Question

I wish to compile partial targets which is $(APPS) but excluding targets in $(OFF) in the makefile:

APPS = a b c d e f g
OFF = d e

all: $(APPS)

partial: $(APPS) - $(OFF)

How can I do this?

Answer 1

I’d probably just take a slightly different approach:

ON = a b c f g
OFF = d e
APPS = $(ON) $(OFF)

partial: $(ON)

But if this is too simplistic for your needs, there is a filter-out function that can provide the exact operation you want:

      objects=main1.o foo.o main2.o bar.o
      mains=main1.o main2.o
      $(filter-out $(mains),$(objects))

I think re-writing your example in this format would be:

APPS = a b c d e f g
OFF = c d

partial: $(filter-out $(APPS),$(OFF))