Syntax error : end of file unexpected (expecting "fi")

Question

I am writing a makefile in bash and I have a target in which I try to find if a file exists and even though I think the syntax is correct, i still gives me an error.

Here is the script that I am trying to run

read: 
        if [ -e testFile] ; then \ 
        cat testFile\ 
        fi

I am using tabs so that is not a problem.

The error is (when I type in: "make read")

if [ -e testFile] ; then \
        cat testFile \
        fi
/bin/sh: Syntax error: end of file unexpected (expecting "fi")
make: *** [read] Error 2

Answer 1

Try adding a semicolon after cat testFile. For example:

read: 
    if [ -e testFile ] ; then  cat testFile ; fi

alternatively:

read:
    test -r testFile && cat testFile

Answer 2

I ran into the same issue. This should do it:

file:
    @if [ -e scripts/python.exe ] ; then \
    echo TRUE ; \
    fi

Answer 3

Since GNU Make 3.82, you can add .ONESHELL: to the top of the file to tell make to run all the lines within a target in a single shell.

.ONESHELL:
SHELL := /bin/bash

foobar:
    if true
    then
        echo hello there
    fi

See the documentation.

Prepend lines with @ or add the .SILENT: option beneath .ONESHELL: to suppress echoing lines.