How Do I Use A Make File Or Compile The Source Codes For Open Source Software?

A makefile is not a source file. However, it assists you in compiling the provided source files into binaries. Makefiles allow you just type “make” or “makeall” at the command prompt to compile some code which in the easiest case can be something like:
gcc -o binaryname sourcefile
Instead of typing the above at the command prompt, you can simply include that in the makefile and package it along with the source codes so that other users can simply compile the code without knowing the contents of a makefile.

if you are using Linux, which you should be, use your package manager, which you should have, to get make
then all you have to do is ./configure on the source (with appropriate modifiers) then “make install” on it. Otherwise you need a compiler that can compile that type of source.