Command line tool to convert VC project files to Makefile

**Harman** · 25-10-2008

Does anyone know of a Windows compatible command line tool that capable of parsing Microsoft's VC++ workspace/project (e.g., .dsw, .dsp, .sln, ..vcproj, etc.) files and generating an nmake-compatible Makefile. I don't like or use the IDE but many authors distribute their source code with project files but no makefile.

**ADISH** · 25-10-2008

May be you can write such tool yourself, a few hours with Python or Perl and will be done.

**EnZo2** · 25-10-2008

This is OT on c.l.c and c.l.c++. F'ups set. I believe VC has the ability to write a make file from a project. Of course it is for the non-standard nmake, but it should be close enough to rework.

**SuB-Zero** · 25-10-2008

If you use your editor directly on a project file, it will make, bake, rebuild, etc:

msdev PackageTwo/PackageTwo.dsp /MAKE "PackageTwo - Win32 Debug"

DevEnv supports parallel malarky.

The problem with the "generate makefile" menu item is if you forget to do it, and change your DSP or VCPROJ file, your command line version is screwed.