How to Fix autoconf-style Configuration Probing
Summary
The article analyzes the shortcomings of autoconf-style configuration probing (wastefulness, brittleness, slowness, and lack of change-tracking) and proposes an alternative approach based on expectation-based configuration and using build systems to perform probes in parallel with change awareness. It argues for integrating probing into the build process (update-during-load), introduces the concept of control probes to improve brittleness, and presents practical references (build2) and concrete examples and performance claims demonstrating feasibility.