Why makefiles

parthi4u · 03-08-2003, 09:50 AM

Hi everybody,
can someone explain me why we need a makefile.When i create small c or c++ pgm am not worrying about this makefiles.What significance does it have ?

loke137 · 03-08-2003, 10:04 AM

Makefiles are made so you dont have to compile everyyything by hand. Compile gcc and see all the flags going by. Imagine doing that by hand? and adding the right objects and so on....Hours of pointless labor around the world. So a guy takes the job for himself and does a makefile and make your life easier!!!
Also, I didnt understand your post past the first word makefile. What did you want to know?

acid2000 · 03-08-2003, 10:33 AM

For a simple project there is no point, but when you start writing and distributing programs with a use then you need then.

nakkaya · 03-08-2003, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loke137
Makefiles are made so you dont have to compile everyyything by hand. Compile gcc and see all the flags going by. Imagine doing that by hand? and adding the right objects and so on....Hours of pointless labor around the world. So a guy takes the job for himself and does a makefile and make your life easier!!!
Also, I didnt understand your post past the first word makefile. What did you want to know?

thats right and also they check for avaible liblarys and their places on disk so you do not have to tell them

sienarot · 03-08-2003, 03:14 PM

Makefiles are nice to have because if you're writing long and complicated programs that require several different files/libraries to compile, you don't have to compile every updated file individually. Instead, the makefile can contain the command to do that with an individual file or a series of them and all you need to do is specify which command.