(autocf21.info.gz) Why GNU m4

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 12.2 Why Require GNU `m4'?
 ==========================
 
      Why does Autoconf require GNU `m4'?
 
    Many `m4' implementations have hard-coded limitations on the size
 and number of macros, which Autoconf exceeds.  They also lack several
 builtin macros that it would be difficult to get along without in a
 sophisticated application like Autoconf, including:
 
      builtin
      indir
      patsubst
      __file__
      __line__
 
    Since only software maintainers need to use Autoconf, and since GNU
 `m4' is simple to configure and install, it seems reasonable to require
 GNU `m4' to be installed also.  Many maintainers of GNU and other free
 software already have most of the GNU utilities installed, since they
 prefer them.
 

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