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GNU Make VS Autoconf

Compare GNU Make VS Autoconf and see what are their differences

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Contents:
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  2. » Reviews
  3. » Alternatives

GNU Make logo GNU Make

GNU Make is a tool which controls the generation of executables and other non-source files of a program from the program's source files.

Autoconf logo Autoconf

GNU Autoconf is a tool for producing configure scripts for building, installing and packaging...
  • GNU Make Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-12
  • Autoconf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-15

GNU Make features and specs

  • Portability
    GNU Make is highly portable and can be used across various Unix-like operating systems as well as on Windows.
  • Dependency Management
    It efficiently handles complex dependencies between various parts of the software, ensuring that changes are propagated properly.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, GNU Make is freely available and can be modified according to user needs.
  • Wide Adoption
    It is widely adopted in the industry, which means that there is extensive documentation and a large community for support.
  • Efficiency
    GNU Make speeds up the build process by only recompiling the necessary parts of the codebase.

Possible disadvantages of GNU Make

  • Complex Syntax
    The syntax of GNU Makefiles can become very complex, especially for large projects, making them hard to read and maintain.
  • Limited Cross-Platform Scripting
    While the tool itself is cross-platform, Makefiles can sometimes include shell commands that are not portable.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Beginners may find it challenging to grasp the concepts and syntax of GNU Make, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Debugging Difficulty
    Debugging Makefiles can be difficult, with limited tools available to trace or step through the make process.
  • Performance Bottlenecks
    For extremely large projects, performance can become an issue, as the evaluation of dependencies might become slow.

Autoconf features and specs

  • Portability
    Autoconf helps create scripts that automatically configure software to adapt to various Unix flavors and systems, enhancing portability across different environments.
  • Flexibility
    Autoconf provides a high degree of flexibility by allowing developers to customize checks and macros based on project requirements.
  • Maturity
    Being a mature tool, Autoconf has a widespread user base and an extensive set of features that have been refined over time.
  • Open Source
    Autoconf is open-source software, allowing developers to modify and improve the tool as needed, with a large community for support.

Possible disadvantages of Autoconf

  • Complexity
    Autoconf can be complex and difficult to configure, requiring a learning curve for new developers not familiar with its syntax and ecosystem.
  • Generated Scripts
    The configure scripts generated by Autoconf can become large and difficult to debug, making the build process less transparent.
  • Dependency
    Autoconf relies on other tools like M4, making it necessary to manage additional dependencies when setting up and using the tool.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running the configuration scripts can add overhead to the build process, leading to slower configuration times compared to simpler systems.

Analysis of GNU Make

Overall verdict

  • Yes, GNU Make is a robust and reliable tool for managing build processes. Its long-established reputation and widespread use in both open-source and commercial projects underline its effectiveness and flexibility.

Why this product is good

  • GNU Make is widely used because it automates the build process, efficiently handling dependencies and detecting minimal sets of changes in source files. It is highly customizable, supports non-recursive builds, and integrates well into various development environments.

Recommended for

  • Software developers working on C/C++ projects
  • Teams looking to automate build processes
  • Projects that require cross-platform build capabilities
  • Developers who prefer command-line tools
  • Open-source project maintainers

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GNU Make and Autoconf)

GNU Make

Autoconf

Front End Package Manager
84 84%
Front End Package Manager
16% 16
JavaScript Package Manager
80 80%
JavaScript Package Manager
20% 20
JS Build Tools
84 84%
JS Build Tools
16% 16
Development
100 100%
Development
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing GNU Make and Autoconf, you can also consider the following products

CMake - CMake is an open-source, cross-platform family of tools designed to build, test and package software.

SCons - SCons is an Open Source software construction tool—that is, a next-generation build tool.

SBT - SBT is a build tool for Scala, like Ant or Maven but with hieroglyphics.

Ninja Build - Ninja is a small build system with a focus on speed.

Gradle - Accelerate developer productivity. Gradle helps teams build, automate and deliver better software, faster. DocsExplore the documentation of Gradle. Find installation ..

npm - npm is a package manager for Node.

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