NMakefile

NMakefile is the name commonly used for the makefile read by the Microsoft NMake build utility. NMake is a make-like tool supplied with Microsoft Visual Studio and related Windows SDKs. A NMakefile describes how to build a target from its dependencies by listing rules and the commands to execute.

Typical naming and invocation: The file used by NMake is conventionally named NMakefile, though the tool can also use a file named Makefile or another name specified with the /F option. The usual workflow is to run nmake in a project directory; NMake reads the makefile, expands variables, and executes the commands for the default target, often all or a specific one passed as an argument.

Structure and syntax: A NMakefile consists of variable definitions and rules. Variables are defined with an equals sign, and referenced with $(VAR). A rule has the form: target: dependencies and is followed by one or more commands, each on its own line and usually indented with a tab. Commands are executed by the Windows command processor (cmd.exe). NMake supports conditional processing and file inclusion through its own directives, which differ from those in GNU Make.

Portability and limitations: NMake is primarily intended for Windows and for projects that rely on Microsoft toolchains such as cl.exe and link.exe. Its syntax and built-in functions differ from GNU Make, so makefiles written for GNU Make may not work with NMake without modification. It remains used for legacy builds and for simple projects where Visual Studio tooling is preferred.

NMakefiles are a foundational component of Windows-based C/C++ build processes and remain relevant mainly for legacy or tightly integrated Visual Studio workflows.