Summary
Using M4 is deceptively complex. On the surface it appears simple, but as you get deeper into it, you find ways of using it that almost defy comprehension. While the complexities do exist, they're not insurmountable. As you become truly proficient with M4, you'll find that your way of thinking about certain problems changes. It's worth gaining some M4 proficiency for that reason alone. It's like adding a new tool to your software engineering toolbox.
Because the very foundation of Autoconf is M4, becoming proficient with M4 will give you more insight into Autoconf than you might think. The more about M4 you know, the more about Autoconf you'll understand at a glance.
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