Re:Why Use Make
by acdha on Sunday February 24, 2013 @07:12PM
(#5276592)
Such a broad statement needs support and you offer only vague assertions. I would be the first to suggest alternatives for make on a large, complex project but for a simple project make is quite useful, particularly since it's so broadly available.
I have a few websites with very short makefiles to package static files. That's 5 simple lines of mostly patterns, very easy to understand and there's no tooling related overhead on any system we use. I wouldn't say that make is better than all of the alternatives but you're in serious diminishing returns territory trying to make further improvements.
The real advice I would offer is the bottom line observation that your build system is supposed to save you time. Don't start looking for a cool-kid approved new one until you're spending time on the tool rather than the complexity specific to your project.
I have a few websites with very short makefiles to package static files. That's 5 simple lines of mostly patterns, very easy to understand and there's no tooling related overhead on any system we use. I wouldn't say that make is better than all of the alternatives but you're in serious diminishing returns territory trying to make further improvements.
The real advice I would offer is the bottom line observation that your build system is supposed to save you time. Don't start looking for a cool-kid approved new one until you're spending time on the tool rather than the complexity specific to your project.