17. History of Autoconf

You may be wondering, Why was Autoconf originally written? How did it get into its present form? (Why does it look like gorilla spit?) If you're not wondering, then this chapter contains no information useful to you, and you might as well skip it. If you are wondering, then let there be light...

17.1 Genesis		Prehistory and naming of configure
17.2 Exodus		The plagues of M4 and Perl
17.3 Leviticus		The priestly code of portability arrives
17.4 Numbers		Growth and contributors
17.5 Deuteronomy		Approaching the promises of easy configuration