Re: M-x compile for different file extensions

[Henrik Enberg <henrik+news@enberg.org>]

"wgh" <wgh@askme.ok> writes:

> Is there a way to have M-x compile to automatically detect
> what command to use depending on the file extension of the
> current buffer being edited?

Naturally, here's a silly example that uses different compiler depending
on whether it's a C or C++ file.  It also uses a Makefile if there is
one present in the same directory.

(add-hook 'c-mode-common-hook
	  (lambda ()
	    (unless (file-exists-p "Makefile")
	      (set (make-local-variable 'compile-command)
		   (let ((file (file-name-nondirectory buffer-file-name)))
		     (concat (if (eq major-mode 'c++-mode)
				 "g++ -Wall -o "
			       "gcc -O2 -Wall -o ")
			     (file-name-sans-extension file)
			     " " file))))))

You can also type the compile command in the minibuffer.

> Because I don't really see the advantage of using M-x compile
> if I can get away with fewer keystrokes in Bash doing the
> exact same thing (i.e. typing the compile command, pressing
> the up arrow if I need to recompile, etc.)

`compile' does more than just running the compiler.  Read the node
"Building" in the Emacs manual.

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