makefile and its uses

Question

What is a makefile and how do I use it?

Answer 1

A make file describes the compilation process. It describes which flags, compiler tools, linkers, etc. to use with which source code files and objects

More info http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~mbsclass/tutorial/advanced/makefile/

Answer 2

The main purpose of a Makefile is to store every you need to build your project in one place. It contains the instructions for compiling your code, linking your compiled code, packaging the executables, extracting third party tools, and many other useful things. Pretty much any command you entire at the command line can be used in a makefile.

The advantage to using a makefile, when done correctly at least, is that anyone can easily build your entire project. It's as easy as typing make

An example of a Makefile for a windows project http://www.opussoftware.com/tutorial/TutMakefile.htm