[invsblduck]

Most newer/younger people don't like or know Make; it's old, arcane software.

It differentiates between TABs and Spaces because each one signifies a different thing to follow: Lines starting with TAB indicate that a _recipe_ follows (which is shell syntax), and lines NOT starting with TAB indicate that a _rule_ follows (ie., native Makefile grammar/syntax).

Hate it or not, it's been a reliable workhorse for decades.

[bch]

Disclaimer: I like make(1).

That said, the description above is accurate, but still describes an almost immediately regrettable mistake[0]. Many are used to it now, and the semantics are “fact” now, but could still have been avoided.

[0] https://stackoverflow.com/a/1765566

[invsblduck]

Thank you for the epic reference! Despite all the classic works in computer history, I've come to realize that TAOUP is honestly/possibly my favorite. ok, maybe tied for favorite...