3.7 Bootstrap

The "Bootstrap" step is typically used to create the necessary build infrastructure for a particular platform. In the Autotools camp, there are two well known methods for bootstrapping:

`bootstrap'

This method assumes the only files stored in revision control are the source format. This includes the `configure.ac', `Makefile.am', and any helper `.m4' files. Running this bootstrapper usually does not run the configure script. It is intended for developers to use in the development process and often never makes it to end users in the release distributions.

`autogen.sh'

This method assumes some of the target generated files from the source formats are stored in revision control. You would see `Makefile.in' and other miscellaneous files. Running this bootstrapper usually does run the configure script. It is intended to appease both developers and end users (I think).

In either case, RERO supports the "Bootstrap" through a method setting.