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Q43064: NMAKE and the Backslash "\" Character |
/pubs/pc/reference/microsoft/kb/Q43064/ |
Article: Q43064
Version(s): 1.00 | 1.00
Operating System: MS-DOS | OS/2
Flags: ENDUSER |
Last Modified: 3-MAY-1989
The backslash "\" character in NMAKE has two different meanings
depending on how it is used. One of its uses is as a line-continuation
character. The other use is as a path specifier.
The primary use of "\" is as a line continuation-character. For
example, if you have a dependency line that extends more than one
line, use the "\" character to continue to the next line. It is
correct to include a space prior to the "\" or to append it to the
last dependent, as in the following examples:
FOO : obj1 obj2 obj3 obj4 obj5 \ (CORRECT)
obj6 obj7...etc.
FOO : obj1 obj2 obj3 obj4 obj5\ (CORRECT)
obj6 obj7...etc.
The "\" character is also used as a path specifier. When "\" is the
last character on the line and is meant as a path specifier, you must
precede it with the caret "^" character to tell NMAKE to override its
meaning as a line-continuation character.
The following macro definition is an example demonstrating the use of
"\" as a path specifier:
exe_dir = c:\bin^\ (CORRECT)
exe_dir = c:\bin\ (INCORRECT)
The following will be interpreted as a line-continuation character.
exe_dir = c:\bin\ (INCORRECT)
Preceding the "\" with another "\" will nullify the meaning as a
line-continuation character. However, when this macro is expanded,
both backslashes will appear, producing an incorrect path.