Version 2.53.
diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index f2980ae..9017377 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 2002-03-08  Akim Demaille  <akim@epita.fr>
 
+	Version 2.53.
+
+2002-03-08  Akim Demaille  <akim@epita.fr>
+
 	* doc/autoconf.texi (Subdirectories): Clarify that the
 	subdirectory should exist.
 
diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index a5ca8ae..7343808 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -126,8 +126,7 @@
 	install-exec-recursive installdirs-recursive install-recursive \
 	uninstall-recursive check-recursive installcheck-recursive
 DIST_COMMON = README AUTHORS COPYING ChangeLog INSTALL Makefile.am \
-	Makefile.in NEWS README-alpha THANKS TODO aclocal.m4 configure \
-	configure.ac
+	Makefile.in NEWS THANKS TODO aclocal.m4 configure configure.ac
 DIST_SUBDIRS = $(SUBDIRS)
 all: all-recursive
 
diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 671da3c..e27f1be 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-* Major changes in Autoconf 2.52i                       -*- outline -*-
+* Major changes in Autoconf 2.53                       -*- outline -*-
 
 ** Requirements
 
diff --git a/aclocal.m4 b/aclocal.m4
index 4e735ed..a1d651c 100644
--- a/aclocal.m4
+++ b/aclocal.m4
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# aclocal.m4t generated automatically by aclocal 1.6a -*- Autoconf -*-
+# aclocal.m4 generated automatically by aclocal 1.6a -*- Autoconf -*-
 
 # Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
 # Free Software Foundation, Inc.
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 070abd1..d05362b 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #! /bin/sh
 # Guess values for system-dependent variables and create Makefiles.
-# Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.52i for GNU Autoconf 2.52j.
+# Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.53 for GNU Autoconf 2.53.
 #
 # Report bugs to <bug-autoconf@gnu.org>.
 #
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@
 # Identity of this package.
 PACKAGE_NAME='GNU Autoconf'
 PACKAGE_TARNAME='autoconf'
-PACKAGE_VERSION='2.52j'
-PACKAGE_STRING='GNU Autoconf 2.52j'
+PACKAGE_VERSION='2.53'
+PACKAGE_STRING='GNU Autoconf 2.53'
 PACKAGE_BUGREPORT='bug-autoconf@gnu.org'
 
 ac_unique_file="ChangeLog"
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@
   eval ac_val=$`echo $ac_var`
   case $ac_val in
     [\\/$]* | ?:[\\/]* | NONE | '' ) ;;
-    *)  { echo "$as_me: error: expected an absolute path for --$ac_var: $ac_val" >&2
+    *)  { echo "$as_me: error: expected an absolute directory name for --$ac_var: $ac_val" >&2
    { (exit 1); exit 1; }; };;
   esac
 done
@@ -623,18 +623,19 @@
   eval ac_val=$`echo $ac_var`
   case $ac_val in
     [\\/$]* | ?:[\\/]* ) ;;
-    *)  { echo "$as_me: error: expected an absolute path for --$ac_var: $ac_val" >&2
+    *)  { echo "$as_me: error: expected an absolute directory name for --$ac_var: $ac_val" >&2
    { (exit 1); exit 1; }; };;
   esac
 done
 
 # There might be people who depend on the old broken behavior: `$host'
 # used to hold the argument of --host etc.
+# FIXME: To remove some day.
 build=$build_alias
 host=$host_alias
 target=$target_alias
 
-# FIXME: should be removed in autoconf 3.0.
+# FIXME: To remove some day.
 if test "x$host_alias" != x; then
   if test "x$build_alias" = x; then
     cross_compiling=maybe
@@ -704,7 +705,7 @@
   # Omit some internal or obsolete options to make the list less imposing.
   # This message is too long to be a string in the A/UX 3.1 sh.
   cat <<_ACEOF
-\`configure' configures GNU Autoconf 2.52j to adapt to many kinds of systems.
+\`configure' configures GNU Autoconf 2.53 to adapt to many kinds of systems.
 
 Usage: $0 [OPTION]... [VAR=VALUE]...
 
@@ -766,7 +767,7 @@
 
 if test -n "$ac_init_help"; then
   case $ac_init_help in
-     short | recursive ) echo "Configuration of GNU Autoconf 2.52j:";;
+     short | recursive ) echo "Configuration of GNU Autoconf 2.53:";;
    esac
   cat <<\_ACEOF
 
@@ -838,8 +839,8 @@
 test -n "$ac_init_help" && exit 0
 if $ac_init_version; then
   cat <<\_ACEOF
-GNU Autoconf configure 2.52j
-generated by GNU Autoconf 2.52i
+GNU Autoconf configure 2.53
+generated by GNU Autoconf 2.53
 
 Copyright 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@@ -853,8 +854,8 @@
 This file contains any messages produced by compilers while
 running configure, to aid debugging if configure makes a mistake.
 
-It was created by GNU Autoconf $as_me 2.52j, which was
-generated by GNU Autoconf 2.52i.  Invocation command line was
+It was created by GNU Autoconf $as_me 2.53, which was
+generated by GNU Autoconf 2.53.  Invocation command line was
 
   $ $0 $@
 
@@ -1174,8 +1175,8 @@
 # AFS /usr/afsws/bin/install, which mishandles nonexistent args
 # SVR4 /usr/ucb/install, which tries to use the nonexistent group "staff"
 # ./install, which can be erroneously created by make from ./install.sh.
-echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for a BSD compatible install" >&5
-echo $ECHO_N "checking for a BSD compatible install... $ECHO_C" >&6
+echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for a BSD-compatible install" >&5
+echo $ECHO_N "checking for a BSD-compatible install... $ECHO_C" >&6
 if test -z "$INSTALL"; then
 if test "${ac_cv_path_install+set}" = set; then
   echo $ECHO_N "(cached) $ECHO_C" >&6
@@ -1390,7 +1391,7 @@
 
 # Define the identity of the package.
  PACKAGE=autoconf
- VERSION=2.52j
+ VERSION=2.53
 
 
 cat >>confdefs.h <<_ACEOF
@@ -1646,9 +1647,6 @@
 echo "$as_me: error: GNU M4 1.4 is required" >&2;}
    { (exit 1); exit 1; }; }
 fi
-# This is needed because Automake does not seem to realize there is
-# a AC-SUBST inside AC-PROG-GNU-M4.  Grmph!
-
 
 # Man pages.
 ac_config_files="$ac_config_files man/Makefile"
@@ -1805,12 +1803,6 @@
 
 
 
-# Automake can't see inner AC_SUBSTS (`aclocal' is bypassed), so we tag the
-# AC_SUBSTS here too.
-
-
-
-
 ac_config_files="$ac_config_files Makefile doc/Makefile lib/Makefile lib/Autom4te/Makefile lib/autoscan/Makefile lib/m4sugar/Makefile lib/autoconf/Makefile lib/autotest/Makefile bin/Makefile"
 
 
@@ -2170,8 +2162,8 @@
 } >&5
 cat >&5 <<_CSEOF
 
-This file was extended by GNU Autoconf $as_me 2.52j, which was
-generated by GNU Autoconf 2.52i.  Invocation command line was
+This file was extended by GNU Autoconf $as_me 2.53, which was
+generated by GNU Autoconf 2.53.  Invocation command line was
 
   CONFIG_FILES    = $CONFIG_FILES
   CONFIG_HEADERS  = $CONFIG_HEADERS
@@ -2227,8 +2219,8 @@
 
 cat >>$CONFIG_STATUS <<_ACEOF
 ac_cs_version="\\
-GNU Autoconf config.status 2.52j
-configured by $0, generated by GNU Autoconf 2.52i,
+GNU Autoconf config.status 2.53
+configured by $0, generated by GNU Autoconf 2.53,
   with options \\"`echo "$ac_configure_args" | sed 's/[\\""\`\$]/\\\\&/g'`\\"
 
 Copyright 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
@@ -2757,14 +2749,4 @@
 fi
 
 # Report the state of this version of Autoconf if this is a beta.
-    cat <<EOF
-
-You are about to use an experimental version of Autoconf.  Be sure to
-read the relevant mailing lists, most importantly <autoconf@gnu.org>.
-
-Below you will find information on the status of this version of Autoconf.
-
-
-EOF
-    sed -n '/^\* Status/,$p' $srcdir/BUGS
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 1b93207..14ce30e 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -20,19 +20,20 @@
 # 02111-1307, USA.
 
 # We need AC_CONFIG_TESTDIR.
-AC_PREREQ(2.52g)
+AC_PREREQ([2.53])
 
-AC_INIT(GNU Autoconf, 2.52j, bug-autoconf@gnu.org)
-AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR(ChangeLog)
+AC_INIT([GNU Autoconf], [2.53], [bug-autoconf@gnu.org])
+AC_SUBST([PACKAGE_NAME])dnl
+AC_CONFIG_SRCDIR([ChangeLog])
 
-AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR(config)
-AC_CONFIG_FILES(config/Makefile)
+AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([config])
+AC_CONFIG_FILES([config/Makefile])
 
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE
 
 # Initialize the test suite and build position independent wrappers.
-AC_CONFIG_TESTDIR(tests)
-AC_CONFIG_FILES(tests/Makefile tests/atlocal)
+AC_CONFIG_TESTDIR([tests])
+AC_CONFIG_FILES([tests/Makefile tests/atlocal])
 AC_CONFIG_FILES([tests/autoconf:tests/wrapsh.in],
                 [chmod +x tests/autoconf])
 AC_CONFIG_FILES([tests/autoheader:tests/wrappl.in],
@@ -58,17 +59,14 @@
 if test x"$ac_cv_prog_gnu_m4" != xyes; then
   AC_MSG_ERROR([GNU M4 1.4 is required])
 fi
-# This is needed because Automake does not seem to realize there is
-# a AC-SUBST inside AC-PROG-GNU-M4.  Grmph!
-AC_SUBST(M4)
 
 # Man pages.
 AC_CONFIG_FILES(man/Makefile)
 AM_MISSING_PROG(HELP2MAN, help2man)
 
 # We use a path for perl so the #! line in autoscan will work.
-AC_PATH_PROG(PERL, perl, no)
-AC_SUBST(PERL)dnl
+AC_PATH_PROG([PERL], perl, no)
+AC_SUBST([PERL])dnl
 if test "$PERL" = no; then
   AC_MSG_ERROR([perl is not found])
 fi
@@ -77,20 +75,14 @@
 }
 
 # Emacs modes.
-AC_CONFIG_FILES(lib/emacs/Makefile)
+AC_CONFIG_FILES([lib/emacs/Makefile])
 AM_PATH_LISPDIR
 
-# Automake can't see inner AC_SUBSTS (`aclocal' is bypassed), so we tag the
-# AC_SUBSTS here too.
-AC_SUBST(PACKAGE_NAME)
-AC_SUBST(PACKAGE)
-AC_SUBST(VERSION)
-
-AC_CONFIG_FILES(Makefile doc/Makefile
-                lib/Makefile lib/Autom4te/Makefile lib/autoscan/Makefile
-                lib/m4sugar/Makefile
-                lib/autoconf/Makefile lib/autotest/Makefile
-                bin/Makefile)
+AC_CONFIG_FILES([Makefile doc/Makefile
+                 lib/Makefile lib/Autom4te/Makefile lib/autoscan/Makefile
+                 lib/m4sugar/Makefile
+                 lib/autoconf/Makefile lib/autotest/Makefile
+                 bin/Makefile])
 
 AC_OUTPUT
 # Report the state of this version of Autoconf if this is a beta.
diff --git a/man/autoconf.1 b/man/autoconf.1
index c0808c0..3e9bfb1 100644
--- a/man/autoconf.1
+++ b/man/autoconf.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man 1.25.
-.TH AUTOCONF "1" "March 2002" "autoconf 2.52j" "User Commands"
+.TH AUTOCONF "1" "March 2002" "autoconf 2.53" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 autoconf \- Generate configuration scripts
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/man/autoheader.1 b/man/autoheader.1
index 2ab77ae..afa0089 100644
--- a/man/autoheader.1
+++ b/man/autoheader.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man 1.25.
-.TH AUTOHEADER "1" "March 2002" "autoheader 2.52j" "User Commands"
+.TH AUTOHEADER "1" "March 2002" "autoheader 2.53" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 autoheader \- Create a template header for configure
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/man/autom4te.1 b/man/autom4te.1
index 4ec8fad..11f6243 100644
--- a/man/autom4te.1
+++ b/man/autom4te.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man 1.25.
-.TH AUTOM4TE "1" "March 2002" "autom4te 2.52j" "User Commands"
+.TH AUTOM4TE "1" "March 2002" "autom4te 2.53" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 autom4te \- Generate files and scripts thanks to M4
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/man/autoreconf.1 b/man/autoreconf.1
index 28fc4b4..83cabc9 100644
--- a/man/autoreconf.1
+++ b/man/autoreconf.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man 1.25.
-.TH AUTORECONF "1" "March 2002" "autoreconf 2.52j" "User Commands"
+.TH AUTORECONF "1" "March 2002" "autoreconf 2.53" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 autoreconf \- Update generated configuration files
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/man/autoscan.1 b/man/autoscan.1
index 9b757ed..ef249a2 100644
--- a/man/autoscan.1
+++ b/man/autoscan.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man 1.25.
-.TH AUTOSCAN "1" "March 2002" "autoscan 2.52j" "User Commands"
+.TH AUTOSCAN "1" "March 2002" "autoscan 2.53" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 autoscan \- Generate a preliminary configure.in
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/man/autoupdate.1 b/man/autoupdate.1
index 76dbe4b..d7e72ef 100644
--- a/man/autoupdate.1
+++ b/man/autoupdate.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man 1.25.
-.TH AUTOUPDATE "1" "March 2002" "autoupdate 2.52j" "User Commands"
+.TH AUTOUPDATE "1" "March 2002" "autoupdate 2.53" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 autoupdate \- Update a configure.in to a newer Autoconf
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/man/ifnames.1 b/man/ifnames.1
index 3e2e1e5..1dbdded 100644
--- a/man/ifnames.1
+++ b/man/ifnames.1
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 .SH "REPORTING BUGS"
 Report bugs to <bug-autoconf@gnu.org>.
 .PP
-ifnames (GNU Autoconf) 2.52j
+ifnames (GNU Autoconf) 2.53
 .SH "SEE ALSO"
 .BR autoconf (1),
 .BR automake (1),
diff --git a/tests/suite.at b/tests/suite.at
index d23eb6d..4a60201 100644
--- a/tests/suite.at
+++ b/tests/suite.at
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 # 02111-1307, USA.
 
 # We need a very up to date version of Autotest.
-m4_version_prereq([2.52g])
+m4_version_prereq([2.53])
 
 # Macros specialized for Autoconf testing.
 m4_include([atspecific.m4])