What is makefile and how do i use it

[amazon10x]

ok, if you head over to http://www0.us.ioccc.org/years.html then go down to 2001 then anonymous. how do i compile those files with VC++ 6.0. I don't get how to use the makefile and such.

 

[XWRed1]

You can't use makefiles with VC++, you have to use 3rd party programs like nmake.

 

[amazon10x]

I think that nmake is only for *nix. Could you reccomend a Windows 2k app?

 

[XWRed1]

No, on *nix you just use bsd make or gnu make. I'm pretty sure nmake is a make that is available for Windows.

You could always install Cygwin and use the make from that.

 

[mccoyn]

nmake is part of Visual studio. Do a search for it. I found mine in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET\Vc7\bin. I think there is a way convert it to a project as well.

 

[mccoyn]

A make file is a script to tell the compilier and linker what to do when you make (build) the project. Its common for all the *nix compiliers. It is similiar in its use to the .dsp or .vcproj files from Visual Studio, but I believe it functions in a different way.

 

[amazon10x]

Can i compile the stuff at the link in my first post without using the mkae file?

 

[mccoyn]

It looks like those programs are just one file. So, try downloading the .c file, add it to a new project and build it. To use those make files in nmake, I believe you will have to edit them so the reference the VC++ compilier instead of cc and gcc.