在Mac上的终端中使用make编译代码

Question

I'm trying to learn to program in C and I'm getting used to compiling the code after writing it. I'm actually using K&R 2nd edition to start off and they use 'cc' to compile. I originally started using Zed Shaw's Learn C The Hard Way but I've stopped because I haven't heard many good things about it. Zed Shaw's way was to use 'make' to compile code, at least in the beginning.

Is there any technical difference between using 'make' and using 'cc' that I should be concerned about right now?

Answer 1

make simply gives commands to the compiler, such as cc . It automates building a project which has multiple files. To begin, you do not need to concern yourself with those details. Building a single file directly with cc is fine. In fact, you will understand how the compiler works so that you can get the most out of make when you eventually learn it.

Answer 2

I agree with code-apprentice. I would just add that it is important to have a good understanding of different cc command line options before moving on to make. When you reach the point of a more complexe compilation project and the build process of your final binary becomes a pain, that's when you can transition to learning Make!