On (info "(make) Instead of Execution") at
‘-n’
‘--just-print’
‘--dry-run’
‘--recon’
"No-op". Causes ‘make’ to print the recipes that are needed to
make the targets up to date, but not actually execute them. Note
that some recipes are still executed, even with this flag (*note
How the ‘MAKE’ Variable Works: MAKE Variable.). Also any recipes
needed to update included makefiles are still executed (*note How
Makefiles Are Remade: Remaking Makefiles.).
also mention that the return value to the shell is apparently always
"success" (0), no matter what.