# Writing Makefiles

A makefile is the set of instructions that you use to tell makepp how to build your program. Makepp can accept most makefiles written for the standard unix make, but if you're starting from scratch, it is often much simpler to use some of makepp's advanced features. This is an introduction for writing makefiles that are specific to makepp.

If you already know a lot about writing makefiles, you might want to at least peruse the examples because they show the preferred way to do things with makepp, which is often different from the traditional way to do it with make.

- What goes into a makefile. The very basics on the kinds of problems makepp can solve for you.
- A simple makefile.
- Using variables to avoid duplicating information and to make changes easier.
- Pattern rules to apply similar commands to many files.
- "Phony" targets like `all` and `install`
- Working with several directories
- Using wildcards in makefiles
- Functions and more advanced use of variables
- Separating source and objects, and building with different options
- Debugging makefiles
- Using libraries [unfinished]
- Some examples [unfinished]
  - Using Qt's moc preprocessor

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Last modified: Sat Oct 14 22:02:18 PDT 2000