I agree, and even more strongly: you don't even need to remember .PHONY as long as your target names don't overlap with actual filenames, which is usually easy.

I agree, and even more strongly: you don't even need to remember .PHONY as long as your target names don't overlap with actual filenames, which is usually easy. In fact, I didn't even know about .PHONY and have used make for a long time. That's what's great about it, even if you stick to the most basic features make is incredibly easy and straightforward. Dare I say, it "just" works lol. I hate the proliferation of new tools that are the same as a tool that's been around for 20 years and is no different in any significant way except being trendy. Just unnecessary entropy. Our job is to manage and reduce, not maximize entropy.