Should I name “makefile” or “Makefile”?

Question

Although both names will do the job, what is the correct name for makefiles?

GNU `make' homepage uses Makefile, and I guess it is the good way to name it. Any reasons for typing the front M in upper case ?

Answer 1

it is not only the reason that it appears prominently near the beginning of a directory listing, but also that it would cause a compile error when you using “makefile” to replace “Makefile”。 you could try to test in the helloworld case of Linux device driver..

Answer 2

I think that Makefile is displayed at the almost top of the list rather than makefile when typing ls command.

Answer 3

What Name to Give Your Makefile chapter of GNU Make manual clarifies it:

By default, when make looks for the makefile, it tries the following names, in order: GNUmakefile, makefile and Makefile. Normally you should call your makefile either makefile or Makefile. (We recommend Makefile because it appears prominently near the beginning of a directory listing, right near other important files such as README.) The first name checked, GNUmakefile, is not recommended for most makefiles. You should use this name if you have a makefile that is specific to GNU make, and will not be understood by other versions of make. Other make programs look for makefile and Makefile, but not GNUmakefile.