This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Anton Dolganin
If you’re using Makefiles — add a make help command.
It auto-parses comments and shows all tasks instantly.
Simple hack, huge productivity boost.
help:
@awk 'BEGIN {FS=":"} \
/^#/ {comment=substr($$0,3)} \
/^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+:/ {printf "\033[36m%-20s\033[0m %s\n", $$1, comment}' Makefile
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Anton Dolganin
Print
Share
Comment
Cite
Upload
Translate
Updates
There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.
APA
MLA
Anton Dolganin | Sciencx (2025-11-19T17:48:57+00:00) Makefiles — add a make help command. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/
" » Makefiles — add a make help command." Anton Dolganin | Sciencx - Wednesday November 19, 2025, https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/
HARVARDAnton Dolganin | Sciencx Wednesday November 19, 2025 » Makefiles — add a make help command., viewed ,<https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/>
VANCOUVERAnton Dolganin | Sciencx - » Makefiles — add a make help command. [Internet]. [Accessed ]. Available from: https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/
CHICAGO" » Makefiles — add a make help command." Anton Dolganin | Sciencx - Accessed . https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/
IEEE" » Makefiles — add a make help command." Anton Dolganin | Sciencx [Online]. Available: https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/. [Accessed: ]
rf:citation » Makefiles — add a make help command | Anton Dolganin | Sciencx | https://www.scien.cx/2025/11/19/makefiles-add-a-make-help-command/ |
Please log in to upload a file.
There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.