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GNU make is the most widely used build automation tool, but it can be challenging to master and its terse language can be tough to parse for even experienced programmers. Those who run into difficulties face a long, involved struggle, often leaving unsolved problems behind and GNU make's vast potential untapped. The GNU Make Book demystifies GNU make and shows you how to use its best features. You'll find a fast, thorough rundown of the basics of variables, rules, targets, and makefiles. Learn how to fix wastefully long build times and other common problems, and gain insight into more advanced capabilities, such as complex pattern rules. With this utterly pragmatic manual and cookbook, you'll make rapid progress toward becoming a more effective user. You'll also learn how to: Master user-defined functions, variables, and path handling Weigh the pitfalls and advantages of GNU make parallelization Handle automatic dependency generation, rebuilding, and non-recursive make Modify the
About the author
John Graham-Cumming is a wandering programmer who's lived in the UK, California, New York and France. Along the way he's worked for a succession of technology start-ups, written the award-winning open source POPFile email program and churned out articles for publications such as The Guardian newspaper, Dr Dobbs, and Linux Magazine. His first effort writing a book was the obscure and self-published computer manual GNU Make Unleashed which saturated its target market of 100 readers. Because he has a doctorate in computer security he's deeply suspicious of people who insist on being called Dr., but doesn't mind if you refer to him as a geek. He is the proud owner of a three-letter domain name where he hosts his web site: http://www.jgc.org.
Summary
GNU make is the most widely used build automation tool, but it can be intimidating for new users and its terse language can be tough to parse for even experienced programmers. Those who run into difficulties face a long, involved struggle, often leaving unsolved problems behind and GNU make's vast potential untapped.
The GNU Make Book demystifies GNU make and shows you how to use its best features. You'll find a fast, thorough rundown of the basics of variables, rules, targets, and makefiles. Learn how to fix wastefully long build times and other common problems, and gain insight into more advanced capabilities, such as complex pattern rules. With this utterly pragmatic manual and cookbook, you'll make rapid progress toward becoming a more effective user.
You'll also learn how to:
- Master user-defined functions, variables, and path handling
- Weigh the pitfalls and advantages of GNU make parallelization
- Handle automatic dependency generation, rebuilding, and non-recursive make
- Modify the GNU make source and take advantage of the GNU Make Standard Library
- Create makefile assertions and debug makefiles
GNU make is known for being tricky to use, but it doesn't have to be. Seasoned users and newbies alike will find The GNU Make Book to be an indispensable guide to this indispensable tool.
