---
name: "autoconf-dickey"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "autoconf-dickey"
version: "2.52+20250126-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/autoconf-dickey"
---

# autoconf-dickey(1)

Generate configuration scripts

## NAME

autoconf - Generate configuration scripts

## SYNOPSIS

**autoconf** \[*OPTION*\] ... \[*TEMPLATE-FILE*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Generate a configuration script from a TEMPLATE-FILE if given, or \`configure.ac' if present, or else \`configure.in'.  Output is sent to the standard output if TEMPLATE-FILE is given, else into \`configure'.

### Operation modes:

- **-h**, **--help**

  print this help, then exit

- **-V**, **--version**

  print version number, then exit

- **-v**, **--verbose**

  verbosely report processing

- **-d**, **--debug**

  don't remove temporary files

- **-o**, **--output**=*FILE*

  save output in FILE (stdout is the default)

- **-W**, **--warnings**=*CATEGORY*

  report the warnings falling in CATEGORY \[syntax\]

## OPTIONS

- **--opt-functions**

  use shell-functions to reduce repetition

### Warning categories include:

- \`cross'

  cross compilation issues

- \`obsolete'

  obsolete constructs

- \`syntax'

  dubious syntactic constructs

- \`all'

  all the warnings

- \`no-CATEGORY'

  turn off the warnings on CATEGORY

- \`none'

  turn off all the warnings

- \`error'

  warnings are error

The environment variable \`WARNINGS' is honored.

### Library directories:

- **-A**, **--autoconf-dir**=*ACDIR*

  Autoconf's macro files location (rarely needed)

- **-l**, **--localdir**=*DIR*

  location of the \`aclocal.m4' file

### Tracing:

- **-t**, **--trace**=*MACRO*

  report the list of calls to MACRO

- **-i**, **--initialization**

  also trace Autoconf's initialization process

In tracing mode, no configuration script is created.

## AUTHOR

Written by David J. MacKenzie.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to \<dickey@invisible-island.net\>.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright 2003-2022,2023        Thomas E. Dickey\
 Copyright 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.\
 This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

## SEE ALSO

[**autoconf**(1)](/autoconf/1.md), [**autoreconf**(1)](/autoreconf/1.md), [**autoupdate**(1)](/autoupdate/1.md), [**autoheader**(1)](/autoheader/1.md), [**autoscan**(1)](/autoscan/1.md), [**config.guess**(1)](/config.guess/1.md), [**config.sub**(1)](/config.sub/1.md), [**ifnames**(1)](/ifnames/1.md), [**libtool**(1)](/libtool/1.md).

The full documentation for **autoconf** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **autoconf** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info autoconf**

should give you access to the complete manual.