[Sussex] make automake, configure and templates

[dominic.clay at btopenworld.com]

Hi all,

I have been trying to get my head around the complex world of 'make', 'autoconf' etc.

It seems there are loads of tools for creating a Makefile and configure files. In the creating of said files, there are loads  of template files like 'Makefile.in', 'configure.ac' etc.

My aim is first to just understand these tools and where the scripts come from.

Does anyone have any good help links (apart from the standard Gnu ones) or useful gems of beginner knowledge to pass on in this field. One of my main starting questions is how do you start from a blank canvas? Are there any completely generic templates or tools that can create a generic template for me?

Cheers,
Dominic