BUG: Preprocessor Program Invocation Gets Wrong Return Value NMK

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft NMAKE Utility for MS-DOS, version 1.11

SYMPTOMS

NMK.COM version 1.11 does not correctly evaluate the return value from a program invocation in a preprocessor directive. NMK will always indicate that the program returns 0 (zero) no matter what the actual return value is. This can cause problems if the return value is used in some conditional code in the makefile. The sample code and makefile below may be used to illustrate this problem.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in NMK version 1.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

A program can be invoked in a makefile preprocessing directive by enclosing the program inside square brackets ([]). The program will be invoked before any other processing of the makefile is done.

NMAKE evaluates the program correctly and may be used to work around the problem; however, you may need to use the DOS extended versions of the compiler or assembler to work around the memory limitations of NMAKE.

For more information on preprocessing directives in makefiles, see the NMAKE documentation or online Help supplied with your version of the compiler or assembler.

Sample Code and Makefile

To illustrate the problem described above, compile or assemble one of the sample programs below to create an executable file called TEST.EXE. Save the following makefile as a file called MAKEFILE and invoke NMK with no arguments.

MAKEFILE

!IF ( [TEST.EXE] )   # This test is TRUE for NMAKE and FALSE for NMK

all:
    echo Worked

all:

    echo Failed

TEST.C

/* Sample C code that can be invoked as a part of a makefile
   preprocessor directive.

   Compile options needed: none
*/

#include <stdlib.h>

void main(void)

   exit(1);

TEST.ASM

; Sample assembly code that can be invoked as a part of a makefile ; preprocessor directive

; Compile options needed: none

   .MODEL small, os_dos

   .STACK

   .CODE
   .STARTUP
      mov al, 1h
   .EXIT

   END