make and make install question

"make" is a program to manage large groups of files, frequently the multiple source code files for an application. A file called the "makefile" tells what files need to be compiled, how, and their relationships. Only the files which need to be processed are processed. So if I edit only one of 50 source code files, only that one might be recompiled. Makefiles can also establish dependencies between files.

Frequently the makefile will have multiple uses, determined by the argument given tothe "make" command. The sequence "make install" would typically install a binary execultable file in the appropriate directory, and also move any necessary files (configurations files for example) to their appropriate locations. "make configure" might determine the architecture of the machine and actually adjust the makefile to sompile a suitable binary.

"make" is not limited to the compilatino and installation of programs but that is the usual context.

Harrington

This question was closed by the author