From: Eric Backus <ericb AT lsid DOT hp DOT com>
Subject: Re: make problem (probably go32 prob)
To: rri!potter AT vtserf DOT cc DOT vt DOT edu
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 94 17:55:39 PDT
Cc: djgpp AT sun DOT soe DOT clarkson DOT edu
Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85]

> Just bumped into another make problem, however this one is probably
> actually a problem with go32.  It is best illistrated with the
> following make file:
> 
> 	t1:
> 		c:/djgpp/bin/echo This is a test
> 
> 	t2:
> 		c:/djgpp/bin/echo "This is a test"

...

> Anyone have any ideas on the cause of the problem.
> My quick look at the go32 code revealed that it system()'s if there
> is and redirection in the command ("<>|"), otherwise it spawnlp()'s
> (if that fails it falls through to the system() call).

I'm not sure what go32 code you're referring to.  However, make itself
has to decide whether to use the shell (command.com in this case) when
it executes a line from the makefile.  Make looks for any characters
that require a shell to interpret, which includes quote characters,
wildcards, redirection, and so on.  If it sees these characters, make
will use a shell to execute the command, otherwise make will execute
it directly.
--
				Eric Backus
				ericb AT lsid DOT hp DOT com
				(206) 335-2495