On: Build System Rules and Algorithms (2009) [pdf]

[fizixer]

Well, the way I see it, there are only 3 games in town: JSON-style variants (including YAML, arguably), XML, and S-expression variants.

XML is definitely not better than JSON IMO. Are you hinting at either S-expression, or something like YAML?

(For any other "custom syntax" we're better off sticking to make syntax itself)

[wtetzner → fizixer]

Well, your 3 games in town are serialization formats. They're great choices if you want tools to manipulate the build scripts.

However, in my opinion, from your list only s-expressions make a reasonable syntax that a human would write an maintain.

And, if you want that, well :) https://www.gnu.org/software/make/manual/html_node/Guile-Int...