How do I check if file exists in Makefile so I can delete it?

Question

In the clean section of my Makefile I am trying to check if the file exists before deleting permanently. I use this code but I receive errors.

What\'s w

Answer 1

The answers like the one from @mark-wilkins using \ to continue lines and ; to terminate them in the shell or like the ones from @kenorb changing this to one line are good and will fix this problem.

there's a simpler answer to the original problem (as @alexey-polonsky pointed out). Use the -f flag to rm so that it won't trigger an error

rm -f myApp

this is simpler, faster and more reliable. Just be careful not to end up with a slash and an empty variable

rm -f /$(myAppPath) #NEVER DO THIS

you might end up deleting your system.