Re: Make: Using directories as dependencies???

[Paul D. Smith]

%% Ken Glasson <address@hidden> (by way of Ken Glasson
%% <address@hidden>) writes:

  kg> I want the directory to be created if it doesn't exist - so have set it
  kg> as a dependency for the target objects:

No.  Very bad idea.

Look in the GNU make manual section "Phony Targets" for an example of
how to do this the Right Way.

  kg> When used this way and make is run repeatedly I get objects (and
  kg> binaries - not shown) being rebuilt unnecessarily due to what appears to
  kg> be the fact the the timestamp of the $(OBJLOC) directory is being
  kg> updated every time a new object is placed into it....

Yes, of course.  To make a target is a target is a target, and in UNIX
the modification time of a directory changes every time a file is added,
removed, or renamed in the directory.

-- 
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 Paul D. Smith <address@hidden>          Find some GNU make tips at:
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