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Makefiles are older than Doom why are we still using them?
- The use of 'make', an ancient build tool, is questioned in modern software development despite its historical significance and prevalence in numerous projects.
- Make's syntax, characterized by intricate rules and the need for precise indentation, has made it a challenging tool to work with.
- While modern alternatives like CMake exist, they often still rely on 'make' underneath the surface, maintaining its grip on certain development environments.
- Although considered fragile and outdated, 'make' continues to be deeply embedded in various systems, especially in academia and monorepos.
- Usage of 'make' persists due to its ubiquitous presence and simplicity in smaller projects, CLI tools, and legacy codebases.
- Despite its limitations, 'make' remains a reliable choice for quick and efficient build setups without the overhead of complex configurations.
- Modern development tools are aiming to surpass 'make' by offering better syntax, clearer documentation, and improved developer experiences.
- The future of build systems may involve smart, context-aware tools that reduce manual efforts and improve productivity for developers.
- Devs are seeking advancements in build tools that are more declarative, user-friendly, and automated, enhancing the efficiency of the build process.
- While 'make' still has its place in certain scenarios, the evolution of build systems is inevitable, with a focus on creating tools tailored for modern development needs.
- Ultimately, the choice of build tool depends on the specific requirements of each project, aiming to maintain efficient builds and developer sanity.
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