Changing Directories in Make Files Not Supported by NMK.COM

ID Number: Q64028

1.11

MS-DOS

buglist1.11

Summary:

Using a command to change directories in a make file will cause

unexpected results with NMK.COM version 1.11. This is a side effect of

a problem with NMAKE.EXE where directory changes within make files are

executed while processing the make file, and the current directory is

not reset upon exit.

More Information:

NMK spawns NMAKE to do its processing. While NMAKE is processing, if

it sees a change drive/directory command, it must make the change to

finish processing the make file. The problem is that it doesn't reset

the drive when it is through processing. This causes NMK, when control

is returned to it, to spawn the actual commands from the final

drive/directory, rather than where it was originally invoked.

The make file below, if run from Drive D, will demonstrate the

problem. It works properly with NMAKE.EXE but not with NMK.COM.

all: cded.exe

cded.exe: cded.obj

c:\

copy cded.obj cded.exe

cded.obj: cded.mak

copy cded.mak c:\cded.obj

To work around the problem, add a line at the end of each place block

where you change the drive/directory to the original one (if known).

For example, change the above make file to the following:

all: cded.exe

cded.exe: cded.obj

c:\

copy cded.obj cded.exe

d:

cded.obj: cded.mak

copy cded.mak c:\cded.obj