Force Makefile to execute script before building targets

Question

I am using Makefiles.

However, there is a command (zsh script) I want executed before any targets is executed. How do I do this?

Thanks!

Answer 1

There is a solution without modifying your existing Makefile (main difference with the accepted answer). Just create a makefile containing:

.PHONY: all

all:
    pre-script
    @$(MAKE) -f Makefile --no-print-directory $(MAKECMDGOALS) MAKE='$(MAKE) -f Makefile'
    post-script

$(MAKECMDGOALS): all ;

The only drawback is that the pre- and post- scripts will always be run, even if there is nothing else to do. But they will not be run if you invoke make with one of the --dry-run options (other difference with the accepted answer).