dist: accept .md versions for README et al.

This change was suggested by madmurphy; some ideas were taken
from the patch he provided.
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/automake-patches/2021-06/msg00005.html

* bin/automake.in (@toplevelmd_ok): new global, listing the files
for which we will accept .md versions.
(@common_files): remove those files from there.
(handle_dist): check for .md if non-.md is absent.
(handle_minor_options): check for README-alpha.md.
(check_gnu_standards): accept .md version if present.
(check_gnits_standards): likewise.
(usage): output list of .md-accepted files.
* doc/automake.texi (Basics of Distribution): document.

* t/toplevelmd.sh: new test.
* t/list-of-tests.mk (handwritten_tests): add it.
* NEWS: mention new feature.

5 files changed, 265 insertions, 105 deletions

diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 5e92387e2..a4f689bc4 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ New in ?.?.?:
 
 * New features added
 
+  - Common top-level files can be provided as .md; the non-md version is
+  used if both are present:
+      AUTHORS ChangeLog INSTALL NEWS README README-alpha THANKS
+
   - CTAGS, ETAGS, SCOPE variables can be set via configure.
 
   - PYTHON_PREFIX and PYTHON_EXEC_PREFIX variables now set from Python's
@@ -17,6 +21,7 @@ New in ?.?.?:
 * Bugs fixed
 
   - automake output reproducible.
+
   - test-driver less likely to clash with tests writing to the same file.
 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@@ -30,7 +35,7 @@ New in 1.16.3:
 
 * Bugs fixed
 
-  - Python 3.10 version number no longer considered to be 3.1.
+  - Python version number 3.10 no longer considered to be 3.1.
 
   - Broken links in manual fixed or removed, and new script
     contrib/checklinkx (a small modification of W3C checklink) added,
diff --git a/bin/automake.in b/bin/automake.in
index 19ea9538f..72c35793d 100644
--- a/bin/automake.in
+++ b/bin/automake.in
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!@PERL@
 # automake - create Makefile.in from Makefile.am            -*- perl -*-
 # @configure_input@
-# Copyright (C) 1994-2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+# Copyright (C) 1994-2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
 
 # This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 # it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -199,11 +199,14 @@ my @libtool_files = qw(ltmain.sh config.guess config.sub);
 # ltconfig appears here for compatibility with old versions of libtool.
 my @libtool_sometimes = qw(ltconfig ltcf-c.sh ltcf-cxx.sh ltcf-gcj.sh);
 
-# Commonly found files we look for and automatically include in
-# DISTFILES.
+# Top-level files that can be foo.md instead of foo.  We assume that all
+# but THANKS are required at strictness level gnu.
+my @toplevelmd_ok = qw(AUTHORS ChangeLog INSTALL NEWS README THANKS);
+
+# Commonly found files we look for and automatically include in DISTFILES.
 my @common_files =
-    (qw(ABOUT-GNU ABOUT-NLS AUTHORS BACKLOG COPYING COPYING.DOC COPYING.LIB
-	COPYING.LESSER ChangeLog INSTALL NEWS README THANKS TODO
+    (qw(ABOUT-GNU ABOUT-NLS BACKLOG COPYING
+        COPYING.DOC COPYING.LIB COPYING.LESSER TODO
 	ar-lib compile config.guess config.rpath
 	config.sub depcomp install-sh libversion.in mdate-sh
 	missing mkinstalldirs py-compile texinfo.tex ylwrap),
@@ -3833,7 +3836,7 @@ sub handle_dist ()
 	  $check_aux = 1;
 	}
     }
-  foreach my $cfile (@common_files)
+  foreach my $cfile (@toplevelmd_ok, @common_files)
     {
       if (dir_has_case_matching_file ($relative_dir, $cfile)
 	  # The file might be absent, but if it can be built it's ok.
@@ -3841,13 +3844,30 @@ sub handle_dist ()
 	{
 	  push_dist_common ($cfile);
 	}
+      elsif (grep { $_ eq $cfile } @toplevelmd_ok)
+        { # Irritatingly, have to repeat the checks, now for .md files;
+          # we want to prefer non-.md, so do this second, and only "elsif".
+          if (dir_has_case_matching_file ($relative_dir, "$cfile.md")
+	      || rule "$cfile.md")
+  	    {
+	      push_dist_common ("$cfile.md");
+	    }
+        }
 
       # Don't use 'elsif' here because a file might meaningfully
-      # appear in both directories.
+      # appear in both $relative_dir and $config_aux_dir.
       if ($check_aux && dir_has_case_matching_file ($config_aux_dir, $cfile))
 	{
 	  push_dist_common ("$config_aux_dir/$cfile")
 	}
+      elsif ($check_aux && grep { $_ eq $cfile } @toplevelmd_ok)
+        {
+          if (dir_has_case_matching_file ($config_aux_dir, "$cfile.md")
+	      || rule "$cfile.md")
+  	    {
+	      push_dist_common ("$cfile.md");
+	    }
+        }
     }
 
   # We might copy elements from @configure_dist_common to
@@ -5119,11 +5139,12 @@ sub handle_minor_options ()
 		   "version '$package_version' doesn't follow " .
 		   "Gnits standards");
 	    }
-	  if (defined $1 && -f 'README-alpha')
+	  if (defined $1 && (-f 'README-alpha' || -f 'README-alpha.md'))
 	    {
 	      # This means we have an alpha release.  See
 	      # GNITS_VERSION_PATTERN for details.
-	      push_dist_common ('README-alpha');
+	      my $af = -f 'README-alpha' ? 'README-alpha' : 'README-alpha.md';
+	      push_dist_common ($af);
 	    }
 	}
     }
@@ -5610,8 +5631,16 @@ sub check_gnu_standards ()
   if ($relative_dir eq '.')
     {
       # In top level (or only) directory.
-      require_file ("$am_file.am", GNU,
-		    qw/INSTALL NEWS README AUTHORS ChangeLog/);
+
+      foreach my $file (@toplevelmd_ok)
+        {
+          next if $file eq 'THANKS'; # gnits, checked below
+          # if non-.md is absent, and .md is present, require .md;
+          # otherwise require non-.md.
+          my $required
+           = (! -f $file && -f "$file.md") ? "$file.md" : $file;
+          require_file ("$am_file.am", GNU, $required);
+        }
 
       # Accept one of these three licenses; default to COPYING.
       # Make sure we do not overwrite an existing license.
@@ -5642,7 +5671,10 @@ sub check_gnits_standards ()
   if ($relative_dir eq '.')
     {
       # In top level (or only) directory.
-      require_file ("$am_file.am", GNITS, 'THANKS');
+      my $file = 'THANKS';
+      my $required
+       = (! -f $file && -f "$file.md") ? "$file.md" : $file;
+      require_file ("$am_file.am", GNITS, $file);
     }
 }
 
@@ -8156,8 +8188,11 @@ Library files:
           "(always):\n";
     print_autodist_files @common_files;
     print "\nFiles automatically distributed if found " .
+          "(as .md if needed):\n";
+    print_autodist_files (map { "${_}[.md]" } @toplevelmd_ok);
+    print "\nFiles automatically distributed if found " .
           "(under certain conditions):\n";
-    print_autodist_files @common_sometimes;
+    print_autodist_files @common_sometimes, 'README-alpha[.md]';
 
     print '
 Report bugs to <@PACKAGE_BUGREPORT@>.
diff --git a/doc/automake.texi b/doc/automake.texi
index 351b0a1bb..f1deff813 100644
--- a/doc/automake.texi
+++ b/doc/automake.texi
@@ -8515,60 +8515,91 @@ We recommend that you follow this same set of heuristics in your
 @vindex VERSION
 @trindex dist
 The @code{dist} rule in the generated @file{Makefile.in} can be used
-to generate a gzipped @code{tar} file and other flavors of archive for
-distribution.  The file is named based on the @code{PACKAGE} and
+to generate a gzipped @code{tar} file and/or other flavors of archives
+for distribution.  The file is named based on the @code{PACKAGE} and
 @code{VERSION} variables automatically defined by either the
 @code{AC_INIT} invocation or by a @emph{deprecated} two-arguments
-invocation of the @code{AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE} macro (see @ref{Public Macros}
-for how these variables get their values, from either defaults or explicit
-values---it's slightly trickier than one would expect).
-More precisely the gzipped @code{tar} file is named
+invocation of the @code{AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE} macro (see @ref{Public
+Macros} for how these variables get their values, from either defaults
+or explicit values---it's slightly trickier than one would expect).
+More precisely, the gzipped @code{tar} file is named
 @samp{$@{PACKAGE@}-$@{VERSION@}.tar.gz}.
 
-@vindex GZIP_ENV
-You can use the @command{make} variable @code{GZIP_ENV} to control how gzip
-is run.  The default setting is @option{--best}.
-
 @c See automake #9822.
 @vindex TAR
 You can set the environment variable @code{TAR} to override the tar
-program used; it defaults to @code{tar}.
+program used; it defaults to @code{tar}.  @xref{The Types of
+Distributions}, for how to generate other kinds of archives.
+
+For the most part, the files to distribute are automatically found by
+Automake:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+All source files are automatically included in a distribution, as are
+all @file{Makefile.am} and @file{Makefile.in} files.
+
+@acindex AC_CONFIG_FILES
+@item
+Files that are read by @command{configure} are automatically
+distributed.  These are the source files as specified in various
+Autoconf macros such as @code{AC_CONFIG_FILES} and siblings.
 
 @cindex @code{m4_include}, distribution
 @cindex @code{include}, distribution
 @acindex m4_include
 @cmindex include
-For the most part, the files to distribute are automatically found by
-Automake: all source files are automatically included in a
-distribution, as are all @file{Makefile.am} and @file{Makefile.in}
-files.  Automake also has a built-in list of commonly used files that
-are automatically included if they are found in the current directory
-(either physically, or as the target of a @file{Makefile.am} rule);
-this list is printed by @samp{automake --help}.  However, some files
-in this list are distributed only if other certain conditions hold
-(for example,
+@item
+Files included in a @file{Makefile.am} (using @code{include}) or in
+@file{configure.ac} (using @code{m4_include}).
+
+@item
+Automake has a built-in list of commonly used files automatically
+included in the distribution if they are found in the current
+directory (either physically, or as the target of a @file{Makefile.am}
+rule).  Some common examples: @file{ABOUT-GNU}, @file{COPYING},
+@file{TODO}.
+
+This list also includes helper scripts installed with @samp{automake
+--add-missing}.  Some common examples: @file{compile},
+@file{config.guess}, @file{config.rpath}, @file{config.sub},
+@file{texinfo.tex}.
+
+@item
+Automake has another built-in list of files automatically distributed
+if they are found either with the plain name, or with extension
+@file{.md} (presumably MarkDown, though this not checked).  They are
+checked for in that order, so the plain name is preferred.  These are:
+@file{AUTHORS ChangeLog INSTALL NEWS README README-alpha THANKS}.
+
+@item
+A final built-in list of files are those distributed only if other
+certain conditions hold. For example,
 @c Keep in sync with autodist-config-headers.sh
-the @file{config.h.top} and @file{config.h.bot} files are automatically
-distributed only if, e.g., @samp{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])} is used
-in @file{configure.ac}).  Also, files that are read by @command{configure}
-(i.e., the source files corresponding to the files specified in various
-Autoconf macros such as @code{AC_CONFIG_FILES} and siblings) are
-automatically distributed.  Files included in a @file{Makefile.am} (using
-@code{include}) or in @file{configure.ac} (using @code{m4_include}), and
-helper scripts installed with @samp{automake --add-missing} are also
-distributed.
+the files @file{config.h.top} and @file{config.h.bot} are
+automatically distributed only if, e.g.,
+@samp{AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])} is used in @file{configure.ac}).
+@file{README-alpha} is another such file, with @file{README-alpha.md}
+distributed if that is what is available; @pxref{Strictness}, for its
+conditions for distribution.
+
+@end itemize
+
+@noindent
+These three lists of files are given in their entirety in the output
+from @code{automake --help}.
 
 @vindex EXTRA_DIST
-Still, sometimes there are files that must be distributed, but which
-are not covered in the automatic rules.  These files should be listed in
-the @code{EXTRA_DIST} variable.  You can mention files from
-subdirectories in @code{EXTRA_DIST}.
-
-You can also mention a directory in @code{EXTRA_DIST}; in this case the
-entire directory will be recursively copied into the distribution.
-Please note that this will also copy @emph{everything} in the directory,
-including, e.g., Subversion's @file{.svn} private directories or CVS/RCS
-version control files; thus we recommend against using this feature
+Despite all this automatic inclusion, it is still common to have files
+to be distributed which are not found by the automatic rules.  You
+should listed these files in the @code{EXTRA_DIST} variable.  You can
+mention files in subdirectories in @code{EXTRA_DIST}.
+
+You can also mention a directory in @code{EXTRA_DIST}; in this case
+the entire directory will be recursively copied into the distribution.
+To emphasize, this copies @emph{everything} in the directory,
+including temporary editor files, intermediate build files, version
+control files, etc.; thus we recommend against using this feature
 as-is.  However, you can use the @code{dist-hook} feature to
 ameliorate the problem; @pxref{The dist Hook}.
 
@@ -8623,20 +8654,20 @@ a directory in @code{EXTRA_DIST}:
 EXTRA_DIST = doc
 dist-hook:
         chmod -R u+w $(distdir)/doc
-        rm -rf `find $(distdir)/doc -type d -name .svn`
+        rm -rf `find $(distdir)/doc -type d -name RCS`
 @end example
 
 @c The caveats described here should be documented in 'disthook.sh'.
 @noindent
-Note that the @code{dist-hook} recipe shouldn't assume that the regular
-files in the distribution directory are writable; this might not be the
-case if one is packaging from a read-only source tree, or when a
-@code{make distcheck} is being done.  For similar reasons, the recipe
-shouldn't assume that the subdirectories put into the distribution
-directory as an effect of having them listed in @code{EXTRA_DIST} are
-writable.  So, if the @code{dist-hook} recipe wants to modify the
-content of an existing file (or @code{EXTRA_DIST} subdirectory) in the
-distribution directory, it should explicitly to make it writable first:
+The @code{dist-hook} recipe should not assume that the regular files
+in the distribution directory are writable; this might not be the case
+if one is packaging from a read-only source tree, or when a @code{make
+distcheck} is being done.  Similarly, the recipe should not assume
+that the subdirectories put into the distribution directory as a
+result of being listed in @code{EXTRA_DIST} are writable.  So, if the
+@code{dist-hook} recipe wants to modify the content of an existing
+file (or @code{EXTRA_DIST} subdirectory) in the distribution
+directory, it should explicitly to make it writable first:
 
 @example
 EXTRA_DIST = README doc
@@ -8656,16 +8687,17 @@ will copy files from the current directory before creating the
 tarball.  If you are at the top-level directory, then @samp{distdir =
 $(PACKAGE)-$(VERSION)}.  When used from subdirectory named
 @file{foo/}, then @samp{distdir = ../$(PACKAGE)-$(VERSION)/foo}.
-@samp{$(distdir)} can be a relative or absolute path, do not assume
-any form.
+@samp{$(distdir)} can be either a relative or absolute path; do not
+assume a particular form.
 
 @samp{$(top_distdir)} always points to the root directory of the
-distributed tree.  At the top-level it's equal to @samp{$(distdir)}.
-In the @file{foo/} subdirectory
-@samp{top_distdir = ../$(PACKAGE)-$(VERSION)}.
-@samp{$(top_distdir)} too can be a relative or absolute path.
+distributed tree.  At the top level it's equal to @samp{$(distdir)}.
+In the @file{foo/} subdirectory @samp{top_distdir =
+../$(PACKAGE)-$(VERSION)}.  @samp{$(top_distdir)} can also be either a
+relative or absolute path.
 
-Note that when packages are nested using @code{AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS}
+@acindex AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS
+When packages are nested using @code{AC_CONFIG_SUBDIRS}
 (@pxref{Subpackages}), then @samp{$(distdir)} and
 @samp{$(top_distdir)} are relative to the package where @samp{make
 dist} was run, not to any sub-packages involved.
@@ -8855,70 +8887,89 @@ distributions in various formats.  Their targets are:
 
 @table @asis
 @item @code{dist-gzip}
-Generate a @samp{gzip} tar archive of the distribution.  This is the
-only format enabled by default.
 @trindex dist-gzip
+@cmindex gzip
+@vindex GZIP_ENV
+Generate a @samp{gzip} tar archive of the distribution.  This is the
+only format enabled by default.  By default, this rule makes
+@command{gzip} use a compression option of @option{--best}.  To make
+it use a different one, set the @env{GZIP_ENV} environment variable.
+For example, @samp{make dist-gzip GZIP_ENV=-7}.
 
-@vindex BZIP2
 @item @code{dist-bzip2}
-Generate a @samp{bzip2} tar archive of the distribution.  bzip2 archives
-are frequently smaller than gzipped archives.
-By default, this rule makes @samp{bzip2} use a compression option of @option{-9}.
-To make it use a different one, set the @env{BZIP2} environment variable.
-For example, @samp{make dist-bzip2 BZIP2=-7}.
 @trindex dist-bzip2
+@cmindex bzip2
+@vindex BZIP2
+Generate a @samp{bzip2} tar archive of the distribution.  bzip2
+archives are usually smaller than gzipped archives.  By default, this
+rule makes @samp{bzip2} use a compression option of @option{-9}.  To
+make it use a different one, set the @env{BZIP2} environment variable.
 
 @item @code{dist-lzip}
-Generate an @samp{lzip} tar archive of the distribution.  @command{lzip}
-archives are frequently smaller than @command{bzip2}-compressed archives.
 @trindex dist-lzip
+@cmindex lzip
+@vindex LZIP_OPT
+Generate an @samp{lzip} tar archive of the distribution.
+@command{lzip} archives are usually smaller than
+@command{bzip2}-compressed archives.  By default, this rule makes
+@samp{lzip} use a compression option of @option{-9}.  To make it use a
+different one, set the @env{LZIP_OPT} environment variable.
 
-@vindex XZ_OPT
 @item @code{dist-xz}
+@trindex dist-xz
+@cmindex xz
+@vindex XZ_OPT
 Generate an @samp{xz} tar archive of the distribution.  @command{xz}
-archives are frequently smaller than @command{bzip2}-compressed archives.
+archives are usually smaller than @command{bzip2}-compressed archives.
 By default, this rule makes @samp{xz} use a compression option of
 @option{-e}.  To make it use a different one, set the @env{XZ_OPT}
 environment variable.  For example, run this command to use the
-default compression ratio, but with a progress indicator:
-@samp{make dist-xz XZ_OPT=-ve}.
-@trindex dist-xz
+default compression ratio, but with a progress indicator: @samp{make
+dist-xz XZ_OPT=-ve}.
 
+@trindex dist-zip
+@cmindex zip
 @item @code{dist-zip}
 Generate a @samp{zip} archive of the distribution.
-@trindex dist-zip
 
-@item @code{dist-tarZ}
-Generate a tar archive of the distribution, compressed with the
-historical (and obsolescent) program @command{compress}.  This
-option is deprecated, and it and the corresponding functionality
-will be removed altogether in Automake 2.0.
-@trindex dist-tarZ
+@item @code{dist-zstd}
+@trindex dist-zstd
+@cmindex zstd
+@vindex ZSTD_OPT
+@vindex ZSTD_CLEVEL
+Generate a @code{zstd} tar archive of the distribution.  By default,
+this rule makes @command{zstd} use a compression option of
+@option{-19}.  To use a different setting, set the @env{ZSTD_OPT}
+environment variable.  For example, run this command to use the
+default compression ratio, but with a progress indicator: @samp{make
+dist-zstd ZSTD_OPT=-19v}.  However, note that for compatibility with
+@command{zstd} itself, you may instead set the @env{ZSTD_CLEVEL}
+environment variable, in which case, any @env{ZSTD_OPT} setting is
+ignored.
 
 @item @code{dist-shar}
+@trindex dist-shar
+@cmindex shar
 Generate a @samp{shar} archive of the distribution.  This format
 archive is obsolescent, and use of this option is deprecated.
 It and the corresponding functionality will be removed altogether
 in Automake 2.0.
-@trindex dist-shar
 
-@vindex ZSTD_OPT
-@vindex ZSTD_CLEVEL
-@item @code{dist-zstd}
-Generate a @samp{zstd} tar archive of the distribution.  By default, this
-rule makes @samp{zstd} use a compression option of @option{-19}.  To
-make it use a different one, set the @env{ZSTD_OPT} environment variable.
-For example, run this command to use the default compression ratio,
-but with a progress indicator: @samp{make dist-zstd ZSTD_OPT=-19v}.
-However, note that for compatibility with zstd itself, you may instead set the @env{ZSTD_CLEVEL} environment variable, in which case, any @env{ZSTD_OPT} setting is ignored.
-@trindex dist-zstd
+@item @code{dist-tarZ}
+@trindex dist-tarZ
+@cmindex compress
+Generate a tar archive of the distribution, compressed with the
+historical (and obsolescent) program @command{compress}.  This
+option is deprecated, and it and the corresponding functionality
+will be removed altogether in Automake 2.0.
 
 @end table
 
+@trindex dist-all
 The rule @code{dist} (and its historical synonym @code{dist-all})
 will create archives in all the enabled formats (@pxref{List of
 Automake options} for how to change this list).  By default, only
-the @code{dist-gzip} target is hooked to @code{dist}.
+the @code{dist-gzip} target is enabled by @code{dist}.
 
 
 @node Tests
diff --git a/t/list-of-tests.mk b/t/list-of-tests.mk
index 51456ef51..934930b50 100644
--- a/t/list-of-tests.mk
+++ b/t/list-of-tests.mk
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 ## testsuite.  This fragment is meant to be included by the Makefile.am,
 ## but also to be executed directly by make when bootstrapping automake.
 
-## Copyright (C) 2011-2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+## Copyright (C) 2011-2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
 ##
 ## This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
 ## it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -848,6 +848,7 @@ t/test-trs-recover.sh \
 t/test-trs-recover2.sh \
 t/test-extensions.sh \
 t/test-extensions-cond.sh \
+t/toplevelmd.sh \
 t/parse.sh \
 t/percent.sh \
 t/percent2.sh \
diff --git a/t/toplevelmd.sh b/t/toplevelmd.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0634c7490
--- /dev/null
+++ b/t/toplevelmd.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+#! /bin/sh
+# Copyright (C) 2003-2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+#
+# This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+# any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+# Check that the top-level files (INSTALL, NEWS, README-alpha, etc.)
+# can be .md, or not. (Based on alpha2.sh.)
+
+. test-init.sh
+
+cat > configure.ac << 'END'
+AC_INIT([alpha], [1.0b])
+AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([readme-alpha])
+AC_CONFIG_FILES([Makefile sub/Makefile])
+AC_OUTPUT
+END
+
+cat > Makefile.am << 'END'
+SUBDIRS = sub
+check-local: distdir
+	for f in AUTHORS ChangeLog INSTALL NEWS README THANKS; do \
+	  test -f $(distdir)/$$f.md; done
+	test -f $(distdir)/COPYING
+	test -f $(distdir)/README-alpha.md
+	test ! -f $(distdir)/sub/README.md
+	test ! -f $(distdir)/sub/README-alpha.md # not distributed
+	: > works
+END
+
+mkdir sub
+: > sub/Makefile.am
+
+# do both md and non-md.
+: > README-alpha.md
+: > sub/README-alpha.md
+: > sub/README
+
+# top level
+: > AUTHORS.md
+: > ChangeLog.md
+: > INSTALL.md
+: > NEWS.md
+: > README.md
+: > THANKS.md
+
+# not md
+: > COPYING
+
+
+$ACLOCAL
+$AUTOCONF
+$AUTOMAKE
+./configure
+$MAKE check
+test -f works
+
+exit 33