily understand the following examples:
@example
car(foo, bar)
@result{}foo
car([foo, bar])
@result{}foo, bar
car((foo, bar))
@result{}(foo, bar)
car([(foo], [bar)])
@result{}(foo
car([], [])
@result{}
car([[]], [[]])
@result{}[]
@end example
With this in mind, we can explore the cases where macros invoke
macros...
@node Quotation and Nested Macros, Quotation Rule Of Thumb, One Macro Call, Quoting
@subsection Quotation and Nested Macros
The examples below use the following macros:
@example
define([car], [$1])
define([active], [ACT, IVE])
define([array], [int tab[10]])
@end example
Each additional embedded macro call introduces other possible
interesting quotations:
@example
car(active)
@result{}ACT
car([active])
@result{}ACT, IVE
car([[active]])
@result{}active
@end example
In the first case, the top level looks for the arguments of @code{car},
and finds @samp{active}. Because @code{m4} evaluates its arguments
before applying the macro, @samp{active} is expanded, what results in
@example
car(ACT, IVE)
@result{}ACT
@end example
@noindent
In the second case, the top level gives @samp{active} as first and only
argument of @code{car}, what results in
@example
active
@result{}ACT, IVE
@end example
@noindent
i.e., the argument is evaluated @emph{after} the macro which invokes it.
In the third case, @code{car} receives @samp{[active]}, what results in
@example
[active]
@result{}active
@end example
@noindent
exactly as we already saw above.
The example above, applied to a more realistic example, gives:
@example
car(int tab[10];)
@result{}int tab10;
car([int tab[10];])
@result{}int tab10;
car([[int tab[10];]])
@result{}int tab[10];
@end example
@noindent
Huh? The first case is easily understood, but why is the second wrong,
and the third right? Just apply the evaluation rules to understand:
@example
car([int tab[10];])
@result{}int tab[10];
@result{}int tab10;
@end example
As the author of the Autoconf macro @code{car} you then consider it is
incorrect to require that your users have to double quote the arguments
of @code{car}, so you ``fix'' your macro. Let's call it @code{qar} for
quoted car:
@example
define([qar], [[$1]])
@end example
@noindent
and check that @code{qar} is properly fixed:
@example
qar([int tab[10];])
@result{}int tab[10];
@end example
@noindent
Ahhh! That's much better.
But note what you've done: now that the arguments are literal strings,
if the user wants to use the results of expansions as arguments, she has
to leave an @emph{unquoted} macro call:
@example
qar(active)
@result{}ACT
@end example
@noindent
while she wanted to reproduce what she used to do with @code{car}:
@example
car([active])
@result{}ACT, IVE
@end example
@noindent
Worse yet: she wants to use a macro which produces a set of @code{cpp}
macros:
@example
define([my_includes], [#include <stdio.h>])
car([my_includes])
@result{}#include <stdio.h>
qar(my_includes)
@error{}EOF in argument list
@end example
This macro, @code{qar}, because it double quotes its arguments, forces
its users to leave their macro calls unquoted, which is dangerous.
Also, because it behaves differently from the other macro, it's an
exception, which we are avoiding in Autoconf.
@node Quotation Rule Of Thumb, , Quotation and Nested Macros, Quoting
@subsection Quotation Rule Of Thumb
To conclude, the quotation rule of thumb is:
@center @emph{One pair of quotes per pair of parentheses.}
Never over-quote, never under-quote, in particular in the definition of
macros. In the few places where the macros need to use brackets
(usually in C program text or regular expressions), quote properly
@emph{the arguments}!
It is frequent to read Autoconf programs with snippets like:
@example
AC_TRY_LINK(
changequote(<<, >>)dnl
<<#include <time.h>
#ifndef tzname /* For SGI. */
extern char *tzname[]; /* RS6000 and others reject char **tzname. */
#endif>>,
changequote([, ])dnl
[atoi (*tzname);], ac_cv_var_tzname=yes, ac_cv_var_tzname=no)
@end example
@noindent
which is incredibly useless since @code{AC_TRY_LINK} is @emph{already}
double quoting, so you just need:
@example
AC_TRY_LINK(
[#include <time.h>
#ifndef tzname /* For SGI. */
extern char *tzname[]; /* RS6000 and others reject char **tzname. */
#endif],
[atoi (*tzname);], ac_cv_var_tzname=yes, ac_cv_var_tzname=no)
@end example
@noindent
The @code{m4} fluent reader noted that these two writings are rigorously
equivalent, since @code{m4} swallows both the @samp{changequote(<<, >>)}
and @samp{<<} @samp{>>} when it @dfn{collects} the arguments: these
quotes are not part of the arguments!
Simplified, the example above is just doing this:
@example
changequote(<<, >>)dnl
<<[]>>
changequote([, ])dnl
@end example
@noindent
instead of simply
@example
[[]]
@end example
With macros which do not double quote their arguments (which is the
rule), double quote the (risky) literals:
@example
AC_LINK_IFELSE([AC_LANG_PROGRAM(
[[#include <time.h>
#ifndef tzname /* For SGI. */
extern char *tzname[]; /* RS6000 and others reject char **tzname. */
#endif]],
[atoi (*tzname);])], ac_cv_var_tzname=yes, ac_cv_var_tzname=no)
@end example
@c FIXME: Quadrigraphs and hopeless cases.
When you create a @code{configure} script using newly written macros,
examine it carefully to check whether you need to add more quotes in
your macros. If one or more words have disappeared in the @code{m4}
output, you need more quotes. When in doubt, quote.
However, it's also possible to put on too many layers of quotes. If
this happens, the resulting @code{configure} script will contain
unexpanded macros. The @code{autoconf} program checks for this problem
by doing @samp{grep AC_ configure}.
@node Reporting Messages, Dependencies Between Macros, Quoting, Writing Macros
@section Reporting Messages
@cindex Messages, from @code{autoconf}
When macros statically diagnose abnormal situations, benign or fatal,
they should report them using these macros. For dynamic issues, i.e.,
when @code{configure} is run, see @ref{Printing Messages}.
@defmac AC_DIAGNOSE (@var{category}, @var{message})
@maindex DIAGNOSE
Report @var{message} as a warning (or as an error if requested by the
user) if it falls into the @var{category}. You are encouraged to use
standard categories, which currently include:
@table @samp
@item all
messages that don't fall into one of the following category. Use of an
empty @var{category} is equivalent.
@item cross
related to cross compilation issues.
@item obsolete
use of an obsolete construct.
@item syntax
dubious syntactic constructs, incorrectly ordered macro calls.
@end table
@end defmac
@defmac AC_WARNING (@var{message})
@maindex WARNING
Equivalent to @samp{AC_DIAGNOSE([], @var{message})}, but you are
strongly encouraged to use a finer grained category.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FATAL (@var{message})
@maindex FATAL
Report a severe error @var{message}, and have @code{autoconf} die.
@end defmac
When the user runs @samp{autoconf -W error}, warnings from
@code{AC_DIAGNOSE} and @code{AC_WARNING} are reported as error, see
@ref{autoconf Invocation}.
@node Dependencies Between Macros, , Reporting Messages, Writing Macros
@section Dependencies Between Macros
Some Autoconf macros depend on other macros having been called first in
order to work correctly. Autoconf provides a way to ensure that certain
macros are called if needed and a way to warn the user if macros are
called in an order that might cause incorrect operation.
@menu
* Prerequisite Macros:: Ensuring required information
* Suggested Ordering:: Warning about possible ordering problems
* Obsoleting Macros:: Warning about old ways of doing things
@end menu
@node Prerequisite Macros, Suggested Ordering, Dependencies Between Macros, Dependencies Between Macros
@subsection Prerequisite Macros
A macro that you write might need to use values that have previously
been computed by other macros. For example, @code{AC_DECL_YYTEXT}
examines the output of @code{flex} or @code{lex}, so it depends on
@code{AC_PROG_LEX} having been called first to set the shell variable
@code{LEX}.
Rather than forcing the user of the macros to keep track of the
dependencies between them, you can use the @code{AC_REQUIRE} macro to do
it automatically. @code{AC_REQUIRE} can ensure that a macro is only
called if it is needed, and only called once.
@defmac AC_REQUIRE (@var{macro-name})
@maindex REQUIRE
If the @code{m4} macro @var{macro-name} has not already been called,
call it (without any arguments). Make sure to quote @var{macro-name}
with square brackets. @var{macro-name} must have been defined using
@code{AC_DEFUN} or else contain a call to @code{AC_PROVIDE} to indicate
that it has been called.
@end defmac
An alternative to using @code{AC_DEFUN} is to use @code{define} and call
@code{AC_PROVIDE}. Because this technique does not prevent nested
messages, it is considered obsolete.
@defmac AC_PROVIDE (@var{this-macro-name})
@maindex PROVIDE
Record the fact that @var{this-macro-name} has been called.
@var{this-macro-name} should be the name of the macro that is calling
@code{AC_PROVIDE}. An easy way to get it is from the @code{m4} builtin
variable @code{$0}, like this:
@example
AC_PROVIDE([$0])
@end example
@end defmac
@node Suggested Ordering, Obsoleting Macros, Prerequisite Macros, Dependencies Between Macros
@subsection Suggested Ordering
Some macros should be run before another macro if both are called, but
neither @emph{requires} that the other be called. For example, a macro
that changes the behavior of the C compiler should be called before any
macros that run the C compiler. Many of these dependencies are noted in
the documentation.
Autoconf provides the @code{AC_BEFORE} macro to warn users when macros
with this kind of dependency appear out of order in a
@file{configure.in} file. The warning occurs when creating
@code{configure} from @file{configure.in}, not when running
@code{configure}.
For example, @code{AC_PROG_CPP} checks whether the C compiler
can run the C preprocessor when given the @samp{-E} option. It should
therefore be called after any macros that change which C compiler is
being used, such as @code{AC_PROG_CC}. So @code{AC_PROG_CC} contains:
@example
AC_BEFORE([$0], [AC_PROG_CPP])dnl
@end example
@noindent
This warns the user if a call to @code{AC_PROG_CPP} has already occurred
when @code{AC_PROG_CC} is called.
@defmac AC_BEFORE (@var{this-macro-name}, @var{called-macro-name})
@maindex BEFORE
Make @code{m4} print a warning message on the standard error output if
@var{called-macro-name} has already been called. @var{this-macro-name}
should be the name of the macro that is calling @code{AC_BEFORE}. The
macro @var{called-macro-name} must have been defined using
@code{AC_DEFUN} or else contain a call to @code{AC_PROVIDE} to indicate
that it has been called.
@end defmac
@node Obsoleting Macros, , Suggested Ordering, Dependencies Between Macros
@subsection Obsoleting Macros
Configuration and portability technology has evolved over the years.
Often better ways of solving a particular problem are developed, or
ad-hoc approaches are systematized. This process has occurred in many
parts of Autoconf. One result is that some of the macros are now
considered @dfn{obsolete}; they still work, but are no longer considered
the best thing to do, hence they should be replaced with more modern
macros. Ideally, @code{autoupdate} should substitute the old macro calls
with their modern implementation.
Autoconf provides a simple means to obsolete a macro.
@defmac AU_DEFUN (@var{old-macro}, @var{implementation}, @ovar{message})
@maindex DEFUN
@maindex AU_DEFUN
Define @var{old-macro} as @var{implementation}. The only difference
with @code{AC_DEFUN} is that the user will be warned that
@var{old-macro} is now obsolete.
If she then uses @code{autoupdate}, the call to @var{old-macro} will be
replaced by the modern @var{implementation}. The additional
@var{message} is then printed.
@end defmac
Supporting old macros can quickly become a maintenance nightmare, so the
temptation of removing obsolete macros is high. The following macro
intends to free the maintainer from this nightmare while still report an
error to the users.
@defmac AC_DEFUNCT (@var{macro-name}, @ovar{suggestion})
@maindex DEFUNCT
Define @var{macro-name} to be a macro which is no longer supported,
i.e., die as soon as it is used. This is the destiny of macros which
have been left obsolete for a long time.
@end defmac
@c ================================================== Manual Configuration
@node Manual Configuration, Site Configuration, Writing Macros, Top
@chapter Manual Configuration
A few kinds of features can't be guessed automatically by running test
programs. For example, the details of the object file format, or
special options that need to be passed to the compiler or linker. You
can check for such features using ad-hoc means, such as having
@code{configure} check the output of the @code{uname} program, or
looking for libraries that are unique to particular systems. However,
Autoconf provides a uniform method for handling unguessable features.
@menu
* Specifying Names:: Specifying the system type
* Canonicalizing:: Getting the canonical system type
* System Type Variables:: Variables containing the system type
* Using System Type:: What to do with the system type
@end menu
@node Specifying Names, Canonicalizing, Manual Configuration, Manual Configuration
@section Specifying the System Type
Like other @sc{gnu} @code{configure} scripts, Autoconf-generated
@code{configure} scripts can make decisions based on a canonical name
for the system type, which has the form:
@example
@var{cpu}-@var{company}-@var{system}
@end example
@noindent
where @var{system} can have one of these forms:
@example
@var{os}
@var{kernel}-@var{os}
@end example
@code{configure} can usually guess the canonical name for the type of
system it's running on. To do so it runs a script called
@code{config.guess}, which derives the name using the @code{uname}
command or symbols predefined by the C preprocessor.
Alternately, the user can specify the system type with command line
arguments to @code{configure}. Doing so is necessary when
cross-compiling. In the most complex case of cross-compiling, three
system types are involved. The options to specify them are:
@table @code
@item --build=@var{build-type}
the type of system on which the package is being configured and
compiled (rarely needed).
@item --host=@var{host-type}
the type of system on which the package will run.
@item --target=@var{target-type}
the type of system for which any compiler tools in the package will
produce code (rarely needed).
@end table
By default, the build system type is guessed (by @code{config.guess}),
the host system is the build system, and the target is the host system.
Using @samp{--host=@var{host-type}} enables cross-compilation.
line, e.g.,
@example
./configure --host=m68k-coff
@end example
@noindent
but @code{configure} will fail with unexpected cross-compilers:
@example
./configure CC=m68k-coff-gcc
@end example
@code{configure} recognizes short aliases for many system types; for
example, @samp{decstation} can be given on the command line instead of
@samp{mips-dec-ultrix4.2}. @code{configure} runs a script called
@code{config.sub} to canonicalize system type aliases.
@node Canonicalizing, System Type Variables, Specifying Names, Manual Configuration
@section Getting the Canonical System Type
The following macros make the system type available to @code{configure}
scripts. They run the shell script @code{config.guess} to determine any
values for the host, target, and build types that they need and the user
did not specify on the command line. They run @code{config.sub} to
canonicalize any aliases the user gave. If you use these macros, you
must distribute those two shell scripts along with your source code.
@xref{Output}, for information about the @code{AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR} macro
which you can use to control which directory @code{configure} looks for
those scripts in. If you do not use either of these macros,
@code{configure} ignores any @samp{--host}, @samp{--target}, and
@samp{--build} options given to it.
@defmac AC_CANONICAL_BUILD
@maindex CANONICAL_BUILD
Compute the @samp{build} system type variables, see @ref{System Type
Variables}. Unless specified to @code{configure} via @samp{--build},
the build system is guessed by running @code{config.guess}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CANONICAL_HOST
@maindex CANONICAL_HOST
Compute the @samp{host} system type variables, see @ref{System Type
Variables}. Unless specified to @code{configure} via @samp{--host}, the
host system is the build system.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CANONICAL_TARGET
@maindex CANONICAL_TARGET
Compute the @samp{target} system type variables, see @ref{System Type
Variables}. Unless specified to @code{configure} via @samp{--target},
the target system is the host system.
This macro only makes sense for compilers, debuggers etc. which might
run on a machine, but work on binaries from another machine.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_VALIDATE_CACHED_SYSTEM_TUPLE (@var{cmd})
@maindex VALIDATE_CACHED_SYSTEM_TUPLE
If the cache file is inconsistent with the current host, target and
build system types, execute @var{cmd} or print a default error message.
@end defmac
@node System Type Variables, Using System Type, Canonicalizing, Manual Configuration
@section System Type Variables
After calling @code{AC_CANONICAL_BUILD}, the following @samp{build}
output variables contain the build system type information, likewise for
@code{AC_CANONICAL_HOST} and @code{AC_CANONICAL_TARGET}.
@table @code
@ovindex build
@ovindex host
@ovindex target
@item @code{build}, @code{host}, @code{target}
the canonical system names;
@item @code{build_alias}, @code{host_alias}, @code{target_alias}
@ovindex build_alias
@ovindex host_alias
@ovindex target_alias
the names the user specified, or the canonical names if
@code{config.guess} was used;
@item @code{build_cpu}, @code{build_vendor}, @code{build_os}
@itemx @code{host_cpu}, @code{host_vendor}, @code{host_os}
@itemx @code{target_cpu}, @code{target_vendor}, @code{target_os}
@ovindex build_cpu
@ovindex host_cpu
@ovindex target_cpu
@ovindex build_vendor
@ovindex host_vendor
@ovindex target_vendor
@ovindex build_os
@ovindex host_os
@ovindex target_os
the individual parts of the canonical names (for convenience).
@end table
@node Using System Type, , System Type Variables, Manual Configuration
@section Using the System Type
How do you use a canonical system type? Usually, you use it in one or
more @code{case} statements in @file{configure.in} to select
system-specific C files. Then, using @code{AC_CONFIG_LINKS}, link those
files which have names based on the system name, to generic names, such
as @file{host.h} or @file{target.c} (@pxref{Configuration Links}). The
@code{case} statement patterns can use shell wild cards to group several
cases together, like in this fragment:
@example
case "$target" in
i386-*-mach* | i386-*-gnu*)
obj_format=aout emulation=mach bfd_gas=yes ;;
i960-*-bout) obj_format=bout ;;
esac
@end example
and in @file{configure.in}, use:
@example
AC_CONFIG_LINKS(host.h:config/$machine.h
object.h:config/$obj_format.h)
@end example
You can also use the host system type to find cross-compilation tools.
@xref{Generic Programs}, for information about the @code{AC_CHECK_TOOL}
macro which does that.
@c ===================================================== Site Configuration.
@node Site Configuration, Running configure scripts, Manual Configuration, Top
@chapter Site Configuration
@code{configure} scripts support several kinds of local configuration
decisions. There are ways for users to specify where external software
packages are, include or exclude optional features, install programs
under modified names, and set default values for @code{configure}
options.
@menu
* External Software:: Working with other optional software
* Package Options:: Selecting optional features
* Pretty Help Strings:: Formating help string
* Site Details:: Configuring site details
* Transforming Names:: Changing program names when installing
* Site Defaults:: Giving @code{configure} local defaults
@end menu
@node External Software, Package Options, Site Configuration, Site Configuration
@section Working With External Software
Some packages require, or can optionally use, other software packages
which are already installed. The user can give @code{configure}
command line options to specify which such external software to use.
The options have one of these forms:
@example
--with-@var{package}=@ovar{arg}
--without-@var{package}
@end example
For example, @samp{--with-gnu-ld} means work with the @sc{gnu} linker
instead of some other linker. @samp{--with-x} means work with The X
Window System.
The user can give an argument by following the package name with
@samp{=} and the argument. Giving an argument of @samp{no} is for
packages that are used by default; it says to @emph{not} use the
package. An argument that is neither @samp{yes} nor @samp{no} could
include a name or number of a version of the other package, to specify
more precisely which other package this program is supposed to work
with. If no argument is given, it defaults to @samp{yes}.
@samp{--without-@var{package}} is equivalent to
@samp{--with-@var{package}=no}.
@code{configure} scripts do not complain about
@samp{--with-@var{package}} options that they do not support. This
behavior permits configuring a source tree containing multiple packages
with a top-level @code{configure} script when the packages support
different options, without spurious error messages about options that
some of the packages support. An unfortunate side effect is that option
spelling errors are not diagnosed. No better approach to this problem
has been suggested so far.
For each external software package that may be used, @file{configure.in}
should call @code{AC_ARG_WITH} to detect whether the @code{configure}
user asked to use it. Whether each package is used or not by default,
and which arguments are valid, is up to you.
@defmac AC_ARG_WITH (@var{package}, @var{help-string}, @ovar{action-if-given}, @ovar{action-if-not-given})
@maindex ARG_WITH
If the user gave @code{configure} the option @samp{--with-@var{package}}
or @samp{--without-@var{package}}, run shell commands
@var{action-if-given}. If neither option was given, run shell commands
@var{action-if-not-given}. The name @var{package} indicates another
software package that this program should work with. It should consist
only of alphanumeric characters and dashes.
The option's argument is available to the shell commands
@var{action-if-given} in the shell variable @code{withval}, which is
actually just the value of the shell variable @code{with_@var{package}},
with any @samp{-} characters changed into @samp{_}. You may use that
variable instead, if you wish.
The argument @var{help-string} is a description of the option which
looks like this:
@example
--with-readline support fancy command line editing
@end example
@noindent
@var{help-string} may be more than one line long, if more detail is
needed. Just make sure the columns line up in @samp{configure --help}.
Avoid tabs in the help string. You'll need to enclose it in @samp{[}
and @samp{]} in order to produce the leading spaces.
You should format your @var{help-string} with the macro
@code{AC_HELP_STRING} (@pxref{Pretty Help Strings}).
@end defmac
@defmac AC_WITH (@var{package}, @var{action-if-given}, @ovar{action-if-not-given})
@maindex WITH
This is an obsolete version of @code{AC_ARG_WITH} that does not
support providing a help string.
@end defmac
@node Package Options, Pretty Help Strings, External Software, Site Configuration
@section Choosing Package Options
If a software package has optional compile-time features, the user can
give @code{configure} command line options to specify whether to
compile them. The options have one of these forms:
@example
--enable-@var{feature}=@ovar{arg}
--disable-@var{feature}
@end example
These options allow users to choose which optional features to build and
install. @samp{--enable-@var{feature}} options should never make a
feature behave differently or cause one feature to replace another.
They should only cause parts of the program to be built rather than left
out.
The user can give an argument by following the feature name with
@samp{=} and the argument. Giving an argument of @samp{no} requests
that the feature @emph{not} be made available. A feature with an
argument looks like @samp{--enable-debug=stabs}. If no argument is
given, it defaults to @samp{yes}. @samp{--disable-@var{feature}} is
equivalent to @samp{--enable-@var{feature}=no}.
@code{configure} scripts do not complain about
@samp{--enable-@var{feature}} options that they do not support.
This behavior permits configuring a source tree containing multiple
packages with a top-level @code{configure} script when the packages
support different options, without spurious error messages about options
that some of the packages support.
An unfortunate side effect is that option spelling errors are not diagnosed.
No better approach to this problem has been suggested so far.
For each optional feature, @file{configure.in} should call
@code{AC_ARG_ENABLE} to detect whether the @code{configure} user asked
to include it. Whether each feature is included or not by default, and
which arguments are valid, is up to you.
@defmac AC_ARG_ENABLE (@var{feature}, @var{help-string}, @ovar{action-if-given}, @ovar{action-if-not-given})
@maindex ARG_ENABLE
If the user gave @code{configure} the option
@samp{--enable-@var{feature}} or @samp{--disable-@var{feature}}, run
shell commands @var{action-if-given}. If neither option was given, run
shell commands @var{action-if-not-given}. The name @var{feature}
indicates an optional user-level facility. It should consist only of
alphanumeric characters and dashes.
The option's argument is available to the shell commands
@var{action-if-given} in the shell variable @code{enableval}, which is
actually just the value of the shell variable
@code{enable_@var{feature}}, with any @samp{-} characters changed into
@samp{_}. You may use that variable instead, if you wish. The
@var{help-string} argument is like that of @code{AC_ARG_WITH}
(@pxref{External Software}).
You should format your @var{help-string} with the macro
@code{AC_HELP_STRING} (@pxref{Pretty Help Strings}).
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ENABLE (@var{feature}, @var{action-if-given}, @ovar{action-if-not-given})
@maindex ENABLE
This is an obsolete version of @code{AC_ARG_ENABLE} that does not
support providing a help string.
@end defmac
@node Pretty Help Strings, Site Details, Package Options, Site Configuration
@section Making Your Help Strings Look Pretty
Properly formatting the @samp{help strings} which are used in
@code{AC_ARG_WITH} (@pxref{External Software}) and @code{AC_ARG_ENABLE}
(@pxref{Package Options}) can be challenging. Specifically, you want
your own @samp{help strings} to line up in the appropriate columns of
@samp{configure --help} just like the standard Autoconf @samp{help
strings} do. This is the purpose of the @code{AC_HELP_STRING} macro.
@defmac AC_HELP_STRING (@var{left-hand-side}, @var{right-hand-side})
@maindex HELP_STRING
Expands into an help string that looks pretty when the user executes
@samp{configure --help}. It is typically used in @code{AC_ARG_WITH}
(@pxref{External Software}) or @code{AC_ARG_ENABLE} (@pxref{Package
Options}). The following example will make this clearer.
@example
AC_DEFUN(TEST_MACRO,
[AC_ARG_WITH(foo,
AC_HELP_STRING([--with-foo],
[use foo (default is NO)]),
ac_cv_use_foo=$withval, ac_cv_use_foo=no),
AC_CACHE_CHECK(whether to use foo,
ac_cv_use_foo, ac_cv_use_foo=no)])
@end example
Please note that the call to @code{AC_HELP_STRING} is @strong{unquoted}.
Then the last few lines of @samp{configure --help} will appear like
this:
@example
--enable and --with options recognized:
--with-foo use foo (default is NO)
@end example
The @code{AC_HELP_STRING} macro is particularly helpful when the
@var{left-hand-side} and/or @var{right-hand-side} are composed of macro
arguments, as shown in the following example.
@example
AC_DEFUN(MY_ARG_WITH,
[AC_ARG_WITH([$1],
AC_HELP_STRING([--with-$1], [use $1 (default is $2)]),
ac_cv_use_$1=$withval, ac_cv_use_$1=no),
AC_CACHE_CHECK(whether to use $1, ac_cv_use_$1, ac_cv_use_$1=$2)])
@end example
@end defmac
@node Site Details, Transforming Names, Pretty Help Strings, Site Configuration
@section Configuring Site Details
Some software packages require complex site-specific information. Some
examples are host names to use for certain services, company names, and
email addresses to contact. Since some configuration scripts generated
by Metaconfig ask for such information interactively, people sometimes
wonder how to get that information in Autoconf-generated configuration
scripts, which aren't interactive.
Such site configuration information should be put in a file that is
edited @emph{only by users}, not by programs. The location of the file
can either be based on the @code{prefix} variable, or be a standard
location such as the user's home directory. It could even be specified
by an environment variable. The programs should examine that file at
run time, rather than at compile time. Run time configuration is more
convenient for users and makes the configuration process simpler than
getting the information while configuring. @xref{Directory Variables,,
Variables for Installation Directories, standards, GNU Coding
Standards}, for more information on where to put data files.
@node Transforming Names, Site Defaults, Site Details, Site Configuration
@section Transforming Program Names When Installing
Autoconf supports changing the names of programs when installing them.
In order to use these transformations, @file{configure.in} must call the
macro @code{AC_ARG_PROGRAM}.
@defmac AC_ARG_PROGRAM
@maindex ARG_PROGRAM
@ovindex program_transform_name
Place in output variable @code{program_transform_name} a sequence of
@code{sed} commands for changing the names of installed programs.
If any of the options described below are given to @code{configure},
program names are transformed accordingly. Otherwise, if
@code{AC_CANONICAL_TARGET} has been called and a @samp{--target} value
is given that differs from the host type (specified with @samp{--host}),
the target type followed by a dash is used as a prefix. Otherwise, no
program name transformation is done.
@end defmac
@menu
* Transformation Options:: @code{configure} options to transform names
* Transformation Examples:: Sample uses of transforming names
* Transformation Rules:: @file{Makefile} uses of transforming names
@end menu
@node Transformation Options, Transformation Examples, Transforming Names, Transforming Names
@subsection Transformation Options
You can specify name transformations by giving @code{configure} these
command line options:
@table @code
@item --program-prefix=@var{prefix}
prepend @var{prefix} to the names;
@item --program-suffix=@var{suffix}
append @var{suffix} to the names;
@item --program-transform-name=@var{expression}
perform @code{sed} substitution @var{expression} on the names.
@end table
@node Transformation Examples, Transformation Rules, Transformation Options, Transforming Names
@subsection Transformation Examples
These transformations are useful with programs that can be part of a
cross-compilation development environment. For example, a
cross-assembler running on a Sun 4 configured with
@samp{--target=i960-vxworks} is normally installed as
@file{i960-vxworks-as}, rather than @file{as}, which could be confused
with a native Sun 4 assembler.
You can force a program name to begin with @file{g}, if you don't want
@sc{gnu} programs installed on your system to shadow other programs with
the same name. For example, if you configure @sc{gnu} @code{diff} with
@samp{--program-prefix=g}, then when you run @samp{make install} it is
installed as @file{/usr/local/bin/gdiff}.
As a more sophisticated example, you could use
@example
--program-transform-name='s/^/g/; s/^gg/g/; s/^gless/less/'
@end example
@noindent
to prepend @samp{g} to most of the program names in a source tree,
excepting those like @code{gdb} that already have one and those like
@code{less} and @code{lesskey} that aren't @sc{gnu} programs. (That is
assuming that you have a source tree containing those programs that is
set up to use this feature.)
One way to install multiple versions of some programs simultaneously is
to append a version number to the name of one or both. For example, if
you want to keep Autoconf version 1 around for awhile, you can configure
Autoconf version 2 using @samp{--program-suffix=2} to install the
programs as @file{/usr/local/bin/autoconf2},
@file{/usr/local/bin/autoheader2}, etc. Nevertheless, pay attention
that only the binaries are renamed, therefore you'd have problems with
the library files which might overlap.
@node Transformation Rules, , Transformation Examples, Transforming Names
@subsection Transformation Rules
Here is how to use the variable @code{program_transform_name} in a
@file{Makefile.in}:
@example
transform = @@program_transform_name@@
install: all
$(INSTALL_PROGRAM) myprog $(bindir)/`echo myprog|sed '$(transform)'`
uninstall:
rm -f $(bindir)/`echo myprog|sed '$(transform)'`
@end example
@noindent
If you have more than one program to install, you can do it in a loop:
@example
PROGRAMS = cp ls rm
install:
for p in $(PROGRAMS); do \
$(INSTALL_PROGRAM) $$p $(bindir)/`echo $$p|sed '$(transform)'`; \
done
uninstall:
for p in $(PROGRAMS); do \
rm -f $(bindir)/`echo $$p|sed '$(transform)'`; \
done
@end example
Whether to do the transformations on documentation files (Texinfo or
@code{man}) is a tricky question; there seems to be no perfect answer,
due to the several reasons for name transforming. Documentation is not
usually particular to a specific architecture, and Texinfo files do not
conflict with system documentation. But they might conflict with
earlier versions of the same files, and @code{man} pages sometimes do
conflict with system documentation. As a compromise, it is probably
best to do name transformations on @code{man} pages but not on Texinfo
manuals.
@node Site Defaults, , Transforming Names, Site Configuration
@section Setting Site Defaults
Autoconf-generated @code{configure} scripts allow your site to provide
default values for some configuration values. You do this by creating
site- and system-wide initialization files.
@evindex CONFIG_SITE
If the environment variable @code{CONFIG_SITE} is set, @code{configure}
uses its value as the name of a shell script to read. Otherwise, it
reads the shell script @file{@var{prefix}/share/config.site} if it exists,
then @file{@var{prefix}/etc/config.site} if it exists. Thus,
settings in machine-specific files override those in machine-independent
ones in case of conflict.
Site files can be arbitrary shell scripts, but only certain kinds of
code are really appropriate to be in them. Because @code{configure}
reads any cache file after it has read any site files, a site file can
define a default cache file to be shared between all Autoconf-generated
@code{configure} scripts run on that system. If you set a default cache
file in a site file, it is a good idea to also set the output variable
@code{CC} in that site file, because the cache file is only valid for a
particular compiler, but many systems have several available.
You can examine or override the value set by a command line option to
@code{configure} in a site file; options set shell variables that have
the same names as the options, with any dashes turned into underscores.
The exceptions are that @samp{--without-} and @samp{--disable-} options
are like giving the corresponding @samp{--with-} or @samp{--enable-}
option and the value @samp{no}. Thus, @samp{--cache-file=localcache}
sets the variable @code{cache_file} to the value @samp{localcache};
@samp{--enable-warnings=no} or @samp{--disable-warnings} sets the variable
@code{enable_warnings} to the value @samp{no}; @samp{--prefix=/usr} sets the
variable @code{prefix} to the value @samp{/usr}; etc.
Site files are also good places to set default values for other output
variables, such as @code{CFLAGS}, if you need to give them non-default
values: anything you would normally do, repetitively, on the command
line. If you use non-default values for @var{prefix} or
@var{exec_prefix} (wherever you locate the site file), you can set them
in the site file if you specify it with the @code{CONFIG_SITE}
environment variable.
You can set some cache values in the site file itself. Doing this is
useful if you are cross-compiling, so it is impossible to check features
that require running a test program. You could ``prime the cache'' by
setting those values correctly for that system in
@file{@var{prefix}/etc/config.site}. To find out the names of the cache
variables you need to set, look for shell variables with @samp{_cv_} in
their names in the affected @code{configure} scripts, or in the Autoconf
@code{m4} source code for those macros.
The cache file is careful to not override any variables set in the site
files. Similarly, you should not override command-line options in the
site files. Your code should check that variables such as @code{prefix}
and @code{cache_file} have their default values (as set near the top of
@code{configure}) before changing them.
Here is a sample file @file{/usr/share/local/gnu/share/config.site}. The
command @samp{configure --prefix=/usr/share/local/gnu} would read this
file (if @code{CONFIG_SITE} is not set to a different file).
@example
# config.site for configure
#
# Change some defaults.
test "$prefix" = NONE && prefix=/usr/share/local/gnu
test "$exec_prefix" = NONE && exec_prefix=/usr/local/gnu
test "$sharedstatedir" = '$prefix/com' && sharedstatedir=/var
test "$localstatedir" = '$prefix/var' && localstatedir=/var
# Give Autoconf 2.x generated configure scripts a shared default
# cache file for feature test results, architecture-specific.
if test "$cache_file" = /dev/null; then
cache_file="$prefix/var/config.cache"
# A cache file is only valid for one C compiler.
CC=gcc
fi
@end example
@c ============================================== Running configure Scripts.
@node Running configure scripts, config.status Invocation, Site Configuration, Top
@chapter Running @code{configure} Scripts
@cindex @code{configure}
Below are instructions on how to configure a package that uses a
@code{configure} script, suitable for inclusion as an @file{INSTALL}
file in the package. A plain-text version of @file{INSTALL} which you
may use comes with Autoconf.
@menu
* Basic Installation:: Instructions for typical cases
* Compilers and Options:: Selecting compilers and optimization
* Multiple Architectures:: Compiling for multiple architectures at once
* Installation Names:: Installing in different directories
* Optional Features:: Selecting optional features
* System Type:: Specifying the system type
* Sharing Defaults:: Setting site-wide defaults for @code{configure}
* Environment Variables:: Defining environment variables.
* configure Invocation:: Changing how @code{configure} runs
@end menu
@include install.texi
@c ============================================== Recreating a Configuration
@node config.status Invocation, Obsolete Constructs, Running configure scripts, Top
@chapter Recreating a Configuration
@cindex @code{config.status}
The @code{configure} script creates a file named @file{config.status},
which actually configures, @dfn{instantiates}, the template files. It
also keeps the configuration options that were specified when the
package was last configured in case reconfiguring is needed.
Synopsis:
@example
./config.status @var{option}... [@var{file}@dots{}]
@end example
It configures the @var{files}, if none are specified, all the templates
are instantiated. The files must be specified without their
dependencies, as in
@example
./config.status foobar
@end example
@noindent
not
@example
./config.status foobar:foo.in:bar.in
@end example
The supported @var{option}s are:
@table @code
@item --help
@itemx -h
Print a summary of the command line options, the list of the template
files and exit.
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@item --debug
@itemx -d
Don't remove the temporary files.
@item --file=@var{file}[:@var{template}]
Require that @var{file} be instantiated as if
@samp{AC_CONFIG_FILES(@var{file}:@var{template})} was used.
This option and the following provide one way for separately distributed
packages to share the values computed by @code{configure}. Doing so can
be useful if some of the packages need a superset of the features that
one of them, perhaps a common library, does. These options allow a
@file{config.status} file to create files other than the ones that its
@file{configure.in} specifies, so it can be used for a different
package.
@item --header=@var{file}[:@var{template}]
Require that @var{file} be instantiated as if
@samp{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS(@var{file}:@var{template})} was used.
@item --recheck
Ask @file{config.status} to update itself and exit (no instantiation).
This option is useful if you change @code{configure}, so that the
results of some tests might be different from the previous run. The
@samp{--recheck} option re-runs @code{configure} with the same arguments
you used before, plus the @samp{--no-create} option, which prevent
@code{configure} from running @file{config.status} and creating
@file{Makefile} and other files, and the @samp{--no-recursion} option,
which prevents @code{configure} from running other @code{configure}
scripts in subdirectories. (This is so other @file{Makefile} rules can
run @file{config.status} when it changes; @pxref{Automatic Remaking},
for an example).
@end table
@file{config.status} checks several optional environment variables that
can alter its behavior:
@defvar CONFIG_SHELL
@evindex CONFIG_SHELL
The shell with which to run @code{configure} for the @samp{--recheck}
option. It must be Bourne-compatible. The default is @file{/bin/sh}.
@end defvar
@defvar CONFIG_STATUS
@evindex CONFIG_STATUS
The file name to use for the shell script that records the
configuration. The default is @file{./config.status}. This variable is
useful when one package uses parts of another and the @code{configure}
scripts shouldn't be merged because they are maintained separately.
@end defvar
You can use @file{./config.status} in your Makefiles. For example, in
the dependencies given above (@pxref{Automatic Remaking}),
@file{config.status} is run twice when @file{configure.in} has changed.
If that bothers you, you can make each run only regenerate the files for
that rule:
@example
@group
config.h: stamp-h
stamp-h: config.h.in config.status
./config.status config.h
echo > stamp-h
Makefile: Makefile.in config.status
./config.status Makefile
@end group
@end example
The calling convention of @file{config.status} has changed, see
@ref{Obsolete config.status Use}, for details.
@c =================================================== Obsolete Constructs
@node Obsolete Constructs, Questions, config.status Invocation, Top
@chapter Obsolete Constructs
Autoconf changes, and along the years, some constructs are obsoleted.
Most of the changes involve the macros, but the tools themselves, or
even some concepts, are now considered obsolete.
You may completely skip this chapter if you are new to Autoconf, it's
intention is mainly to help maintainers updating their packages by
understanding how to move to more modern constructs.
@menu
* Obsolete config.status Use:: Different calling convention
* acconfig.h:: Additional entries in @file{config.h.in}
* autoupdate Invocation:: Automatic update of @file{configure.in}
* Obsolete Macros:: Backward compatibility macros
* Autoconf 1:: Tips for upgrading your files
@end menu
@node Obsolete config.status Use, acconfig.h, Obsolete Constructs, Obsolete Constructs
@section Obsolete @file{config.status} Invocation
@file{config.status} now supports arguments to specify the files to
instantiate, see @ref{config.status Invocation}, for more details.
Before, environment variables had to be used.
@defvar CONFIG_COMMANDS
@evindex CONFIG_COMMANDS
The tags of the commands to execute. The default is the arguments given
to @code{AC_OUTPUT} and @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS} in
@file{configure.in}.
@end defvar
@defvar CONFIG_FILES
@evindex CONFIG_FILES
The files in which to perform @samp{@@@var{variable}@@} substitutions.
The default is the arguments given to @code{AC_OUTPUT} and
@code{AC_CONFIG_FILES} in @file{configure.in}.
@end defvar
@defvar CONFIG_HEADERS
@evindex CONFIG_HEADERS
The files in which to substitute C @code{#define} statements. The
default is the arguments given to @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS}; if that
macro was not called, @file{config.status} ignores this variable.
@end defvar
@defvar CONFIG_LINKS
@evindex CONFIG_LINKS
The symbolic links to establish. The default is the arguments given to
@code{AC_CONFIG_LINKS}; if that macro was not called,
@file{config.status} ignores this variable.
@end defvar
In @ref{config.status Invocation}, using this old interface, the example
would be:
@example
@group
config.h: stamp-h
stamp-h: config.h.in config.status
CONFIG_COMMANDS= CONFIG_LINKS= CONFIG_FILES= \
CONFIG_HEADERS=config.h ./config.status
echo > stamp-h
Makefile: Makefile.in config.status
CONFIG_COMMANDS= CONFIG_LINKS= CONFIG_HEADERS= \
CONFIG_FILES=Makefile ./config.status
@end group
@end example
@noindent
(If @file{configure.in} does not call @code{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS}, there is
no need to set @code{CONFIG_HEADERS} in the @code{make} rules, equally
for @code{CONFIG_COMMANDS} etc.)
@node acconfig.h, autoupdate Invocation, Obsolete config.status Use, Obsolete Constructs
@section @file{acconfig.h}
@cindex @file{acconfig.h}
@cindex @file{config.h.top}
@cindex @file{config.h.bot}
@code{autoheader} scans @file{configure.in} and figures out which C
preprocessor symbols it might define. It copies comments and
@code{#define} and @code{#undef} statements from a file called
@file{acconfig.h} in the current directory, if present. This file used
to be mandatory if you @code{AC_DEFINE} any additional symbols. Now,
you are encouraged to use the @code{AH} series of macros
(@pxref{Autoheader Macros}).
The file that @code{autoheader} creates contains mainly @code{#define}
and @code{#undef} statements and their accompanying comments. If
@file{./acconfig.h} contains the string @samp{@@TOP@@},
@code{autoheader} copies the lines before the line containing
@samp{@@TOP@@} into the top of the file that it generates. Similarly,
if @file{./acconfig.h} contains the string @samp{@@BOTTOM@@},
@code{autoheader} copies the lines after that line to the end of the
file it generates. Either or both of those strings may be omitted.
An alternate way to produce the same effect is to create the files
@file{@var{file}.top} (typically @file{config.h.top}) and/or
@file{@var{file}.bot} in the current directory. If they exist,
@code{autoheader} copies them to the beginning and end, respectively, of
its output. Their use is discouraged because they have file names that
contain two periods, and so cannot be stored on MS-DOS; also, they are
two more files to clutter up the directory. But if you use the
@samp{--localdir=@var{dir}} option to use an @file{acconfig.h} in
another directory, they give you a way to put custom boilerplate in each
individual @file{config.h.in}.
@node autoupdate Invocation, Obsolete Macros, acconfig.h, Obsolete Constructs
@section Using @code{autoupdate} to Modernize @code{configure}
@cindex @code{autoupdate}
The @code{autoupdate} program updates a @file{configure.in} file that
calls Autoconf macros by their old names to use the current macro names.
In version 2 of Autoconf, most of the macros were renamed to use a more
uniform and descriptive naming scheme. @xref{Macro Names}, for a
description of the new scheme. Although the old names still work
(@pxref{Obsolete Macros}, for a list of the old macros and the corresponding
new names), you can make your @file{configure.in} files more readable
and make it easier to use the current Autoconf documentation if you
update them to use the new macro names.
@evindex SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX
If given no arguments, @code{autoupdate} updates @file{configure.in},
backing up the original version with the suffix @file{~} (or the value
of the environment variable @code{SIMPLE_BACKUP_SUFFIX}, if that is
set). If you give @code{autoupdate} an argument, it reads that file
instead of @file{configure.in} and writes the updated file to the
standard output.
@noindent
@code{autoupdate} accepts the following options:
@table @code
@item --help
@itemx -h
Print a summary of the command line options and exit.
@item --version
@itemx -V
Print the version number of Autoconf and exit.
@item --verbose
@itemx -v
Report processing steps.
@item --debug
@itemx -d
Don't remove the temporary files.
@item --macrodir=@var{dir}
@itemx -m @var{dir}
@evindex AC_MACRODIR
Look for the installed macro files in directory @var{dir}. You can also
set the @code{AC_MACRODIR} environment variable to a directory; this
option overrides the environment variable.
@item --localdir=@var{dir}
@itemx -l @var{dir}
Look for the package file @file{aclocal.m4} in directory @var{dir}
instead of in the current directory.
@end table
@node Obsolete Macros, Autoconf 1, autoupdate Invocation, Obsolete Constructs
@section Obsolete Macros
Several macros are obsoleted in Autoconf, for various reasons (typically
they failed to quote properly, couldn't be extended for more recent
issues etc.). They are still supported, but deprecated: their use
should be avoided.
During the jump between Autoconf version 1 and version 2, most of the
macros were renamed to use a more uniform and descriptive naming scheme,
but their signature did not change. @xref{Macro Names}, for a
description of the new naming scheme. Below, there is just the mapping
from old names to new names for these macros, the reader is invited to
refer to the definition of the new macro for the signature, and the
description.
@defmac AC_ALLOCA
@maindex ALLOCA
@code{AC_FUNC_ALLOCA}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ARG_ARRAY
@maindex ARG_ARRAY
removed because of limited usefulness
@end defmac
@defmac AC_C_CROSS
@maindex C_CROSS
This macro is obsolete; it does nothing.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CANONICAL_SYSTEM
@maindex CANONICAL_SYSTEM
Determine the system type and set output variables to the names of the
canonical system types. @xref{System Type Variables}, for details about
the variables this macro sets.
The user is encouraged to explicitly use either
@code{AC_CANONICAL_BUILD}, or @code{AC_CANONICAL_HOST}, or
@code{AC_CANONICAL_TARGET}, depending on her needs. Using
@code{AC_CANONICAL_TARGET} is enough to run the three macros.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHAR_UNSIGNED
@maindex CHAR_UNSIGNED
@code{AC_C_CHAR_UNSIGNED}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CHECK_TYPE (@var{type}, @var{default})
@maindex CHECK_TYPE
Autoconf, up to 2.13, used to provide to this version of
@code{AC_CHECK_TYPE}, broken by design. First, although it is a member
of the @code{CHECK} clan, singular sub-family, it does more than just
checking. Second, missing types are not typedef'd, they are defined,
which can lead to incompatible code in the case of pointer types.
This use of @code{AC_CHECK_TYPE} is obsolete and discouraged, see
@ref{Generic Types}, for the description of the current macro.
If the type @var{type} is not defined, define it to be the C (or C++)
builtin type @var{default}; e.g., @samp{short} or @samp{unsigned}.
This macro is equivalent to
@example
AC_CHECK_TYPE([@var{type}],
[AC_DEFINE([@var{type}], [@var{default}],
[Define to `@var{default}' if <sys/types.h>
does not define.])])
@end example
In order to keep backward compatibility, the two versions of
@code{AC_CHECK_TYPE} are implemented, selected by a simple heuristics:
@itemize @bullet
@item
if there are three or four arguments, the modern version is used;
@item
if the second argument is a C or C++ @strong{builtin} type, then the
obsolete version is used;
@item
if the second argument is spelled with the alphabet of valid C and C++
types, the user is warned and the modern version is used;
@item
otherwise, the modern version is used.
@end itemize
@noindent
In particular, the following code, which was invalid but functional:
@example
AC_CHECK_TYPE(loff_t, off_t)
@end example
@noindent
will be improperly branched to the modern implementation. You are
encouraged either to use a valid builtin type, or to use the equivalent
modern code (see above), or better yet, to use @code{AC_CHECK_TYPES}
together with
@example
#if !HAVE_LOFF_T
typedef loff_t off_t;
#endif
@end example
@end defmac
@c end of AC_CHECK_TYPE
@defmac AC_CHECKING (@var{feature-description})
@maindex CHECKING
This macro is similar to @code{AC_MSG_CHECKING}, except that it prints a
newline after the @var{feature-description}. It is useful mainly to
print a general description of the overall purpose of a group of feature
checks, e.g.,
@example
AC_CHECKING(if stack overflow is detectable)
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_COMPILE_CHECK (@var{echo-text}, @var{includes}, @var{function-body}, @var{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found})
@maindex COMPILE_CHECK
This is an obsolete version of @code{AC_TRY_LINK} (@pxref{Examining
Libraries}), with the addition that it prints @samp{checking for
@var{echo-text}} to the standard output first, if @var{echo-text} is
non-empty. Use @code{AC_MSG_CHECKING} and @code{AC_MSG_RESULT} instead
to print messages (@pxref{Printing Messages}).
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CONST
@maindex CONST
@code{AC_C_CONST}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CROSS_CHECK
@maindex CROSS_CHECK
@code{AC_C_CROSS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_CYGWIN
@maindex CYGWIN
Checked for the Cygwin environment in which case the shell variable
@code{CYGWIN} is set to @samp{yes}. @code{AC_EXEEXT} now handles this
task.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_DECL_YYTEXT
Does nothing, now integrated in @code{AC_PROG_LEX}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_DYNIX_SEQ
@maindex DYNIX_SEQ
If on Dynix/PTX (Sequent @sc{unix}), add @samp{-lseq} to output variable
@code{LIBS}. This macro used to be defined as
@example
AC_CHECK_LIB(seq, getmntent, LIBS="-lseq $LIBS")
@end example
@noindent
now it is just @code{AC_FUNC_GETMNTENT}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_EXEEXT
@maindex EXEEXT
@ovindex EXEEXT
@ovindex CYGWIN
@ovindex EMXOS2
@ovindex MINGW32
Defined the output variable @code{EXEEXT} based on the output of the
compiler, after @samp{.$ac_ext} (i.e. source files of the current
language), @samp{.o}, @samp{.obj} and @samp{.xcoff} files have been
excluded. Typically set to empty string if Unix and @samp{.exe} if
Win32 or OS/2.
This macro sets the shell variable @code{CYGWIN} to @samp{yes} if run in
the Cygwin environment, @code{EMXOS2} to @samp{yes} if in the EMX
environment on OS/2, and @code{MINGW32} to @samp{yes} with the MingW32
compiler.
Now handled by the macros checking for the compiler.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_EMXOS2
@maindex EMXOS2
Checks for the EMX environment on OS/2in which case the shell variable
@code{EMXOS2} is set to @samp{yes}. @code{AC_EXEEXT} now handles this
task.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ERROR
@maindex ERROR
@code{AC_MSG_ERROR}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FIND_X
@maindex FIND_X
@code{AC_PATH_X}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FIND_XTRA
@maindex FIND_XTRA
@code{AC_PATH_XTRA}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_FUNC_CHECK
@maindex FUNC_CHECK
@code{AC_CHECK_FUNC}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_GCC_TRADITIONAL
@maindex GCC_TRADITIONAL
@code{AC_PROG_GCC_TRADITIONAL}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_GETGROUPS_T
@maindex GETGROUPS_T
@code{AC_TYPE_GETGROUPS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_GETLOADAVG
@maindex GETLOADAVG
@code{AC_FUNC_GETLOADAVG}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HAVE_FUNCS
@maindex HAVE_FUNCS
@code{AC_CHECK_FUNCS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HAVE_HEADERS
@maindex HAVE_HEADERS
@code{AC_CHECK_HEADERS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HAVE_LIBRARY (@var{library}, @ovar{action-if-found}, @ovar{action-if-not-found}, @ovar{other-libraries})
@maindex HAVE_LIBRARY
This macro is equivalent to calling @code{AC_CHECK_LIB} with a
@var{function} argument of @code{main}. In addition, @var{library} can
be written as any of @samp{foo}, @samp{-lfoo}, or @samp{libfoo.a}. In
all of those cases, the compiler is passed @samp{-lfoo}. However,
@var{library} cannot be a shell variable; it must be a literal name.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HAVE_POUNDBANG
@maindex HAVE_POUNDBANG
@code{AC_SYS_INTERPRETER} (different calling convention)
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_CHECK
@maindex HEADER_CHECK
@code{AC_CHECK_HEADER}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_HEADER_EGREP
@maindex HEADER_EGREP
@code{AC_EGREP_HEADER}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_INIT (@var{unique-file-in-source-dir})
@maindex INIT
Formerly @code{AC_INIT} used to have a single argument, and was
equivalent to:
@example
AC_INIT
AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR(@var{unique-file-in-source-dir})
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_INLINE
@maindex INLINE
@code{AC_C_INLINE}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_IRIX_SUN
@maindex IRIX_SUN
If on IRIX (Silicon Graphics @sc{unix}), add @samp{-lsun} to output
@code{LIBS}. If you were using it to get @code{getmntent}, use
@code{AC_FUNC_GETMNTENT} instead. If you used it for the NIS versions
of the password and group functions, use @samp{AC_CHECK_LIB(sun,
getpwnam)}. Up to Autoconf 2.13, it used to be
@example
AC_CHECK_LIB(sun, getmntent, LIBS="-lsun $LIBS")
@end example
@noindent
now it is defined as
@example
AC_FUNC_GETMNTENT
AC_CHECK_LIB(sun, getpwnam)
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_C
@maindex LANG_C
Same as @samp{AC_LANG(C)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_CPLUSPLUS
@maindex LANG_CPLUSPLUS
Same as @samp{AC_LANG(C++)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_FORTRAN77
@maindex LANG_FORTRAN77
Same as @samp{AC_LANG(Fortran 77)}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_RESTORE
@maindex LANG_RESTORE
Select the @var{language} that is saved on the top of the stack, as set
by @code{AC_LANG_SAVE}, remove it from the stack, and call
@code{AC_LANG(@var{language})}.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LANG_SAVE
@maindex LANG_SAVE
Remember the current language (as set by @code{AC_LANG}) on a stack.
Doe not change which language is current. @code{AC_LANG_PUSH} is
preferred.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LINK_FILES (@var{source}@dots{}, @var{dest}@dots{})
@maindex LINK_FILES
This is an obsolete version of @code{AC_CONFIG_LINKS}. An updated
version of:
@example
AC_LINK_FILES(config/$machine.h config/$obj_format.h,
host.h object.h)
@end example
@noindent
is:
@example
AC_CONFIG_LINKS(host.h:config/$machine.h
object.h:config/$obj_format.h)
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LN_S
@maindex LN_S
@code{AC_PROG_LN_S}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LONG_DOUBLE
@maindex LONG_DOUBLE
@code{AC_C_LONG_DOUBLE}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_LONG_FILE_NAMES
@maindex LONG_FILE_NAMES
@code{AC_SYS_LONG_FILE_NAMES}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MAJOR_HEADER
@maindex MAJOR_HEADER
@code{AC_HEADER_MAJOR}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MINGW32
@maindex MINGW32
Checked for the MingW32 compiler environment, in which case the shell
variable @code{MINGW32} is set to @samp{yes}. @code{AC_EXEEXT} now
handles this task.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MINUS_C_MINUS_O
@maindex MINUS_C_MINUS_O
@code{AC_PROG_CC_C_O}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MMAP
@maindex MMAP
@code{AC_FUNC_MMAP}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_MODE_T
@maindex MODE_T
@code{AC_TYPE_MODE_T}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_OBJEXT
@maindex OBJEXT
@ovindex OBJEXT
Defined the output variable @code{OBJEXT} based on the output of the
compiler, after .c files have been excluded. Typically set to @samp{o}
if Unix, @samp{obj} if Win32. Now the compiler checking macros handle
this.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_OBSOLETE (@var{this-macro-name}, @ovar{suggestion})
@maindex OBSOLETE
Make @code{m4} print a message on the standard error output warning that
@var{this-macro-name} is obsolete, and giving the file and line number
where it was called. @var{this-macro-name} should be the name of the
macro that is calling @code{AC_OBSOLETE}. If @var{suggestion} is given,
it is printed at the end of the warning message; for example, it can be
a suggestion for what to use instead of @var{this-macro-name}.
For instance
@example
AC_OBSOLETE([$0], [; use AC_CHECK_HEADERS(unistd.h) instead])dnl
@end example
You are encouraged to use @code{AU_DEFUN} instead, since it gives better
services to the user.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_OFF_T
@maindex OFF_T
@code{AC_TYPE_OFF_T}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_OUTPUT (@ovar{file}@dots{}, @ovar{extra-cmds}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@maindex OUTPUT
The use of @code{AC_OUTPUT} with argument is deprecated, this obsoleted
interface is equivalent to:
@example
@group
AC_CONFIG_FILES(@var{file}@dots{})
AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS([default],
@var{extra-cmds}, @var{init-cmds})
AC_OUTPUT
@end group
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS (@var{extra-cmds}, @ovar{init-cmds})
@maindex OUTPUT_COMMANDS
Specify additional shell commands to run at the end of
@file{config.status}, and shell commands to initialize any variables
from @code{configure}. This macro may be called multiple times. It is
obsolete, replaced by @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS}.
Here is an unrealistic example:
@example
fubar=27
AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS([echo this is extra $fubar, and so on.],
fubar=$fubar)
AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS([echo this is another, extra, bit],
[echo init bit])
@end example
Aside from the fact that @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS} requires an
additional key, an important difference is that
@code{AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS} is quoting its arguments twice, while
@code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS}. This means that @code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS}
can safely be given macro calls as arguments:
@example
AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS(foo, [my_FOO()])
@end example
@noindent
conversely, where one level of quoting was enough for literal strings
with @code{AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS}, you need two with
@code{AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS}. The following lines are equivalent:
@example
@group
AC_OUTPUT_COMMANDS([echo "Square brackets: []"])
AC_CONFIG_COMMANDS(default, [[echo "Square brackets: []"]])
@end group
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PID_T
@maindex PID_T
@code{AC_TYPE_PID_T}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PREFIX
@maindex PREFIX
@code{AC_PREFIX_PROGRAM}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROGRAMS_CHECK
@maindex PROGRAMS_CHECK
@code{AC_CHECK_PROGS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROGRAMS_PATH
@maindex PROGRAMS_PATH
@code{AC_PATH_PROGS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROGRAM_CHECK
@maindex PROGRAM_CHECK
@code{AC_CHECK_PROG}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROGRAM_EGREP
@maindex PROGRAM_EGREP
@code{AC_EGREP_CPP}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_PROGRAM_PATH
@maindex PROGRAM_PATH
@code{AC_PATH_PROG}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_REMOTE_TAPE
@maindex REMOTE_TAPE
removed because of limited usefulness
@end defmac
@defmac AC_RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS
@maindex RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS
@code{AC_SYS_RESTARTABLE_SYSCALLS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_RETSIGTYPE
@maindex RETSIGTYPE
@code{AC_TYPE_SIGNAL}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_RSH
@maindex RSH
removed because of limited usefulness
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SCO_INTL
@maindex SCO_INTL
@ovindex LIBS
If on SCO UNIX, add @samp{-lintl} to output variable @code{LIBS}. This
macro used to
@example
AC_CHECK_LIB(intl, strftime, LIBS="-lintl $LIBS")
@end example
@noindent
now it just calls @code{AC_FUNC_STRFTIME} instead.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SETVBUF_REVERSED
@maindex SETVBUF_REVERSED
@code{AC_FUNC_SETVBUF_REVERSED}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SET_MAKE
@maindex SET_MAKE
@code{AC_PROG_MAKE_SET}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SIZEOF_TYPE
@maindex SIZEOF_TYPE
@code{AC_CHECK_SIZEOF}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SIZE_T
@maindex SIZE_T
@code{AC_TYPE_SIZE_T}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STAT_MACROS_BROKEN
@maindex STAT_MACROS_BROKEN
@code{AC_HEADER_STAT}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STDC_HEADERS
@maindex STDC_HEADERS
@code{AC_HEADER_STDC}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_STRCOLL
@maindex STRCOLL
@code{AC_FUNC_STRCOLL}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ST_BLKSIZE
@maindex ST_BLKSIZE
@code{AC_STRUCT_ST_BLKSIZE}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ST_BLOCKS
@maindex ST_BLOCKS
@code{AC_STRUCT_ST_BLOCKS}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_ST_RDEV
@maindex ST_RDEV
@code{AC_STRUCT_ST_RDEV}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_SYS_SIGLIST_DECLARED
@maindex SYS_SIGLIST_DECLARED
@code{AC_DECL_SYS_SIGLIST}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TEST_CPP
@maindex TEST_CPP
@code{AC_TRY_CPP}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TEST_PROGRAM
@maindex TEST_PROGRAM
@code{AC_TRY_RUN}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TIMEZONE
@maindex TIMEZONE
@code{AC_STRUCT_TIMEZONE}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_TIME_WITH_SYS_TIME
@maindex TIME_WITH_SYS_TIME
@code{AC_HEADER_TIME}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_UID_T
@maindex UID_T
@code{AC_TYPE_UID_T}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_UTIME_NULL
@maindex UTIME_NULL
@code{AC_FUNC_UTIME_NULL}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_VERBOSE (@var{result-description})
@maindex VERBOSE
This macro is similar to @code{AC_MSG_RESULT}, except that it is meant
to follow a call to @code{AC_CHECKING} instead of
@code{AC_MSG_CHECKING}; it starts the message it prints with a tab. It
is considered obsolete.
@end defmac
@defmac AC_VFORK
@maindex VFORK
@code{AC_FUNC_VFORK}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_VPRINTF
@maindex VPRINTF
@code{AC_FUNC_VPRINTF}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_WAIT3
@maindex WAIT3
@code{AC_FUNC_WAIT3}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_WARN
@maindex WARN
@code{AC_MSG_WARN}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_WORDS_BIGENDIAN
@maindex WORDS_BIGENDIAN
@code{AC_C_BIGENDIAN}
@end defmac
@defmac AC_XENIX_DIR
@maindex XENIX_DIR
@ovindex LIBS
This macro used to add @samp{-lx} to output variable @code{LIBS} if on
Xenix. Also, if @file{dirent.h} is being checked for, added
@samp{-ldir} to @code{LIBS}. Now it is merely an alias of
@code{AC_HEADER_DIRENT} instead, plus some code to detect whether
running @sc{xenix} on which you should not depend:
@example
AC_MSG_CHECKING(for Xenix)
AC_EGREP_CPP(yes,
[#if defined(M_XENIX) && !defined(M_UNIX)
yes
#endif],
[AC_MSG_RESULT(yes); XENIX=yes],
[AC_MSG_RESULT(no); XENIX=])
@end example
@end defmac
@defmac AC_YYTEXT_POINTER
@maindex YYTEXT_POINTER
@code{AC_DECL_YYTEXT}
@end defmac
@node Autoconf 1, , Obsolete Macros, Obsolete Constructs
@section Upgrading From Version 1
Autoconf version 2 is mostly backward compatible with version 1.
However, it introduces better ways to do some things, and doesn't
support some of the ugly things in version 1. So, depending on how
sophisticated your @file{configure.in} files are, you might have to do
some manual work in order to upgrade to version 2. This chapter points
out some problems to watch for when upgrading. Also, perhaps your
@code{configure} scripts could benefit from some of the new features in
version 2; the changes are summarized in the file @file{NEWS} in the
Autoconf distribution.
@menu
* Changed File Names:: Files you might rename
* Changed Makefiles:: New things to put in @file{Makefile.in}
* Changed Macros:: Macro calls you might replace
* Changed Results:: Changes in how to check test results
* Changed Macro Writing:: Better ways to write your own macros
@end menu
@node Changed File Names, Changed Makefiles, Autoconf 1, Autoconf 1
@subsection Changed File Names
If you have an @file{aclocal.m4} installed with Autoconf (as opposed to
in a particular package's source directory), you must rename it to
@file{acsite.m4}. @xref{autoconf Invocation}.
If you distribute @file{install.sh} with your package, rename it to
@file{install-sh} so @code{make} builtin rules won't inadvertently
create a file called @file{install} from it. @code{AC_PROG_INSTALL}
looks for the script under both names, but it is best to use the new name.
If you were using @file{config.h.top} or @file{config.h.bot}, you still
can, but you will have less clutter if you merge them into
@file{acconfig.h}. @xref{autoheader Invocation}.
@node Changed Makefiles, Changed Macros, Changed File Names, Autoconf 1
@subsection Changed Makefiles
Add @samp{@@CFLAGS@@}, @samp{@@CPPFLAGS@@}, and @samp{@@LDFLAGS@@} in
your @file{Makefile.in} files, so they can take advantage of the values
of those variables in the environment when @code{configure} is run.
Doing this isn't necessary, but it's a convenience for users.
Also add @samp{@@configure_input@@} in a comment to each input file for
@code{AC_OUTPUT}, so that the output files will contain a comment saying
they were produced by @code{configure}. Automatically selecting the
right comment syntax for all the kinds of files that people call
@code{AC_OUTPUT} on became too much work.
Add @file{config.log} and @file{config.cache} to the list of files you
remove in @code{distclean} targets.
If you have the following in @file{Makefile.in}:
@example
prefix = /usr/local
exec_prefix = $(prefix)
@end example
@noindent
you must change it to:
@example
prefix = @@prefix@@
exec_prefix = @@exec_prefix@@
@end example
@noindent
The old behavior of replacing those variables without @samp{@@}
characters around them has been removed.
@node Changed Macros, Changed Results, Changed Makefiles, Autoconf 1
@subsection Changed Macros
Many of the macros were renamed in Autoconf version 2. You can still
use the old names, but the new ones are clearer, and it's easier to find
the documentation for them. @xref{Obsolete Macros}, for a table showing the
new names for the old macros. Use the @code{autoupdate} program to
convert your @file{configure.in} to using the new macro names.
@xref{autoupdate Invocation}.
Some macros have been superseded by similar ones that do the job better,
but are not call-compatible. If you get warnings about calling obsolete
macros while running @code{autoconf}, you may safely ignore them, but
your @code{configure} script will generally work better if you follow
the advice it prints about what to replace the obsolete macros with. In
particular, the mechanism for reporting the results of tests has
changed. If you were using @code{echo} or @code{AC_VERBOSE} (perhaps
via @code{AC_COMPILE_CHECK}), your @code{configure} script's output will
look better if you switch to @code{AC_MSG_CHECKING} and
@code{AC_MSG_RESULT}. @xref{Printing Messages}. Those macros work best
in conjunction with cache variables. @xref{Caching Results}.
@node Changed Results, Changed Macro Writing, Changed Macros, Autoconf 1
@subsection Changed Results
If you were checking the results of previous tests by examining the
shell variable @code{DEFS}, you need to switch to checking the values of
the cache variables for those tests. @code{DEFS} no longer exists while
@code{configure} is running; it is only created when generating output
files. This difference from version 1 is because properly quoting the
contents of that variable turned out to be too cumbersome and
inefficient to do every time @code{AC_DEFINE} is called. @xref{Cache
Variable Names}.
For example, here is a @file{configure.in} fragment written for Autoconf
version 1:
@example
AC_HAVE_FUNCS(syslog)
case "$DEFS" in
*-DHAVE_SYSLOG*) ;;
*) # syslog is not in the default libraries. See if it's in some other.
saved_LIBS="$LIBS"
for lib in bsd socket inet; do
AC_CHECKING(for syslog in -l$lib)
LIBS="$saved_LIBS -l$lib"
AC_HAVE_FUNCS(syslog)
case "$DEFS" in
*-DHAVE_SYSLOG*) break ;;
*) ;;
esac
LIBS="$saved_LIBS"
done ;;
esac
@end example
Here is a way to write it for version 2:
@example
AC_CHECK_FUNCS(syslog)
if test $ac_cv_func_syslog = no; then
# syslog is not in the default libraries. See if it's in some other.
for lib in bsd socket inet; do
AC_CHECK_LIB($lib, syslog, [AC_DEFINE(HAVE_SYSLOG)
LIBS="$LIBS -l$lib"; break])
done
fi
@end example
If you were working around bugs in @code{AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED} by adding
backslashes before quotes, you need to remove them. It now works
predictably, and does not treat quotes (except back quotes) specially.
@xref{Setting Output Variables}.
All of the boolean shell variables set by Autoconf macros now use
@samp{yes} for the true value. Most of them use @samp{no} for false,
though for backward compatibility some use the empty string instead. If
you were relying on a shell variable being set to something like 1 or
@samp{t} for true, you need to change your tests.
@node Changed Macro Writing, , Changed Results, Autoconf 1
@subsection Changed Macro Writing
When defining your own macros, you should now use @code{AC_DEFUN}
instead of @code{define}. @code{AC_DEFUN} automatically calls
@code{AC_PROVIDE} and ensures that macros called via @code{AC_REQUIRE}
do not interrupt other macros, to prevent nested @samp{checking@dots{}}
messages on the screen. There's no actual harm in continuing to use the
older way, but it's less convenient and attractive. @xref{Macro
Definitions}.
You probably looked at the macros that came with Autoconf as a guide for
how to do things. It would be a good idea to take a look at the new
versions of them, as the style is somewhat improved and they take
advantage of some new features.
If you were doing tricky things with undocumented Autoconf internals
(macros, variables, diversions), check whether you need to change
anything to account for changes that have been made. Perhaps you can
even use an officially supported technique in version 2 instead of
kludging. Or perhaps not.
To speed up your locally written feature tests, add caching to them.
See whether any of your tests are of general enough usefulness to
encapsulate into macros that you can share.
@c ================================================ Questions About Autoconf.
@node Questions, History, Obsolete Constructs, Top
@chapter Questions About Autoconf
Several questions about Autoconf come up occasionally. Here some of them
are addressed.
@menu
* Distributing:: Distributing @code{configure} scripts
* Why GNU m4:: Why not use the standard @code{m4}?
* Bootstrapping:: Autoconf and GNU @code{m4} require each other?
* Why Not Imake:: Why GNU uses @code{configure} instead of Imake
@end menu
@node Distributing, Why GNU m4, Questions, Questions
@section Distributing @code{configure} Scripts
@display
What are the restrictions on distributing @code{configure}
scripts that Autoconf generates? How does that affect my
programs that use them?
@end display
There are no restrictions on how the configuration scripts that Autoconf
produces may be distributed or used. In Autoconf version 1, they were
covered by the @sc{gnu} General Public License. We still encourage
software authors to distribute their work under terms like those of the
GPL, but doing so is not required to use Autoconf.
Of the other files that might be used with @code{configure},
@file{config.h.in} is under whatever copyright you use for your
@file{configure.in}, since it is derived from that file and from the
public domain file @file{acconfig.h}. @file{config.sub} and
@file{config.guess} have an exception to the GPL when they are used with
an Autoconf-generated @code{configure} script, which permits you to
distribute them under the same terms as the rest of your package.
@file{install-sh} is from the X Consortium and is not copyrighted.
@node Why GNU m4, Bootstrapping, Distributing, Questions
@section Why Require @sc{gnu} @code{m4}?
@display
Why does Autoconf require @sc{gnu} @code{m4}?
@end display
Many @code{m4} implementations have hard-coded limitations on the size
and number of macros, which Autoconf exceeds. They also lack several
builtin macros that it would be difficult to get along without in a
sophisticated application like Autoconf, including:
@example
builtin
indir
patsubst
__file__
__line__
@end example
Autoconf requires version 1.4 or above of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} because it
uses frozen state files.
Since only software maintainers need to use Autoconf, and since @sc{gnu}
@code{m4} is simple to configure and install, it seems reasonable to
require @sc{gnu} @code{m4} to be installed also. Many maintainers of
@sc{gnu} and other free software already have most of the @sc{gnu}
utilities installed, since they prefer them.
@node Bootstrapping, Why Not Imake, Why GNU m4, Questions
@section How Can I Bootstrap?
@display
If Autoconf requires @sc{gnu} @code{m4} and @sc{gnu} @code{m4} has an
Autoconf @code{configure} script, how do I bootstrap? It seems like a
chicken and egg problem!
@end display
This is a misunderstanding. Although @sc{gnu} @code{m4} does come with
a @code{configure} script produced by Autoconf, Autoconf is not required
in order to run the script and install @sc{gnu} @code{m4}. Autoconf is
only required if you want to change the @code{m4} @code{configure}
script, which few people have to do (mainly its maintainer).
@node Why Not Imake, , Bootstrapping, Questions
@section Why Not Imake?
@display
Why not use Imake instead of @code{configure} scripts?
@end display
Several people have written addressing this question, so I include
adaptations of their explanations here.
The following answer is based on one written by Richard Pixley:
@quotation
Autoconf generated scripts frequently work on machines which it has
never been set up to handle before. That is, it does a good job of
inferring a configuration for a new system. Imake cannot do this.
Imake uses a common database of host specific data. For X11, this makes
sense because the distribution is made as a collection of tools, by one
central authority who has control over the database.
@sc{gnu} tools are not released this way. Each @sc{gnu} tool has a
maintainer; these maintainers are scattered across the world. Using a
common database would be a maintenance nightmare. Autoconf may appear
to be this kind of database, but in fact it is not. Instead of listing
host dependencies, it lists program requirements.
If you view the @sc{gnu} suite as a collection of native tools, then the
problems are similar. But the @sc{gnu} development tools can be
configured as cross tools in almost any host+target permutation. All of
these configurations can be installed concurrently. They can even be
configured to share host independent files across hosts. Imake doesn't
address these issues.
Imake templates are a form of standardization. The @sc{gnu} coding
standards address the same issues without necessarily imposing the same
restrictions.
@end quotation
Here is some further explanation, written by Per Bothner:
@quotation
One of the advantages of Imake is that it easy to generate large
Makefiles using @code{cpp}'s @samp{#include} and macro mechanisms.
However, @code{cpp} is not programmable: it has limited conditional
facilities, and no looping. And @code{cpp} cannot inspect its
environment.
All of these problems are solved by using @code{sh} instead of
@code{cpp}. The shell is fully programmable, has macro substitution,
can execute (or source) other shell scripts, and can inspect its
environment.
@end quotation
Paul Eggert elaborates more:
@quotation
With Autoconf, installers need not assume that Imake itself is already
installed and working well. This may not seem like much of an advantage
to people who are accustomed to Imake. But on many hosts Imake is not
installed or the default installation is not working well, and requiring
Imake to install a package hinders the acceptance of that package on
those hosts. For example, the Imake template and configuration files
might not be installed properly on a host, or the Imake build procedure
might wrongly assume that all source files are in one big directory
tree, or the Imake configuration might assume one compiler whereas the
package or the installer needs to use another, or there might be a
version mismatch between the Imake expected by the package and the Imake
supported by the host. These problems are much rarer with Autoconf,
where each package comes with its own independent configuration
processor.
Also, Imake often suffers from unexpected interactions between
@code{make} and the installer's C preprocessor. The fundamental problem
here is that the C preprocessor was designed to preprocess C programs,
not @file{Makefile}s. This is much less of a problem with Autoconf,
which uses the general-purpose preprocessor @code{m4}, and where the
package's author (rather than the installer) does the preprocessing in a
standard way.
@end quotation
Finally, Mark Eichin notes:
@quotation
Imake isn't all that extensible, either. In order to add new features to
Imake, you need to provide your own project template, and duplicate most
of the features of the existing one. This means that for a sophisticated
project, using the vendor-provided Imake templates fails to provide any
leverage---since they don't cover anything that your own project needs
(unless it is an X11 program).
On the other side, though:
The one advantage that Imake has over @code{configure}:
@file{Imakefile}s tend to be much shorter (likewise, less redundant)
than @file{Makefile.in}s. There is a fix to this, however---at least
for the Kerberos V5 tree, we've modified things to call in common
@file{post.in} and @file{pre.in} @file{Makefile} fragments for the
entire tree. This means that a lot of common things don't have to be
duplicated, even though they normally are in @code{configure} setups.
@end quotation
@c ===================================================== History of Autoconf.
@node History, Environment Variable Index, Questions, Top
@chapter History of Autoconf
You may be wondering, Why was Autoconf originally written? How did it
get into its present form? (Why does it look like gorilla spit?) If
you're not wondering, then this chapter contains no information useful
to you, and you might as well skip it. If you @emph{are} wondering,
then let there be light@dots{}
@menu
* Genesis:: Prehistory and naming of @code{configure}
* Exodus:: The plagues of @code{m4} and Perl
* Leviticus:: The priestly code of portability arrives
* Numbers:: Growth and contributors
* Deuteronomy:: Approaching the promises of easy configuration
@end menu
@node Genesis, Exodus, History, History
@section Genesis
In June 1991 I was maintaining many of the @sc{gnu} utilities for the
Free Software Foundation. As they were ported to more platforms and
more programs were added, the number of @samp{-D} options that users had
to select in the @file{Makefile} (around 20) became burdensome.
Especially for me---I had to test each new release on a bunch of
different systems. So I wrote a little shell script to guess some of
the correct settings for the fileutils package, and released it as part
of fileutils 2.0. That @code{configure} script worked well enough that
the next month I adapted it (by hand) to create similar @code{configure}
scripts for several other @sc{gnu} utilities packages. Brian Berliner
also adapted one of my scripts for his CVS revision control system.
Later that summer, I learned that Richard Stallman and Richard Pixley
were developing similar scripts to use in the @sc{gnu} compiler tools;
so I adapted my @code{configure} scripts to support their evolving
interface: using the file name @file{Makefile.in} as the templates;
adding @samp{+srcdir}, the first option (of many); and creating
@file{config.status} files.
@node Exodus, Leviticus, Genesis, History
@section Exodus
As I got feedback from users, I incorporated many improvements, using
Emacs to search and replace, cut and paste, similar changes in each of
the scripts. As I adapted more @sc{gnu} utilities packages to use
@code{configure} scripts, updating them all by hand became impractical.
Rich Murphey, the maintainer of the @sc{gnu} graphics utilities, sent me
mail saying that the @code{configure} scripts were great, and asking if
I had a tool for generating them that I could send him. No, I thought,
but I should! So I started to work out how to generate them. And the
journey from the slavery of hand-written @code{configure} scripts to the
abundance and ease of Autoconf began.
Cygnus @code{configure}, which was being developed at around that time,
is table driven; it is meant to deal mainly with a discrete number of
system types with a small number of mainly unguessable features (such as
details of the object file format). The automatic configuration system
that Brian Fox had developed for Bash takes a similar approach. For
general use, it seems to me a hopeless cause to try to maintain an
up-to-date database of which features each variant of each operating
system has. It's easier and more reliable to check for most features on
the fly---especially on hybrid systems that people have hacked on
locally or that have patches from vendors installed.
I considered using an architecture similar to that of Cygnus
@code{configure}, where there is a single @code{configure} script that
reads pieces of @file{configure.in} when run. But I didn't want to have
to distribute all of the feature tests with every package, so I settled
on having a different @code{configure} made from each
@file{configure.in} by a preprocessor. That approach also offered more
control and flexibility.
I looked briefly into using the Metaconfig package, by Larry Wall,
Harlan Stenn, and Raphael Manfredi, but I decided not to for several
reasons. The @code{Configure} scripts it produces are interactive,
which I find quite inconvenient; I didn't like the ways it checked for
some features (such as library functions); I didn't know that it was
still being maintained, and the @code{Configure} scripts I had
seen didn't work on many modern systems (such as System V R4 and NeXT);
it wasn't very flexible in what it could do in response to a feature's
presence or absence; I found it confusing to learn; and it was too big
and complex for my needs (I didn't realize then how much Autoconf would
eventually have to grow).
I considered using Perl to generate my style of @code{configure}
scripts, but decided that @code{m4} was better suited to the job of
simple textual substitutions: it gets in the way less, because output is
implicit. Plus, everyone already has it. (Initially I didn't rely on
the @sc{gnu} extensions to @code{m4}.) Also, some of my friends at the
University of Maryland had recently been putting @code{m4} front ends on
several programs, including @code{tvtwm}, and I was interested in trying
out a new language.
@node Leviticus, Numbers, Exodus, History
@section Leviticus
Since my @code{configure} scripts determine the system's capabilities
automatically, with no interactive user intervention, I decided to call
the program that generates them Autoconfig. But with a version number
tacked on, that name would be too long for old @sc{unix} file systems,
so I shortened it to Autoconf.
In the fall of 1991 I called together a group of fellow questers after
the Holy Grail of portability (er, that is, alpha testers) to give me
feedback as I encapsulated pieces of my handwritten scripts in @code{m4}
macros and continued to add features and improve the techniques used in
the checks. Prominent among the testers were
@ifinfo
Franc,ois
@end ifinfo
@tex
Fran\c cois
@end tex
Pinard, who came up with the idea of making an @file{autoconf} shell
script to run @code{m4} and check for unresolved macro calls; Richard
Pixley, who suggested running the compiler instead of searching the file
system to find include files and symbols, for more accurate results;
Karl Berry, who got Autoconf to configure @TeX{} and added the
macro index to the documentation; and Ian Taylor, who added support for
creating a C header file as an alternative to putting @samp{-D} options
in a @file{Makefile}, so he could use Autoconf for his UUCP package. The
alpha testers cheerfully adjusted their files again and again as the
names and calling conventions of the Autoconf macros changed from
release to release. They all contributed many specific checks, great
ideas, and bug fixes.
@node Numbers, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, History
@section Numbers
In July 1992, after months of alpha testing, I released Autoconf 1.0,
and converted many @sc{gnu} packages to use it. I was surprised by how
positive the reaction to it was. More people started using it than I
could keep track of, including people working on software that wasn't
part of the @sc{gnu} Project (such as TCL, FSP, and Kerberos V5).
Autoconf continued to improve rapidly, as many people using the
@code{configure} scripts reported problems they encountered.
Autoconf turned out to be a good torture test for @code{m4}
implementations. @sc{unix} @code{m4} started to dump core because of
the length of the macros that Autoconf defined, and several bugs showed
up in @sc{gnu} @code{m4} as well. Eventually, we realized that we
needed to use some features that only @sc{gnu} @code{m4} has.
4.3@sc{bsd} @code{m4}, in particular, has an impoverished set of builtin
macros; the System V version is better, but still doesn't provide
everything we need.
More development occurred as people put Autoconf under more stresses
(and to uses I hadn't anticipated). Karl Berry added checks for X11.
david zuhn contributed C++ support.
@ifinfo
Franc,ois
@end ifinfo
@tex
Fran\c cois
@end tex
Pinard made it diagnose invalid arguments. Jim Blandy bravely coerced
it into configuring @sc{gnu} Emacs, laying the groundwork for several
later improvements. Roland McGrath got it to configure the @sc{gnu} C
Library, wrote the @code{autoheader} script to automate the creation of
C header file templates, and added a @samp{--verbose} option to
@code{configure}. Noah Friedman added the @samp{--macrodir} option and
@code{AC_MACRODIR} environment variable. (He also coined the term
@dfn{autoconfiscate} to mean ``adapt a software package to use
Autoconf''.) Roland and Noah improved the quoting protection in
@code{AC_DEFINE} and fixed many bugs, especially when I got sick of
dealing with portability problems from February through June, 1993.
@node Deuteronomy, , Numbers, History
@section Deuteronomy
A long wish list for major features had accumulated, and the effect of
several years of patching by various people had left some residual
cruft. In April 1994, while working for Cygnus Support, I began a major
revision of Autoconf. I added most of the features of the Cygnus
@code{configure} that Autoconf had lacked, largely by adapting the
relevant parts of Cygnus @code{configure} with the help of david zuhn
and Ken Raeburn. These features include support for using
@file{config.sub}, @file{config.guess}, @samp{--host}, and
@samp{--target}; making links to files; and running @code{configure}
scripts in subdirectories. Adding these features enabled Ken to convert
@sc{gnu} @code{as}, and Rob Savoye to convert DejaGNU, to using
Autoconf.
I added more features in response to other peoples' requests. Many
people had asked for @code{configure} scripts to share the results of
the checks between runs, because (particularly when configuring a large
source tree, like Cygnus does) they were frustratingly slow. Mike
Haertel suggested adding site-specific initialization scripts. People
distributing software that had to unpack on MS-DOS asked for a way to
override the @file{.in} extension on the file names, which produced file
names like @file{config.h.in} containing two dots. Jim Avera did an
extensive examination of the problems with quoting in @code{AC_DEFINE}
and @code{AC_SUBST}; his insights led to significant improvements.
Richard Stallman asked that compiler output be sent to @file{config.log}
instead of @file{/dev/null}, to help people debug the Emacs
@code{configure} script.
I made some other changes because of my dissatisfaction with the quality
of the program. I made the messages showing results of the checks less
ambiguous, always printing a result. I regularized the names of the
macros and cleaned up coding style inconsistencies. I added some
auxiliary utilities that I had developed to help convert source code
packages to use Autoconf. With the help of
@ifinfo
Franc,ois
@end ifinfo
@tex
Fran\c cois
@end tex
Pinard, I made the macros not interrupt each others' messages. (That
feature revealed some performance bottlenecks in @sc{gnu} @code{m4},
which he hastily corrected!) I reorganized the documentation around
problems people want to solve. And I began a test suite, because
experience had shown that Autoconf has a pronounced tendency to regress
when we change it.
Again, several alpha testers gave invaluable feedback, especially
@ifinfo
Franc,ois
@end ifinfo
@tex
Fran\c cois
@end tex
Pinard, Jim Meyering, Karl Berry, Rob Savoye, Ken Raeburn, and Mark
Eichin.
Finally, version 2.0 was ready. And there was much rejoicing. (And I
have free time again. I think. Yeah, right.)
@c ========================================================== Appendices
@node Environment Variable Index, Output Variable Index, History, Top
@unnumbered Environment Variable Index
This is an alphabetical list of the environment variables that Autoconf
checks.
@printindex ev
@node Output Variable Index, Preprocessor Symbol Index, Environment Variable Index, Top
@unnumbered Output Variable Index
This is an alphabetical list of the variables that Autoconf can
substitute into files that it creates, typically one or more
@file{Makefile}s. @xref{Setting Output Variables}, for more information
on how this is done.
@printindex ov
@node Preprocessor Symbol Index, Macro Index, Output Variable Index, Top
@unnumbered Preprocessor Symbol Index
This is an alphabetical list of the C preprocessor symbols that the
Autoconf macros define. To work with Autoconf, C source code needs to
use these names in @code{#if} directives.
@printindex cv
@node Macro Index, Concept Index, Preprocessor Symbol Index, Top
@unnumbered Macro Index
This is an alphabetical list of the Autoconf macros. To make the list
easier to use, the macros are listed without their preceding @samp{AC_}.
@printindex ma
@node Concept Index, , Macro Index, Top
@unnumbered Concept Index
@c FIXME: Find some nice wording to introduce this section.
@printindex cp
@contents
@bye
@c Local Variables:
@c ispell-local-dictionary: "american"
@c End:
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