how to prevent “directory already exists error” in a makefile when using mkdir

Question

I need to generate a directory in my makefile and I would like to not get the \"directory already exists error\" over and over even though I can easily ignore it.

I

Answer 1

A little simpler than Lars' answer:

something_needs_directory_xxx : xxx/..

and generic rule:

%/.. : ;@mkdir -p $(@D)

No touch-files to clean up or make .PRECIOUS :-)

If you want to see another little generic gmake trick, or if you're interested in non-recursive make with minimal scaffolding, you might care to check out Two more cheap gmake tricks and the other make-related posts in that blog.