Does using a makefile with avrdude require anything other than an arduino board?

Hi there
I'm new to uploaded to arduino other than through the IDE,
a project someone else has made public involves the use of a makefile (which I believe shortcuts having to type out the commands in avrdude?).
I have a bootloaded arduino uno, do I need a programmer or any other connections and hardware, or can I just connect the arduino to the computer via the usb port?

You can just connect the Arduino through a USB.