I used GNU make to manage a data pipeline with a large number of (mostly Python) scripts written by a team. It had to process lots of data using many steps. Ma

I used GNU make to manage a data pipeline with a large number of (mostly Python) scripts written by a team. It had to process lots of data using many steps. Make worked very well for this use case. It easily auto-generated dependencies, ran tests, and supported parallel execution. In a tiny fraction of a second it determined what needed to be done, and only did that. We created a small collection that we released as open source software. You can get it here: https://github.com/david-a-wheeler/make-booster https://github.com/david-a-wheeler/make-booster I think a lot of hate on make is due to poor use. If your makefile is complex, refactor it. Auto-generate dependencies (it only takes a few lines in GNU make). And don't use recursive make, that way lies madness. I also think GNU make is the wiser tool; POSIX make lacks too much in many cases.