I have described the handful of GNU Make features that I employ to greatest effect in my work (mostly C/C++ programming). By adhering to a few simple conventions when you initially structure your project you can employ these techniques to create a few simple building-block Makefiles that you can then reuse throughout your work. Ultimately, even a complex and dynamic project can be maintained by a Makefile that is just a few lines long. Take just a little time to get to know GNU Make and you may save much time in the long run.