cook is a utility that automates the process of converting files from one form to another, doing dependency tracking and invoking external programs to do additional work as needed. It was created as an alternative to make. It has syntax and semantics similar to that of the C programming language. It is particularly useful when it is necessary to invoke applications which have unconventional command line syntax or perform unexpected side effects. Rather than a “Makefile,” it uses a “recipe” file in keeping with the cooking-oriented metaphor.