Using NMAKE Command Files

A command file is a response file used to extend command-line input to NMAKE.

You can split input to NMAKE between the command line and a command file. Use the name of a command file (preceded by @) where you normally type the input information on the command line.

Why Use a Command File?

Use a command file for:

• Complex and long commands you type frequently
  
• Strings of command-line arguments, such as macro definitions, that exceed the limit for command-line length

  Note: A command file is not the same as a description file. For information about description files, see Description Files

  Command-File Syntax

  To provide input to NMAKE with a command file, type

  NMAKE @commandfile

  For the <commandfile> parameter, enter the name of a file containing the same information as is normally entered on the command line.

  NMAKE treats line breaks that occur between arguments as spaces. Macro definitions can span multiple lines if you end each line except the last with a backslash (\). Macro definitions that contain spaces must be enclosed by quotation marks, just as if they were entered directly on the command line.

  Example

  The following is a command file called UPDATE:

  /S "program \
  = flash" SORT.EXE SEARCH.EXE
  

  You can use this command file by typing the following command:

  NMAKE @UPDATE
  

  This runs NMAKE using:

  • The /S option
    
  • The macro definition "program = flash"
    
  • The targets specified as SORT.EXE and SEARCH.EXE
    
  • The description file, MAKEFILE, by default

  Note that the backslash allows the macro definition to span two lines.

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