Can't Execute Makefile, Even As Root!

Question

I'm trying to compile a c program, but when I try to execute the makefile, I get "Permission denied".

This is what I did :

root@mycpu:/usr/bin# MakeFile
-bash: /usr/bin/MakeFile: Permission denied
root@mycpu:/usr/bin# 

Solution

First off:

1. Don't compile things as root, it is totally unnecessary. It may be needed for the final make install, but most likely not otherwise.
2. Don't compile things in /usr/bin, that's where (base system) utilities are installed.

Instead:

1. Compile things as "you" (ordinary user).
2. Compile things somewhere in your home directory, for example in a temporary ~/build directory under which you have unpacked the sources.

The Makefile is not an executable. It is a file containing instructions for the make program for how to build a particular piece of software.

You use the Makefile by simply typing make.

If the software came with any installation instructions (look for an INSTALL file), read them.

Comments

[smw]

Makefiles are usually executed explicitly with make e.g. make -f MakeFile or just make if you have named the file suitably (it will look for a makefile or Makefile in the current directory by default).

[Dmitry Grigoryev]

This question looks like one of those nightmares which don't make any sense but are scary as hell.

[radrow]

I don't get why this question is downvoted

[GremlinsBane]

Man, I feel stupid. Thank you for your help!

[Kusalananda]

@GremlinsBane The stupider you feel, the less likely it is that you will be in the same situation again. Also, I have definitely done things like this! :-)

[GremlinsBane]

That's encouraging!

[JdeBP]

A common Debian trick is for a debian/rules file to be an executable makefile, with #!/usr/bin/make -sf as its interpreter. But at beginner level, yes, makefiles are not directly executable.