PRB: Commands Fail in Makefile if Directory Over 66 Characters

ID: Q154059

The information in this article applies to:

The Program Maintenance Utility (NMAKE.EXE), included with:
- Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, 16-bit edition, versions 1.0, 1.5, 1.52, 1.52b, 1.52c
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 5.0, 6.0

SYMPTOMS

When running on Windows 95, commands in the makefile echo out to the screen but they do not execute. For example, the sample makefile shown below echoes the following commands:


   dir *.*
   md test

but neither command is executed.

CAUSE

The directory in which you are running nmake is over 66 characters long. When running in MS-DOS mode on Windows 95, the MS-DOS limitation of 66 characters, including the drive and colon, still applies. Long filenames are counted as 8 characters when determining the total length of a directory.

RESOLUTION

If you need to run NMAKE from the Command prompt, the fully qualified directory length cannot exceed 66 characters.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Makefile


ALL:
    dir *.*
    md test

Additional query words: 1.40 1.60.570 1.61.6038 Win95

Keywords : kbVC100 kbVC150 kbVC151 kbVC152 kbVC200 kbVC210 kbVC220 kbVC400 kbVC410 kbVC420 kbVC500 kbVC600 NmakeIss
Version : 1.5 1.51 1.52 2.0 4.0 4.1 5.0 6.0
Platform : NT WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb