Targets in Several Description Blocks

Using a file as a target in more than one description block causes NMAKE to end. You can overcome this limitation by using two colons (::) as the target/dependent separator instead of one colon.

The following description block is permissible:

X :: A
  command
X :: B
  command

The following causes NMAKE to end:

X : A
  command
X : B
  command

It is permissible to use single colons if the target/dependent lines are grouped above the same commands. The following is permissible:

X : A
X : B
  command

TARGET.LIB :: A.ASM B.ASM C.ASM
  ML A.ASM B.ASM C.ASM
  LIB TARGET -+A.OBJ -+B.OBJ -+C.OBJ;

TARGET.LIB :: D.C E.C
  ICC /C D.C E.C
  LIB TARGET -+D.OBJ -+E.OBJ;

These two description blocks update the library named TARGET.LIB. If any of the assembly-language files have changed more recently than the library file, NMAKE executes the commands in the first block to assemble the source files and update the library. Similarly, if any of the C-language files have changed, NMAKE executes the second group of commands to compile the C files and update the library.