GNU Automake Releases Version 1.20
The new release adds jobserver support, a delete-on-error option, and a print-distfiles target while moving its license to GPLv3.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Software
GNU Automake has released version 1.20, adding features and fixing long-standing bugs in its build tooling. The project also upgraded its license from GPLv2 (or later) to GPLv3 (or later).
Why it matters
Automake is a core component of the GNU Build System (autotools), used to generate build files for software projects. The maintainer says the goal is to re-establish autotools as the build system of choice for new software projects.
Version 1.20 adds --enable-jobserver for compiler and linker access to GNU make's jobserver and a delete-on-error option, while distcheck no longer requires TeX by default. The release notes do not provide benchmark figures or measured performance comparisons against earlier versions.
The players
GNU Automake
GNU Automake is a tool within the GNU project that generates Makefiles for software packages, forming part of the autotools suite.
The details
Automake 1.20 fixes bugs affecting dependency tracking, lex/yacc output in VPATH builds, Vala builds, distribution compression, and uninstall checks. A print-distfiles target was also added, and the project's license moved from GPLv2 (or later) to GPLv3 (or later).
Timeline
Automake 1.20 release coverage was published on November 7, 2026.
The Tech Race
The release continues the GNU Build System (autotools) as an established toolchain for C and C++ projects. The maintainer's stated aim is to re-establish autotools as the build system of choice for new software projects, competing with newer alternatives such as CMake.
Developers maintaining projects built with autotools may need to review the new --enable-jobserver and delete-on-error options. Projects that relied on TeX for distcheck will no longer need it by default.
The takeaway
Developers maintaining autotools-based projects can benefit from the fixed dependency-tracking and VPATH bugs. The licensing move to GPLv3 may matter for projects evaluating license compatibility.
Further reading
For more on open-source development tools, explore our Software coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phoronix.
