How does using a Makefile contribute to automation and build management?

Makefile is a file containing a set of rules for automating build and other tasks in a project. Using a Makefile promotes automation and build management through:

• Defining the sequence of commands for compilation, testing, installation, and other operations.
• Automatically tracking dependencies between files to rebuild only the changed parts.
• Simplifying repetitive tasks by allowing them to be run with a single make command.

For example, in a Python project, a Makefile might include commands for installing dependencies, running tests, and building documentation:

install:
	pip install -r requirements.txt

test:
	pytest tests/

docs:
	sphinx-build docs/ docs/_build

This allows developers to quickly perform standard tasks without needing to remember long commands.