How to use makefiles in Visual Studio?

Question

I heard a lot about makefiles and how they simplify the compilation process. I'm using VS2008. Can somebody please suggest some online references or books where I can find out more about how to deal with them?

Answer 1

A UNIX guy probably told you that. :)

You can use makefiles in VS, but when you do it bypasses all the built-in functionality in MSVC's IDE. Makefiles are basically the reinterpret_cast of the builder. IMO the simplest thing is just to use Solutions.

Answer 2

The VS equivalent of a makefile is a "Solution" (over-simplified, I know).

Answer 3

I actually use a makefile to build any dependencies needed before invoking devenv to build a particular project as in the following:

debug: coratools_debug
    devenv coralib.vcproj /build debug

coratools_debug: nothing
    cd ../coratools
    nmake debug
    cd $(MAKEDIR)

You can also use the msbuild tool to do the same thing:

debug: coratools_debug
    msbuild coralib.vcxproj /p:Configuration=debug

coratools_debug: nothing
    cd ../coratools
    nmake debug
    cd $(MAKEDIR)

In my opinion, this is much easier than trying to figure out the overly complicated visual studio project management scheme.

Answer 4

The Microsoft Program Maintenance Utility (NMAKE.EXE) is a tool that builds projects based on commands contained in a description file.

NMAKE Reference

Answer 5

To answer the specific questions...

I'm using VS2008. Can somebody please suggest some online references or books where I can find out more about how to deal with them?

This link will give you a good introduction into Makefiles by mapping it with Visual Studio.

Introduction to Makefiles for Visual Studio developers

I heard a lot about makefiles and how they simplify the compilation process.

Makefiles are powerful and flexible but may not be the best solution to simplify the process. Consider CMake which abstracts the build process well which is explained in this link.

CMake for Visual Studio Developers

Answer 6

Makefiles and build files are about automating your build. If you use a script like MSBuild or NAnt, you can build your project or solution directly from command line. This in turn makes it possible to automate the build, have it run by a build server.

Besides building your solution it is typical that a build script includes task to run unit tests, report code coverage and complexity and more.