5.1 Format of Makefile.am

A Makefile.am file contains variable definitions, rules, comments, and include directives. Its format is similar to that of a Makefile, used as input to the Make program.

Variable definitions, rules and comments from Makefile.am and any included files are copied into the generated Makefile.in file, with all variable definitions preceding all rules. Automake keeps comments grouped with any adjoining rules or variable definitions.