Q75206: BUG: Inference Rules Not Invoked on Multiple Targets

Article: Q75206
Product(s): Microsoft Programming Utilities
Version(s): MS-DOS:1.1x,1.2,1.3,1.4; NT:1.4,1.5; OS/2:1.1x,1.21
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 30-OCT-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft NMAKE Utility for MS-DOS, versions 1.1x, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 
- Microsoft NMAKE Utility for OS/2, versions 1.1x, 1.21 
- Microsoft NMAKE Utility for Windows NT, versions 1.4, 1.5 
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SYMPTOMS
========

The Microsoft NMAKE utility may not invoke inference rules when multiple
dependency lines are used for a single target as illustrated in the sample
makefile below.

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around this problem, either avoid the use of multiple dependency lines
for a single target, or do not use inference rules.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in NMAKE versions noted above. We
are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When NMAKE processes the following sample makefile, the inference rule to build
the executable file is not executed. However, the inference rule to build the
object file is executed correctly because the object files are build as one
target. Also, the commands stated explicitly for multiple targets are executed
correctly.

Sample Makefile
---------------

  # NMAKE options needed: none
   
  # inference rule that should be invoked
  .obj.exe:
   
      LINK /INFO TEST.OBJ;
   
  all : test.exe
   
  # default inference rule executed for single target
  test.obj : test.c
   
  # inference rule not executed for multiple targets
  test.exe :: test.obj
   
  test.exe :: test.def
   
      echo Not using .DEF file

Additional query words: 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.20 1.21 1.30 1.40 1.50

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbNMAKESearch kbNMAKE120DOS kbNMAKE130DOS kbNMAKE140DOS kbNMAKE121OS2 kbNMAKE140NT kbNMAKE150NT
Version           : MS-DOS:1.1x,1.2,1.3,1.4; NT:1.4,1.5; OS/2:1.1x,1.21

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