A build target is a set of rules and settings that you configure to produce an output file, such as an application or library.

The CodeWarrior IDE has the capability to build different kinds of output files, or build targets, from one project file, as shown in Figure 3.5. For example, you can manage two separate build targets in a single project, one for debugging purposes, and the other for your finalized code.

You can also define a specific build order for the various build targets in a project, so that the IDE builds a particular build target before building another. This process is useful for sharing resource files among other build targets. You can configure the IDE to handle build-target dependencies, such as processing a build target required by another build target.

Each build target in the project can have its own distinct set of build settings. The project file and project folder organize these settings.

To learn more about developing build targets for a particular platform, see "Targeting Documentation" and "Strategy for Creating Complex Projects".