File: make.info,  Node: Overview,  Next: Introduction,  Prev: Top.php">Top,  Up: Top.php">Top

1 Overview of 'make'
********************

The 'make' utility automatically determines which pieces of a large
program need to be recompiled, and issues commands to recompile them.
This manual describes GNU 'make', which was implemented by Richard
Stallman and Roland McGrath.  Development since Version 3.76 has been
handled by Paul D. Smith.

   GNU 'make' conforms to section 6.2 of 'IEEE Standard 1003.2-1992'
(POSIX.2).

   Our examples show C programs, since they are most common, but you can
use 'make' with any programming language whose compiler can be run with
a shell command.  Indeed, 'make' is not limited to programs.  You can
use it to describe any task where some files must be updated
automatically from others whenever the others change.

* Menu:

* Preparing::                   Preparing and running 'make'.
* Reading::                     On reading this text.
* Bugs::                        Problems and bugs.