GNU Automake

Spec sheet

Purpose

GNU Automake generates GNU Coding Standards compliant Makefile.in files from Makefile.am templates.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Intended users

Automake is intended to reduce Makefile maintenance for GNU package maintainers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Integrations

Automake works with Autoconf and documents building shared libraries using GNU Libtool.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Support

Automake provides public mailing lists for discussion, patches, and bug reports.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Autoconf requirement

Automake requires projects to use GNU Autoconf.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Distribution archives

Automake can generate gzipped tar files and other archive formats for distribution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Download channels

Stable releases are available from the GNU download server and mirrors, while development sources are available through Git on Savannah.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Maintenance

The project page identifies Jim Meyering as Automake's maintainer and says new volunteers are needed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Notable constraint

Automake imposes project constraints, including assumptions about Autoconf use and restrictions on configure.ac contents.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Perl requirement

Automake requires Perl to generate Makefile.in files, but the resulting distributions do not require Perl to build.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Programs and libraries

Automake provides functionality for building programs, libraries, and shared libraries.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Security notice

The GNU Automake page says versions 1.12.2 and 1.11.6 fix CVE-2012-3386 in make distcheck rules.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Testing

Automake supports DejaGnu and generic script based test suites, including concurrent execution, TAP, and custom test drivers and runners.Read 11 Oct 2026 · gnu.org

Plans and prices

Every GNU Automake plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Build Automation Software#28 of 427.4