m4

{
  "aliases": [],
  "alternatives": [
    "cpp"
  ],
  "build_dependencies": [],
  "categories": [
    "macro-processor",
    "build-system"
  ],
  "caveats": null,
  "conflicts_with": [],
  "dependencies": [],
  "deprecated": 0,
  "deprecation_reason": null,
  "desc": "Macro processing language",
  "disable_reason": null,
  "disabled": 0,
  "enrichment_fetched_at": "2026-06-20T23:40:39+00:00",
  "first_seen": "2026-06-20T23:34:18+00:00",
  "full_name": "m4",
  "github_default_branch": null,
  "github_last_commit_at": null,
  "github_readme_excerpt": null,
  "github_repo": null,
  "github_stars": null,
  "github_topics": [],
  "homepage": "https://www.gnu.org/software/m4/",
  "homepage_og_description": null,
  "homepage_og_image": null,
  "homepage_title": "GNU M4 - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation",
  "installs_30d": 63154,
  "installs_365d": 975492,
  "installs_90d": 252255,
  "keg_only": 1,
  "keg_only_reason": ":provided_by_macos",
  "last_seen": "2026-06-20T23:34:18+00:00",
  "license": "GPL-3.0-or-later",
  "llm_generated_at": "2026-06-20T23:42:40+00:00",
  "llm_model": "claude-haiku-4-5",
  "name": "m4",
  "oldnames": [],
  "one_liner": "GNU macro processor language that expands text substitutions, commonly used in build systems like autoconf.",
  "optional_dependencies": [],
  "rank_30d": 95,
  "rank_365d": 53,
  "rank_90d": 66,
  "raw_hash": "84479a017402ad58",
  "recommended_dependencies": [],
  "revision": 0,
  "ruby_source_path": "Formula/m/m4.rb",
  "tap": "homebrew/core",
  "test_dependencies": [],
  "uses_from_macos": [],
  "version_head": null,
  "version_stable": "1.4.21",
  "versioned_formulae": [],
  "why_use_this": "M4 is a build-system dependency, particularly for autoconf/automake-based projects. macOS ships an older version; Homebrew\u0027s is keg-only because the system version is sufficient for most users, but you may need it explicitly for projects requiring a newer M4 or for development work on autotools-based codebases."
}