title: Makefiles, how can I use them?
body: <p><strong>^ This is not a duplicate question ^</strong></p>
  
  <p><strong>Updated</strong>:</p>
  
  <p>I'm fairly new to programming and I've only now just come across makefiles.</p>
  
  <p>I've downloaded a bunch of tutorials and source code from a variety of places over the last few months; until now I've only been using VS solutions and been avoiding them.</p>
  
  <p>I've seen multiple methods of using Makefiles on google, but they all differ in complexity...</p>
  
  <p>I don't have a clue about them or how to use them. Thanks.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Edit (re-worded):</strong></p>
  
  <p>To summarise, due to the obvious confusion, my questions are (and always were):</p>
  
  <pre><code>1) Is there a good tutorial that comes recommended or is it easy to get started with Makefiles?
  2) How do you launch and run an existing Makefile? And, 
  3) Do Makefiles hold any vital data about the program or could I just use the `.h` and `.cpp` files that come with them in a new solution built from scratch?
  </code></pre>