how do i make file

Incremental compilation is nice, but expressing dependencies between objects, sources and headers is a pain in the ass. gcc -M is utter garbage not unlike GCC itself and generates thirty to fifty useless prerequisites per file in case one of the system headers changes. Gotta make sure, the user might be retarded after all.

How do I write good make files and still have time for actual programming?

>>1
Why do you care if generated output you never read contains a bunch if system headers? If you do happen to update your system libraries, not updating the targets that include them could produce incorrect results. Stop pretending you know better and just let the tool do its job.

>>2,3
No make replacement addresses all of make's shortcomings without also introducing new ones. For many projects there is no net benefit in switching to something else.

>>4
Sure; who needs incremental builds or error handling? Build systems that take five minutes to rebuild after you change a single file and don't halt on errors are just great!