Makefile
A Makefile is a file defining targets, dependencies, and command recipes for automating software builds and other tasks with Make.
Terraform in Depth: Infrastructure as Code with Terraform and OpenTofu
A makefile is a configuration file that defines targets and the commands used to build, test, or automate tasks in a software project.
- How it is used
- Collects formatting, documentation, installation, and validation commands into repeatable project tasks.
- How deep it goes
- Works through targets, dependencies, phony declarations, variables, and file-backed initialization; leaves advanced Make features aside.
- Examples
- Uses a combined chores target, backend-disabled validation, package installation targets, and a Terraform–OpenTofu engine switch.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch to give developers consistent commands for common project chores and checks.
Read how Terraform in Depth: Infrastructure as Code with Terraform and OpenTofu explains Makefile →
Shipping Go: Develop, deliver, discuss, design, and go again
A Makefile is a configuration file that defines inputs, targets, and command recipes for the Make build automation tool.
- How it is used
- Standardizes recurring setup and build commands for developers and continuous integration.
- How deep it goes
- Demonstrates small setup and build targets, while deferring more complex build configurations and broader platform support.
- Examples
- Uses Go setup targets, `sudo make setup`, `sudo make install-go`, and `make build` as concrete workflows.
- What you can do after
- Operate/configure repeatable setup and build workflows locally and from a continuous integration pipeline.
Read how Shipping Go: Develop, deliver, discuss, design, and go again explains Makefile →
Related concepts
- makeused by · Make is a build automation tool that executes dependency-driven rules and commands defined in a makefile to create or update targets.
- Dockerfileused by · A Dockerfile is a text file containing declarative instructions for building a container image and specifying its contents and runtime metadata.
- package manageruses · A package manager is software that retrieves, installs, updates, removes, and manages software packages and their dependencies.
- deployment pipelineimplements · A deployment pipeline is a sequence of stages for building, validating, packaging, and delivering software or related changes toward deployment.
- make targethas part · A Make target is a named build-automation goal associated with prerequisites and commands, often represented by a file or directory.
- standardused by · A standard is an established rule, specification, or convention that defines a consistent reference for practice, representation, behavior, or evaluation.
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