(make.info.gz) Rule Introduction

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 2.1 What a Rule Looks Like
 ==========================
 
 A simple makefile consists of "rules" with the following shape:
 
      TARGET ... : PREREQUISITES ...
              RECIPE
              ...
              ...
 
    A "target" is usually the name of a file that is generated by a
 program; examples of targets are executable or object files.  A target
 can also be the name of an action to carry out, such as `clean' (
 Phony Targets).
 
    A "prerequisite" is a file that is used as input to create the
 target.  A target often depends on several files.
 
    A "recipe" is an action that `make' carries out.  A recipe may have
 more than one command, either on the same line or each on its own line.
 *Please note:* you need to put a tab character at the beginning of
 every recipe line!  This is an obscurity that catches the unwary.  If
 you prefer to prefix your recipes with a character other than tab, you
 can set the `.RECIPEPREFIX' variable to an alternate character (
 Special Variables).
 
    Usually a recipe is in a rule with prerequisites and serves to
 create a target file if any of the prerequisites change.  However, the
 rule that specifies a recipe for the target need not have
 prerequisites.  For example, the rule containing the delete command
 associated with the target `clean' does not have prerequisites.
 
    A "rule", then, explains how and when to remake certain files which
 are the targets of the particular rule.  `make' carries out the recipe
 on the prerequisites to create or update the target.  A rule can also
 explain how and when to carry out an action.   Writing Rules
 Rules.
 
    A makefile may contain other text besides rules, but a simple
 makefile need only contain rules.  Rules may look somewhat more
 complicated than shown in this template, but all fit the pattern more
 or less.
 
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