[Tex/LaTex] LaTeX/TeX preprocessor/inliner that replaces only selected macros with their definitions

Question

I have the following situation:

Like most LaTeX users that write much, I have my own header files where the packages I use normally are required and the macros I use often are defined.

So if I write some article, I will normally use my own macros and save a lot of time and redundancies.

Now I send in my article to some journal and they want to publish it! Of course they want me to send in my source code.

Naturally, the following problem arises: The publishers won't want to include my own headers. They want code that compiles on every regular TeX-distribution. How can I convert my source into a file that doesn't contain my own macros anymore?

I need something like a preprocessor, that "inlines"/expands all macros and definitions found in the headers I explicitly specify (my headers), but not those in the other, unmentioned packages (regular headers).

Does anything like this exist? Could it be implemented using TeX/LaTeX or would one have to reimplement the macro expansion mechanism?

Answer 1

Take a look at arlatex or bundledoc. They are both scripts that are contained in the TeXLive distribution. They could do the job you need.