The Microsoft Program Maintenance Utility (NMAKE) is a sophisticated command processor that saves time and simplifies project management. Once you specify which project files depend on others, NMAKE automatically executes the commands needed to update your project when any project file has changed.
The advantage of using NMAKE instead of simple batch files is that NMAKE recompiles only those files that need recompiling. NMAKE doesn't waste time with files that haven't changed since the last build. NMAKE also has advanced features (such as macros) that simplify managing complex projects.
This chapter includes examples that show how each feature of NMAKE works. In addition, Section 10.9, “A Sample NMAKE Description File,” shows how many of these features work together.
If you are using the Microsoft Programmer's WorkBench (PWB) to build your project, PWB automatically creates a description file (called a “makefile” in the PWB documentation) and calls NMAKE to run the file. You may want to read this chapter if you intend to build your program outside of PWB or if you want to understand or modify a description file created by PWB.
A utility called NMK allows you to use NMAKE to manage your project under DOS (or in a DOS session under OS/2). Section 10.11, “Using NMK,” explains when and how to use NMK.
If you are familiar with MAKE, the predecessor to NMAKE, be sure to read Section 10.10, “Differences between NMAKE and MAKE.” These utilities differ in several important respects.