### Inline Files

When to use Inline Files
You might need to issue a command in the makefile with a list of arguments exceeding the command-line limit of the operating system. Just as the Make utility supports the use of command files, it can also generate inline files that are read as response files by other programs.

To generate an inline file, use the following syntax for your description block:

    target : dependents
      command @<<[filename]
    inline file text
    << [KEEP | NOKEEP]

All of the text between the two sets of double less-than signs (< <) is placed into an inline file and given the name filename. If a file name is not given, the Make utility gives the file a unique name in the directory specified by the TMP environment variable, if it is defined. Otherwise, the Make utility creates a unique file name in the current directory.

The inline file can be temporary or permanent. By default, or if you specify the keyword NOKEEP, the inline file is temporary. Specify KEEP to retain the file.

Note: The at sign (@) is not part of the the Make utility syntax but is the typical character used by utility programs (such as ILINK) to designate a file as a response file.

#### Inline File Example

    MATH.LIB : ADD.OBJ SUB.OBJ MUL.OBJ DIV.OBJ
      LIB @<<
    MATH.LIB
    -+ADD.OBJ-+SUB.OBJ-+MUL.OBJ-+DIV.OBJ
    listing
    <<

This example creates an inline file and uses it to invoke the Library Manager (LIB). The inline file is used as a response file by (LIB). It specifies which library to use, the commands to execute, and the listing file to produce the inline file contains:

    MATH.LIB
    -+ADD.OBJ-+SUB.OBJ-+MUL.OBJ-+DIV.OBJ
    listing

Because no file name is listed after the LIB command, the inline file is given a unique name and placed into the current directory (or the directory defined by the TMP environment variable).

Makefiles

Supply input to the Make Utility from a Response File
Supply input to the Make Utility from the Command Line

Makefile Command Options