Make

Debugging Commands

Debug complex Makefiles with dry-runs, database dumps, and trace output. Essential for troubleshooting build issues.

6 commands

Pro Tips

Use 'make -n' to see commands without executing - essential for testing.

Use '--debug=why' to understand why a target is being rebuilt.

$ make -n

Print commands without executing.

$ make -p

Print internal database and rules.

$ make -d

Print debugging information.

$ make --debug=why target

Show why target is being remade.

$ make -p | grep 'VAR ='

Find variable value in database.

$ make SHELL='sh -x'

Trace shell commands.