Sometimes when testing out an pattern or algorithm that requires platform or OS specific features, hardware interfacing or raw speed, C is the only language in which to implement it.

This is a quick note-to-self for future reference. I currently have these steps in a text file on my laptop as a reminder of what needs to be done when starting a simple project in C, allowing Automake to generate your build scripts for you.

Add source files
Add Makefile.am
autoscan
Add AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE to configure.scan
mv configure.scan configure.ac
touch README NEWS AUTHORS ChangeLog
autoreconf --install
./configure
make