Wireshark currently uses four build systems: GNU Autotools, CMake, and nmake (which in turn depends on QMake). In order to preserve sanity and reduce development friction it would be nice if we could remove the last two.
Toward that end I have a pending change at https://code.wireshark.org/review/#/c/14591/ which generates an error if you try to build using nmake. You can disable the error by setting YES_I_KNOW_ABOUT_THE_DEPRECATION, either on the command line or in config.nmake. I plan on submitting it on Friday. I also plan on removing the remaining nmake steps from the master and master-2.0 buildbots some time today.
The next step will be the removal of the various Makefile.nmakes and related files from Git. This is tentatively planned for some time in June, either immediately before or after Sharkfest in order to give people plenty of time to migrate to CMake. Note that the master-2.2 branch will likely not include nmake support from its inception.
If you're still using nmake you should definitely plan on migrating to CMake by June. The Developer's Guide has been updated to include instructions for CMake:
https://www.wireshark.org/docs/wsdg_html_chunked/ChSetupWin32.html
If you run into any issues don't hesitate to send a message to wireshark-dev or post a question on ask.wireshark.org. Many of us will also be at Sharkfest and should be able to help in person.
