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makefilesyntax-errorfile-exists

Error in Makefile during a simple check for existing file

within a makefile I need to check if a file exists. Regarding to this answer from holms, I tried it in this way:

all:
    ifeq ("","$(wildcard testFile)")
       echo "File exists"
    else
       echo "File is missing"
    endif

Nevertheless I get this error: 

ifeq ("","")
/bin/sh: 1: Syntax error: word unexpected (expecting ")")
Makefile:3: recipe for target 'all' failed
make: *** [all] Error 2

Where is my mistake and how to interpret this syntax error message?

Solution

  • You've tabbed the make syntax lines, so make is passing them to your shell, get rid of the tabs (also reverse the conditional and remove the quotes)

    all:
ifeq (,$(wildcard testFile))
    echo File is missing
else
    echo File exists
endif