Autotools is a suite of programming tools designed to help developers create portable software packages. It simplifies the process of configuring and building software across different operating systems by generating the necessary scripts and makefiles. This ensures that the software can be compiled and installed easily on various platforms. The main components of Autotools include Autoconf, Automake, and Libtool. Autoconf generates configuration scripts that check for system features, while Automake helps create Makefile templates. Libtool assists in managing shared libraries, making it easier to compile and link code. Together, these tools streamline the software development process.