autoconf

How do I compile Autoconf from git without already having Autoconf

I am on an OS that doesn't currently have Autoconf so I am trying to install from source using git clone git://git.sv.gnu.org/autoconf but there is no configure in that folder. I know there are other ways like using a package manager or downloading the tar version with the existing configure file.

But how do I compile Autoconf if I don't already have autoconf installed?

Solution

  • But how do I compile Autoconf if I don't already have autoconf installed?

    Install autoconf from a tarball or package manager and follow the steps in README-hacking, e.g.:

    $ autoreconf -vi

    will generate configure. Implicity, the answer to your question is: you don't, if you follow the steps in README-hacking.

    I've always grabbed a tarball if a package wasn't available on a platform to get a working copy of autoconf.