Generating make files

[thmm]

How would you create a makefile for a project that has only a bunch of .c and .h files?
Are there any tools available that can create makefiles?

[jonnin]

yes, most IDE can export them from a project.
c or c++ or actually other languages does not matter.

[Repeater]

When I have a simple project to make a Makefile for, I use a text editor.

Notepad would do, although since TAB is meaningful in a Makefile, an editor that shows TABs visibly is helpful.

[keskiverto]

Are there any tools available that can create makefiles?

Yes. Many. For example,

'GNU Build System', aka GNU Autotools, has been around for ages.

'CMake' is more recent. See https://cmake.org/

Qt-framework has its 'qmake'.

[thmm]

OOPS,

I recognized that I didn't explain clearly. I know how to write a simple make file with an editor.
I just find it too tedious with 10-20 file names, so I am looking for a tool.
I am just a bit fed up with IDEs at the moment.

@keskiverto,
thanks, I will have a look at CMake.

[doug4]

I don't know anybody who likes to set up Makefiles. If you find a tool do do what you want, go for it.

However, Makefiles do have wildcards. Also, g++ has a flag that can generate dependencies for a source file which can be included as part of a Makefile. So, it is possible to set up a Makefile that doesn't need to grow as you add files to a project. Then, you can copy&paste it to other projects going forward.

It takes a little doing, and I don't have an example at my fingertips to show you, but it is possible.