[lloeki]

> This is the reason you use it instead of build shell scripts: it allows build steps to run in parallel, it guarantees order by dependency which is the best way to read build steps, and it makes file freshness an easy element to check for a build step

This is indeed true way beyond Go. Alternatives/replacements to make (rake, scons, bespoke shell scripts, whatever) make this in a range going from painfully non obvious to downright impossible.

For all its limitations and reputation for complexity, Makefiles can achieve a form of simplicity that renders this very simple, outrageously self documenting, and language independent.