Even when i use cargo or go or node, make is still needed to build everything that's not just code.

> make is still needed

You mean: I still need make

For example, build.rs replaces some uses of a makefile.

> build everything that's not just code

Have you heard of: Just, Nix, Bazel, Helm, Terraform?

Depending on the situation, there are many things you can build that aren't strictly code where you can use a bunch of other tools than make.

If you say so. There are plenty of tools that can do more or less the same without having to remember weird bash-isms and pattern expansion rules.

I use `just` for project tasks, but there are many others.

I know there are many others, but make does any job, is very simple (once you have realized that recursive make is not needed for decades), is not tied to a specific environment, had been around for ages and will still be around 20 years from now. I don't think I'm easily satisfied with tools, but I have never had a reason to look for another tool that would solve a problem i don't have.

If you like Makefile, you’ll like Just.