Migrating makefiles from Unix to Windows

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Using a Unix-originated makefile on Windows Vista presents significant challenges due to the fundamental differences between Windows and Unix-like systems. The primary recommendation for users is to utilize Cygwin, which provides a POSIX-compatible environment on Windows, allowing for better compatibility with Unix tools. Without such a subsystem, migrating a makefile is generally not feasible, as it likely relies on Unix-specific executables that are not available on Windows.For those determined to use Unix tools on Windows, installing a Linux distribution is suggested, with Linux Mint being highlighted as a user-friendly option for Windows converts. Users should ensure they have all necessary tools like ld, sed, and a compiler, but even with these, syntax differences in the makefile could still cause issues. Virtualization is also mentioned as a potential solution, but Cygwin remains the most straightforward approach for running Unix makefiles on Windows.
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How do I use a Unix-originated makefile on Windows Vista? Is there any simple guidelines for migrating the makefile such that it works?
 
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Um... it depends... 1st thing I'd try would be Cygwin. That would probably be the only thing I'd try under Windows. Migrating... just no! Without a POSIX subsystem(like Cygwin/Interix), there just isn't a feasible way to do it.

The problem comes from the fact that Windows and *nix are totally different, and almost completely incompatible. The makefile is likely to depend on certain executable that come standard on *nix being on your system, but they won't be there.

Basically, if your going to use *nix tools, it's easiest to install a *nix. There are Linux distros for people who are used to Windows. I think "Mint" is a special made distro for Win-converts. Anyway, point is, you CAN have both.
 
TylerH said:
Um... it depends... 1st thing I'd try would be Cygwin. That would probably be the only thing I'd try under Windows. Migrating... just no! Without a POSIX subsystem(like Cygwin/Interix), there just isn't a feasible way to do it.

The problem comes from the fact that Windows and *nix are totally different, and almost completely incompatible. The makefile is likely to depend on certain executable that come standard on *nix being on your system, but they won't be there.

Basically, if your going to use *nix tools, it's easiest to install a *nix. There are Linux distros for people who are used to Windows. I think "Mint" is a special made distro for Win-converts. Anyway, point is, you CAN have both.

Thanks TylerH.

In my case, I made sure that I have all the tools: ld, sed, compiler, make. but it still didn't work, so I was thinking that maybe the make itself (or some other tool) is using some slightly different syntax or something like that, and I was wondering - maybe there are some basic differences in sytax etc. that are common knowledge for people here..

It eems that I will have to use Cygwin like you're saying, or some virtualization, but I still have some hope..
 
It works like a charm.
Thanks story645 - this is a great collection.
 

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