C++ Makefile

gistfile1.txt

#
# !!!!!!!!!! REPLACE LEADING SPACES WITH TABS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#
# This GNU makefile http://www.gnu.org/software/make/manual/make.html
# supports 'debug' and 'release' builds of a C++ project.
# It also handles header file dependencies.
# The makefile requires all source files and the makefile to be in one directory.
# To build the debug build:  (.o, .d, and executable are put into ./debug)
#    $ make            # or make -jn   for building in parallel
# To build a release build: (.o, .d, and executable are put into ./release)
#    $ make RELEASE=1
# You should only have to edit the following lines for your project:
PROG = my_prog
ifdef windir
    PROG = my_prog.exe
endif
SOURCES = src1.cpp src2.cpp
DEFS = -D...
LDLIBS = -lboost_thread
CPPFLAGS += -Wall -I. $(DEFS)
ifdef windir
    CPPFLAGS += -DBOOST_THREAD_USE_LIB
endif
ifdef RELEASE
    CPPFLAGS += -O2
else
    ifdef GDB
        CPPFLAGS += -ggdb
    else
        CPPFLAGS += -g
    endif
endif
INSTALL_DIR = bin
# Normally, leave the rest of this Makefile as is

CXX = g++  # ensure GNU
CC = g++   # ensure GNU -- many use gcc here, but I get linker errors using gcc

# set OUTPUT_DIR according to build type
ifdef RELEASE
    OUTPUT_DIR = release
else
    OUTPUT_DIR = debug
endif

# below, convert each src, e.g., src1.cpp, to debug/src1.o and debug/src1.d
OBJS = $(SOURCES:%.cpp=$(OUTPUT_DIR)/%.o)
DEPS = $(SOURCES:%.cpp=$(OUTPUT_DIR)/%.d)

# default target, with implicit build rules
$(OUTPUT_DIR)/$(PROG): $(OBJS)
    # the next line seems to be needed sometimes (remove this line)
    $(LINK.o) $^ $(LOADLIBES) $(LDLIBS) -o $@

$(OUTPUT_DIR)/%.o: %.cpp
    $(CXX) $(CPPFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<

.PHONY: clean    # .PHONY = always build target (don’t look for it in the filesystem)
clean:
ifdef windir      # below, "\" needed for windows
    del $(OUTPUT_DIR)\$(PROG) $(SOURCES:%.cpp=$(OUTPUT_DIR)\\%.o) $(SOURCES:%.cpp=$(OUTPUT_DIR)\\%.d)
else
    rm -f $(OUTPUT_DIR)/$(PROG) $(OBJS) $(DEPS)
endif

.PHONY: install
install:       # this target likely only works on UNIX/Linux
ifdef windir
    mkdir $(INSTALL_DIR)
    copy $(OUTPUT_DIR)/$(PROG) $(INSTALL_DIR)
else
    mkdir -p $(INSTALL_DIR)
    cp -p $(OUTPUT_DIR)/$(PROG) $(INSTALL_DIR)
endif

$(OUTPUT_DIR)/%.d: %.cpp    # -MM finds hdr file dependencies, excludes system hdrs
    $(CXX) -MM -MF $@ -MT $(@:.d=.o) -MT $@ $<
    # e.g., $(CXX) -MM -MF debug/test.d -MT debug/test.o -MT debug/test.d

# "-" means be silent about missing files, such as removed .hpp files
ifneq ($(MAKECMDGOALS),clean)
-include $(DEPS)
endif

A comprehensive and easy to use C++ Makefile example can also be found here:

https://www.partow.net/programming/makefile/index.html