How to Create a Makefile to Compile p4KyuCho.cpp with Stack Files in Unix

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What is a Makefile?

A makefile is a special file, containing shell commands, used by the make build automation tool to compile and manage projects. It simplifies the build process by automatically determining which pieces of the program need to be recompiled and issues the commands to compile them.

Setting Up Your Project

Before creating the makefile, ensure your project is structured correctly. Here’s a simple example of what your directory might look like:

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Writing the Makefile

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Explanation of the Makefile

CXX and CXXFLAGS: These define the compiler (g++) and the compiler flags (-Wall for all warnings and -g for debug information).

OBJ: This variable lists all the object files required for the final executable.

TARGET: This is the name of the output executable.

Pattern Rule: %.o: %.cpp is a pattern rule that compiles each .cpp file to an .o file.

Linking Rule: $(TARGET): $(OBJ) describes how to link the object files to create the final executable.

Clean Rule: This allows you to clean up your directory by deleting object files and the executable (make clean).

Running the Makefile

Navigate to your project directory in the terminal and simply run:

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To clean up the compiled files, you can run:

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By following the instructions and the example makefile provided, you can manage your C++ compilation process more effectively. This basic makefile setup can be later extended to cater to more complex project requirements as needed.