Make Faster On A Multicore Or Multi CPU Machine

This page answers questions like these:

• How to get make to run faster by using multiple cores or multiple CPU’s?
  
• How to get make to use multiple cores or multiple CPU’s?
  
• How to run make faster using multiple jobs?
  
• How to run make faster using multiple threads?
  
• How to run make faster using multiple processes?
  
• How to get independent parts of a makefile to run in parallel?
  

Run make Faster Using Multiple Jobs:

• Make files in the current directory, using NUMBER jobs (i.e. processes or threads) which will run in parallel.
• If no -j option is present, make uses a single process and runs each sub-command serially.
• If NUMBER is omitted, the number of jobs is not limited.
• Pros: Your programs will compile faster if you have a computer with multiple CPU’s or multiple cores.
• Cons: Your machine may grind to a halt for other users/processes if NUMBER is omitted or is much larger than the total number of cores/CPU’s on your machine.