Thread: makefile question

  1. #1
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    makefile question

    Can I verify in a makefile that a directory exists ?
    For example if the dir already exists and I do mkdir <dir> it gives me an error. and the scripts execution ends. I don't want that. Can I do the verification in the makefile?

  2. #2
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    Two ways...
    Code:
    default:
       - mkdir bin
       - mkdir bin
       - mkdir bin
    Attempt to make the directory, but do not exit the makefile on error.


    Code:
    default:
       if [ ! -d bin ]; then mkdir bin; fi;
       if [ ! -d bin ]; then mkdir bin; fi;
       if [ ! -d bin ]; then mkdir bin; fi;
    Test for the directory before attempting to make it.
    Callou collei we'll code the way
    Of prime numbers and pings!

  3. #3
    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    Another way of doing it (which should be more portable than QuestionC's second method) is to set each directory as a target:

    Code:
    default: dirA dirB
    
    dirA:
       mkdir dirA
    
    dirB:
       mkdir dirB
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    Officially An Architect brewbuck's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by spank View Post
    Can I verify in a makefile that a directory exists ?
    For example if the dir already exists and I do mkdir <dir> it gives me an error. and the scripts execution ends. I don't want that. Can I do the verification in the makefile?
    Who cares about verifying if it's there. Use "mkdir -p", which won't fail if the directory already exists.

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