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Q154059: PRB: Commands Fail in Makefile if Directory Over 66 Characters

Article: Q154059
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 1.5 1.51 1.52 2.0 4.0 4.1 5.0 6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbVC100 kbVC150 kbVC151 kbVC152 kbVC200 kbVC210 kbVC220 kbVC400 kbVC410 kbVC420 kbVC500
Last Modified: 30-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- The Program Maintenance Utility (NMAKE.EXE), included with:
   - Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, 16-bit edition, versions 1.0, 1.5, 1.52, 1.52b, 1.52c 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 4.0, 4.1 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 4.2 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 4.2 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 5.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 5.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When running on Windows 95, commands in the makefile echo out to the screen but
they do not execute. For example, the sample makefile shown below echoes the
following commands:

  dir *.*
  md test

but neither command is executed.

CAUSE
=====

The directory in which you are running nmake is over 66 characters long. When
running in MS-DOS mode on Windows 95, the MS-DOS limitation of 66 characters,
including the drive and colon, still applies. Long filenames are counted as 8
characters when determining the total length of a directory.

RESOLUTION
==========

If you need to run NMAKE from the Command prompt, the fully qualified directory
length cannot exceed 66 characters.

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

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

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

ALL:
   dir *.*
   md test

Additional query words: 1.40 1.60.570 1.61.6038 Win95

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbVC100 kbVC150 kbVC151 kbVC152 kbVC200 kbVC210 kbVC220 kbVC400 kbVC410 kbVC420 kbVC500 kbVC600 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbNMAKESearch
Version           : 1.5 1.51 1.52 2.0 4.0 4.1 5.0 6.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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