imake is an outdated build automation system using the C language preprocessor.
imake generates files for make based on templates, a set of C macro preprocessor macros, and an Imakefile directory file. This allows you to set dependencies (such as compiler options, alternative command names, special assembly rules) to separate from the description of the units being assembled.
imake came from the X Window System and has been part of its delivery since version 11. With the release of X.org, X11R7.0 has been replaced by GNU autotools . X11R6.9 is the latest version of X.org using imake; currently imake is used only by XFree86 .
Additional Sources
- imake FAQ on the Wisconsin Higher Regional Development Center website