Use the Touch column shown in Figure 3.2 to mark files that need compilation. The CodeWarrior IDE does not always recognize file changes and might not automatically re-compile all files in certain situations. In such cases, you can use the Touch column.

You can use one of the following techniques to ensure that the IDE compiles a file:

• Click in the Touch column beside the file name in the Project window's Files view. A check mark appears in the Touch column next to the file name. This check mark indicates that the IDE re-compiles the file during the next build.
• Select the file that you wish to re-compile, then choose the Touch command from the Interface pop-up menu.
• Click the check-mark icon at the top of the Touch column. The IDE touches all files in entire project. The IDE re-synchronizes the state of the files, depending on their modification dates. Use this technique if you modify the files outside of the IDE.

To unmark files so that the IDE does not compile them during the next build, use one of the following techniques:

• Click the check mark that appears in the Touch column to the left of the file name
• Select the file that you wish to unmark, then choose the Untouch command from the Interface pop-up menu.

To update the modification dates stored in your project file, click the check-mark icon at the top of the Touch column. Alternatively, choose Project > Synchronize Modification Dates.

After you click the icon or choose the menu command, the IDE checks the modification date of each file in the project. If the file was modified since it was last compiled, the IDE marks it for re-compilation. This strategy re-synchronizes the state of the files in the project, depending on their modification dates.

Synchronizing modification dates is useful if you modify files outside of the CodeWarrior IDE, perhaps by a third-party editor that does not notify the CodeWarrior IDE after modifying a file.