Re: Colons in targets/dependencies

[Paul D. Smith]

%% Nick Moffitt <address@hidden> writes:

  nm> Next question:
  nm>   Can you tell me why the following gives me " *** No rule to
  nm> make target `downloads/index.html'.  Stop."?

Because you've not provided a rule to build downloads/index.html.

This pattern:

  nm> downloads/%: http//zork.net/%

doesn't do what you think it does: declaring a pattern rule without a
command isn't like creating an explicit rule without a command.  See the
GNU make manual, section "Canceling Implicit Rules".

  nm> http//%:
  nm>         cd downloads
  nm>         wget http://$*
 
  nm> .PHONY: http//%

This .PHONY also doesn't mean anything.

  nm> .DEFAULT: downloads/index.html    

Try something like:

  GET = downloads/index.html

  http//%:
        ...

  .PHONY: all
  all: $(GET:%=http//zork.net/%)

maybe.

-- 
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 Paul D. Smith <address@hidden>          Find some GNU make tips at:
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 "Please remain calm...I may be mad, but I am a professional." --Mad Scientist