Re: Content tracking mode for make

[Edward Welbourne]

> Somtimes, it is possible that a code generator replaces the
> existing files in the code base with the same content. It might
> be a good option to enable content checking before make
> rebuilds the replaced file (with the same content) again.

Another approach: have the code generator run on a source tree separate
from the one in which you run make; use rsync or some similar tool to
synchronise your build tree with this source tree; configure the
synchroniser to only copy what's changed, regardless of time-stamps;
ISTR rsync can be persuaded to do that, but git would work for this job,
equally.

Now your code-gen can be profligate about rewriting and make need only
concern itself with time-stamps.  Keeping track of the "do nothing
unless changed" problem is delegated to the synchroniser.  Your build
process is then: run the graphical monstrosity; sync its tree with the
build tree; run make.

The unix philosophy: each tool does one job well; chain such tools, to
do complex jobs,

        Eddy.