This document is a tutorial on makefiles that introduces their purpose for managing complex compilations across multiple source files. It covers topics such as targets, dependencies, macros, naming conventions, phony targets, automatic variables, and default compilation rules. An example makefile is provided to demonstrate these concepts.

1. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras
Making makefiles
Tutorial for CS-2810
Subhashini V
IIT Madras
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

2. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras
Outline
Introduction
Motivation
Compiling
Object file
Makefiles
Macros
Naming
Phony-Targets
Example
Extras
Default-rules
Remarks
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

3. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Motivation
The why, what and how of makefiles for you and me.
Figure: xkcd
(comic is for sudo, but who cares, it has ‘make’)
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

4. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Motivation
Why makefiles?
Lots of source files: foo1.h, foo2.h, foobar1.cpp, foobar2.cpp
How to manage them all?
Compiling is complicated!!!
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

5. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Motivation
Why makefiles?
Lots of source files: foo1.h, foo2.h, foobar1.cpp, foobar2.cpp
How to manage them all?
Compiling is complicated!!!
Solution: make
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

6. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Motivation
What are makefiles?
make - automagically build and manage your programs.
compile quickly with a single command
recompile is even quicker
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

7. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Motivation
How does it work?
Give targets (usually a file to be created)
Specify dependencies for each target.
Give command to create target from dependencies.
‘make’ recursively builds the targets from the set of
dependencies.
recompilation - time-stamp of modification
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

8. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Object file
.h and .cpp
.h files contain
declarations.
functions that the class promises.
.cpp files contain
definitions
implementations of the promised methods.
other functions that are not a part of any class.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

9. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Object file
BigInt assignment example
The BigInt data type in RSA
BigInt.h - with proposed methods : +, -, *, /, !
BigInt.cpp - with implementation of methods
rsa.cpp - ONLY needs #include “BigInt.h”.
Don’t need BigInt.cpp.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

10. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Object file
Creating Object file
object file or (.o file)
For creating rsa.o, no need to include BigInt.cpp!
Eventually need BigInt.cpp for running.
Link later.
You also don’t need main()
Command:
g++ -Wall -c rsa.cpp
* -Wall : all warnings turned on
* -c : Compiles but doesn’t link
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

11. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Macros Naming Phony-Targets
Makefiles!
A makefile describes the dependencies between files.
Figure: Content of a Makefile
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

12. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Macros Naming Phony-Targets
Targets, Dependencies, Commands
Target is usually a file. Remember “:”
Dependencies : .cpp, corresponding .h and other .h files
Determining dependencies.
the all important [tab]
Commands : can be multiple
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

13. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Macros Naming Phony-Targets
Use macros!
Like #define
OBJS = rsa.o main.o
CPP = g++
DEBUG = -g
CPPFLAGS = -Wall -c $(DEBUG)
LDFLAGS = -lm
Usage: $(variable)
rsa : $(OBJS)
$(CPP) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) -o rsa
Automatic variables : $@ , $<, $^ ...
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

14. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Macros Naming Phony-Targets
Naming the file
Naming and running the make file.
makefile - run with make
Makefile - run with make
give any filename - run as make -f < filename >
make picks the first target in the file and executes the commands
if the dependencies are more recent than the target.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

15. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Macros Naming Phony-Targets
Phony targets
Dummy targets to run commands. They don’t actually create files.
make all
make clean
make tar
Use .PHONY or directly the name.
.PHONY: clean
Or clean:
clean:
rm -f *.o *~ rsa
rm -f *.o *~ rsa
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

16. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras
Makefile
OBJS = rsa.o main.o BigInt.o
CPP = g++
DEBUG = -g
CPPFLAGS = -Wall -c $(DEBUG)
LDFLAGS = -lm
rsa : $(OBJS)
$(CPP) $(LDFLAGS) $(OBJS) -o rsa
main.o : main.cpp BigInt.h rsa.h
$(CPP) $(CPPFLAGS) main.cpp -o $@
rsa.o : rsa.cpp rsa.h BigInt.h
$(CPP) $(CPPFLAGS) rsa.cpp -o $@
BigInt.o : BigInt.cpp BigInt.h
$(CPP) $(CPPFLAGS) BigInt.cpp -o $@
clean :
rm -f *.o *~ rsa
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

17. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Default-rules Remarks
Automatic Variables
$@ , $<, $^
$@ : used for the target variable.
$< : the 1st prerequisite.
$^ : is like “all the above” - all the prerequisites.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

18. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Default-rules Remarks
Default automatic rules to compile
Example-1
prog: foo.o foobar.o ...
<TAB> (nothing)
$(CPP) $(LDFLAGS) $^ -o $@
(if prog.o (or prog.c) is one of the prerequisites.)
Example-2
prog: prog.c prog.h
<TAB> (nothing)
$(CPP) $(CPPFLAGS) -c $< -o $@
Check these.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

19. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Default-rules Remarks
‘make’ from within the editor
Some editors like Vim allow you to call ‘make’ while still editing
the makefile :)
:make - to run the Makefile.
To navigate through the errors and fix compilation issues fast, try
:copen - Opens the quickfix window, to show the results of
the compilation.
:cnext or :cn - jump to the next error in source code.
:cprev or :cp - jump to the previous error in source code.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

20. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Default-rules Remarks
Remarks
Don’t forget to put the TAB before entering the command.
Look at examples of Makefiles.
Lots of tutorials and resources available online.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make

21. Introduction Compiling Makefiles Example Extras Default-rules Remarks
Questions?
Just make it.
Subhashini V Tutorial on make