Including boost libraries in make files

I'm learning Boost and am having trouble with my makes files. Here is my basic makefile: ``` accesstimer: acctime.o btimer.o g++ acctime.o btimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: acctime.cpp btimer.h g++ -c acctime.cpp bentimer.o: btimer.cpp btimer.h g++ -c btimer.cpp ``` When acctime.cpp has no boost filesystem elements in it this m,ake file works fine. As soon as I add boost filesystem elements I obviously need to make references to the boost libray in the make file this is where I am having issues. The following line works for a single file compilation: ``` g++ -I /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0 boosttest1.cpp -o bt1 /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_system-gcc41-mt.a ``` Now I'm trying to integrate this into the make file. I've tried many based on what information I can find on the web but none are working this is my latest: ``` accesstimer: acctime.o bentimer.o g++ acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: acctime.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c -I /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0 acctime.cpp /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_system-gcc41-mt.a bentimer.o: bentimer.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c bentimer.cpp ``` Unfortunately it stlill can't find the Boost libraries, can anyone help? thanks Having read the advice of the people who've answered I've now got this: ``` accesstimer: acctime.o bentimer.o g++ -L /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0 acctime.o /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_system-gcc41-mt.a bentimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: acctime.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c acctime.cpp bentimer.o: bentimer.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c bentimer.cpp ``` But this still fails to link. This is the error message I'm getting: ``` g++ -L /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_system-gcc41-mt.a acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: In function boost::enable_if<boost::filesystem::is_basic_path<boost::filesystem::basic_path<std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >, boost::filesystem::path_traits> >, bool>::type boost::filesystem::exists<boost::filesystem::basic_path<std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >, boost::filesystem::path_traits> >(boost::filesystem::basic_path<std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >, boost::filesystem::path_traits> const&)': acctime.cpp:(.text._ZN5boost10filesystem6existsINS0_10basic_pathISsNS0_11path_traitsEEEEENS_9enable_ifINS0_13is_basic_pathIT_EEbE4typeERKS7_[boost::enable_if<boost::filesystem::is_basic_path<boost::filesystem::basic_path<std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >, boost::filesystem::path_traits> >, bool>::type boost::filesystem::exists<boost::filesystem::basic_path<std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >, boost::filesystem::path_traits> >(boost::filesystem::basic_path<std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >, boost::filesystem::path_traits> const&)]+0x26): undefined reference to `boost::filesystem::detail::status_api(std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> > const&, int&)' collect2: ld returned 1 exit status make: *** [accesstimer] Error 1 ``` Following orsogufo's advice (thanks! much appreciated) now have this: ``` accesstimer: acctime.o bentimer.o g++ -L/usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib -llibboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a -llibboost_system-gcc41-mt.a acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: acctime.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c acctime.cpp bentimer.o: bentimer.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c bentimer.cpp ``` Looking better, but still can't quite find the library: ``` g++ -L/usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib -llibboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a -llibboost_system-gcc41-mt.a acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer /usr/bin/ld: cannot find -llibboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a collect2: ld returned 1 exit status make: *** [accesstimer] Error 1 ``` I've double checked that location and the library is definately at: /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/libboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt.a STill no joy, usimg this now: ``` accesstimer: acctime.o bentimer.o g++ -L/usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0 -lboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: acctime.cpp bentimer.h g++ -I /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0 -c acctime.cpp bentimer.o: bentimer.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c bentimer.cpp ``` Getting: ``` g++ -L/usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib/ -llibboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer /usr/bin/ld: cannot find -llibboost_filesystem-gcc41-mt collect2: ld returned 1 exit status make: *** [accesstimer] Error 1 ``` It's working with this: ``` accesstimer: acctime.o bentimer.o g++ -L/usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0/stage/lib -lboost_filesystem acctime.o bentimer.o -o accesstimer acctime.o: acctime.cpp bentimer.h g++ -I /usr/local/boost/boost_1_39_0 -c acctime.cpp bentimer.o: bentimer.cpp bentimer.h g++ -c bentimer.cpp ``` Thanks for all your help