Large projects tend to have many source files. Often, only a few source files need to be compiled when a change is made. NMAKE32 allows a user to set up a special file called a "description" file (or "makefile") that tells NMAKE32:

• Which files depend on others

• Which commands, such as compile and link commands, need to be carried out to bring programs up to date.

This use of NMAKE32 is only one example of its power. By building suitable description files, NMAKE32 can be used to:

• Make backups

• Configure data files

• Run programs when data files are modified.