Scribd
Upload
115 views34 pages

CMake Tutorial for Beginners

This document provides an introduction to CMake and how it can be used for building ILC software projects. It describes the basic concepts of CMake including how it generates native build files from CMakeLists.txt files and handles in-source and out-of-source builds. It also covers common CMake commands and variables as well as macros that have been developed for building ILC software projects in a standardized way.

Uploaded by

Vinod Karuvat
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
115 views34 pages

CMake Tutorial for Beginners

This document provides an introduction to CMake and how it can be used for building ILC software projects. It describes the basic concepts of CMake including how it generates native build files from CMakeLists.txt files and handles in-source and out-of-source builds. It also covers common CMake commands and variables as well as macros that have been developed for building ILC software projects in a standardized way.

Uploaded by

Vinod Karuvat
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CMake Tutorial

1 Introduction to CMake 2 Using CMake for the ILC Software 3 ILCInstall with CMake

Jan Engels
DESY 20th September 2007

What is CMake

CMake:

Generates native build environments


UNIX/Linux -> Makefiles Windows -> VS Projects/Workspaces Apple -> Xcode

Open-Source :) Cross-Platform

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

CMake Features

CMake has a lot of nice features:


Manage complex, large build environments (KDE4) Very Flexible & Extensible

Support for Macros Modules for finding/configuring software (bunch of modules already available) Extend CMake for new platforms and languages Create custom targets/commands Run external programs

Very simple, intuitive syntax Support for regular expressions (*nix style) Support for In-Source and Out-of-Source builds Cross Compiling Integrated Testing & Packaging (Ctest, CPack)
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 3

Build-System Generator

[Link]

CMake

Native Build System

Executables / Libraries

Native Build Tools

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

CMake Basic Concepts

[Link]

Input text files that contain the project parameters and describe the flow control of the build process in simple CMake language. Special cmake file written for the purpose of finding a certain piece of software and to set it's libraries, include files and definitions into appropriate variables so that they can be used in the build process of another project. (e.g. [Link], [Link], [Link])

CMake Modules

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

CMake Basic Concepts

The Source Tree contains:


CMake input files ([Link]) Program source files ([Link]) Program header files (hello.h)

The Binary Tree contains:


Native build system files (Makefiles) Output from build process:

Libraries Executables Any other build generated file

Source and Binary trees may be:


In the same directory (in-source build) In different directories (out-of-source build)

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

CMake Basic Concepts

CMAKE_MODULE_PATH

Path to where the CMake modules are located

CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX

Where to put files when calling 'make install'

CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE

Type of build (Debug, Release, ...)

BUILD_SHARED_LIBS

Switch between shared and static libraries

Variables can be changed directly in the build files ([Link]) or through the command line by prefixing a variable's name with '-D':

cmake -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF

GUI also available: ccmake


Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 7

CMake Cache
Created in the build tree ([Link]) Contains Entries VAR:TYPE=VALUE Populated/Updated during configuration phase Speeds up build process Can be initialized with cmake -C <file> GUI can be used to change values There should be no need to edit it manually!!

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

Source Tree Structure


Dir3/[Link] Dir1/[Link] SUBDIRS(Dir3 Dir4) Project's Top-Level [Link] SUBDIRS(Dir1 Dir2) Dir2/[Link] Dir4/[Link]

Subdirectories added with SUBDIRS/ADD_SUBDIRECTORY Child inherits from parent (feature that is lacking in traditional Makefiles) Order of processing: Dir1;Dir3;Dir4;Dir2 (When CMake finds a SUBDIR command it stops processing the current file immediately and goes down the tree branch)

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

Using CMake

Create a build directory (out-of-source-build concept)

mkdir build ; cd build cmake [options] <source_tree> make make install


Similar to Auto Tools

Configure the package for your system:

Build the package:

Install it:

The last 2 steps can be merged into one (just make install)

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

10

Hello World for CMake

Top-level project directory:


[Link] Sub-directory Hello:

/*hello.h*/ #ifndef _hello_h #define _hello_h class Hello { public: void Print(); }; #endif

[Link] hello.h [Link] [Link] [Link]

/*[Link]*/ #include "hello.h" #include <iostream> using namespace std; void Hello::Print() { cout<<"Hello, World!<<endl; }

Sub-directory Test:

Library Hello
/*[Link]*/ #include <iostream> #include "hello.h" int main() { Hello().Print(); return 0; }

Test Binary
11

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

Hello World for CMake


# Top-Level [Link] PROJECT( HELLO ) ADD_SUBDIRECTORY( Hello ) ADD_SUBDIRECTORY( Test ) # [Link] in Hello dir # Adds a library called Hello (libHello.a under Linux) from the source file [Link] ADD_LIBRARY( Hello hello )

# [Link] in Test dir # Make sure the compiler can find include files from our Hello library. INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES(${HELLO_SOURCE_DIR}/Hello) # Add binary called "helloWorld" that is built from the source file "[Link]". # The extension is automatically found. ADD_EXECUTABLE(helloWorld test) # Link the executable to the Hello library. TARGET_LINK_LIBRARIES(helloWorld Hello)

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

12

[Link] Files

Very simple syntax:


# This is a comment Commands syntax: COMMAND( arg1 arg2 ... ) Lists A;B;C # semi-colon separated values Variables ${VAR} Conditional constructs

IF() ... ELSE()/ELSEIF() ... ENDIF()

Very useful: IF( APPLE ); IF( UNIX ); IF( WIN32 )

WHILE() ... ENDWHILE() FOREACH() ... ENDFOREACH()

Regular expressions (check CMake FAQ for details...)


Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 13

[Link] Files

INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES( dir1 dir2 ... ) AUX_SOURCE_DIRECTORY( source ) ADD_EXECUTABLE ADD_LIBRARY ADD_CUSTOM_TARGET ADD_DEPENDENCIES( target1 t2 t3 ) target1 depends on t2 and t3 ADD_DEFINITIONS( -Wall -ansi -pedantic) TARGET_LINK_LIBRARIES( target-name lib1 lib2 ...) Individual settings for each target LINK_LIBRARIES( lib1 lib2 ...) All targets link with the same set of libs SET_TARGET_PROPERTIES( ... ) lots of properties... OUTPUT_NAME, VERSION, .... MESSAGE( STATUS|FATAL_ERROR message ) INSTALL( FILES f1 f2 f3 DESTINATION . )

Check [Link] -> Documentation

DESTINATION relative to ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}


Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 14

[Link] Files

SET( VAR value [CACHE TYPE DOCSTRING [FORCE]]) LIST( APPEND|INSERT|LENGTH|GET|REMOVE_ITEM|REMOVE_AT|SORT ...) STRING( TOUPPER|TOLOWER|LENGTH|SUBSTRING|REPLACE|REGEX ...) SEPARATE_ARGUMENTS( VAR ) convert space separated string to list FILE( WRITE|READ|APPEND|GLOB|GLOB_RECURSE|REMOVE|MAKE_DIRECTORY ...) FIND_FILE FIND_LIBRARY FIND_PROGRAM FIND_PACKAGE EXEC_PROGRAM( bin [work_dir] ARGS <..> [OUTPUT_VARIABLE var] [RETURN_VALUE var] ) OPTION( OPTION_VAR description string [initial value] )

Check [Link] -> Documentation

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

15

CMake Tutorial

2 Using CMake for the ILC Software

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

16

CMake for the ILC Software

IMPORTANT:

CMake files for the ILC Software were designed, written and tested exclusively for out-ofsource builds, therefore we strongly disencourage in-source builds!! A package should be installed first (with 'make install') before it can be used by other packages, thus we also strongly disencourage trying to pass the binary-tree from one package as the installation directory to other packages.

Packages with CMake (build) support:

Marlin, MarlinUtil, MarlinReco, CEDViewer, CED, LCIO, GEAR, LCCD, RAIDA, PandoraPFA, LCFIVertex, SiliconDigi, Eutelescope

CMake modules written for external packages:

CLHEP, CERNLIB, CondDBMySQL, GSL, ROOT, JAVA, AIDAJNI

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

17

Special variables

BUILD_WITH=CLHEP GSL

Tell package to use the libraries, include files and definitions from these packages Variable for defining the home path from a pkg

<PKG>_HOME

Standard CMake Find modules differ slightly from ILC Find modules

ILC Find modules require PKG_HOME variable set Enforce version consistency (get rid of setting global environment variables for defining local dependencies) Could instead be called Config<PKG>.cmake

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

18

Macros

[Link]

To be able to use a package by using a Find<PKG>.cmake module or by using a <PKG>[Link] file Assumes the PKG_HOME variable is properly set Uses [Link] to check dependencies

[Link]

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

19

Find<PKG>.cmake Modules

Do the same as <PKG>[Link] generated by the cmake build Returns variables for using the package

<PKG>_INCLUDE_DIRS <PKG>_LIBRARIES <PKG>_DEFINITIONS

Using the MacroLoadPackage this is automatically done for you

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

20

[Link]
Script for pre-caching variables/options

SET( VAR value CACHE TYPE description FORCE )

Easy way to change build parameters without having to pass the every time on the cmd line Use simple steps to build a package:

mkdir build ; cd build cmake -C ../[Link] .. make install

Still possible to override options on the cmd line

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

21

[Link]
Can use more than one -C option:

cmake -C ../[Link] -C ~/[Link] Next file overwrites values from previous file Useful for overwriting paths defined in a 'more global' file

CMake just ignores redundant variables from global file ILCInstall generates a global file called [Link]

Check /afs/[Link]/group/it/ilcsoft/v01-01/[Link] as an example

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

22

Adapting your processor to CMake

Copy from $Marlin/examples/mymarlin

[Link]

change the project name and add missing dependencies (default are Marlin;LCIO) rename to <MyProcessor>[Link] change this according to your system setup Script for generating a 'make uninstall' target

[Link]

[Link]

cmake_uninstall.[Link]

No changes needed!
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 23

[Link] template
# cmake file for building Marlin example Package # CMake compatibility issues: don't modify this, please! CMAKE_MINIMUM_REQUIRED( VERSION 2.4.6 ) MARK_AS_ADVANCED(CMAKE_BACKWARDS_COMPATIBILITY) # allow more human readable "if then else" constructs SET( CMAKE_ALLOW_LOOSE_LOOP_CONSTRUCTS TRUE ) # User section PROJECT( mymarlin ) # project version SET( ${PROJECT_NAME}_MAJOR_VERSION 0 ) SET( ${PROJECT_NAME}_MINOR_VERSION 1 ) SET( ${PROJECT_NAME}_PATCH_LEVEL 0 )

# project options OPTION( BUILD_SHARED_LIBS "Set to OFF to build static libraries" ON ) OPTION( INSTALL_DOC "Set to OFF to skip build/install Documentation" ON ) # project dependencies e.g. SET( ${PROJECT_NAME}_DEPENDS "Marlin MarlinUtil LCIO GEAR CLHEP GSL" ) SET( ${PROJECT_NAME}_DEPENDS "Marlin LCIO" ) # set default cmake build type to RelWithDebInfo (None Debug Release RelWithDebInfo MinSizeRel) IF( NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE ) SET( CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "RelWithDebInfo" ) ENDIF() # set default install prefix to project root directory IF( CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX STREQUAL "/usr/local" ) SET( CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}" ) ENDIF()

You can add here your own options, but don't forget at the end of the file to display them with a MESSAGE( STATUS) and to also write them properly to cache!

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

24

[Link] template
#include directories INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES( "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/include" ) # install include files INSTALL( DIRECTORY "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/include" DESTINATION . PATTERN "*~" EXCLUDE PATTERN "*CVS*" EXCLUDE ) # require proper c++ ADD_DEFINITIONS( "-Wall -ansi -pedantic" ) # add debug definitions #IF( CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE STREQUAL "Debug" OR # CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE STREQUAL "RelWithDebInfo" ) # ADD_DEFINITIONS( "-DDEBUG" ) #ENDIF() # get list of all source files AUX_SOURCE_DIRECTORY( src library_sources ) ( .... )

Include directories here

Add your Debug definitions here!

If you have more sources you should add them here (see for ex. LCFIVertex [Link])

# DEPENDENCIES: this code has to be placed before adding any library or # executable so that these are linked properly against the dependencies IF( DEFINED ${PROJECT_NAME}_DEPENDS OR DEFINED BUILD_WITH OR DEFINED LINK_WITH ) # load macro IF( NOT EXISTS "${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}/[Link]" ) MESSAGE( FATAL_ERROR Dependencies are "\nSorry, could not find [Link]...\n" checked here! "Please set CMAKE_MODULE_PATH correctly with: " "cmake -DCMAKE_MODULE_PATH=<path_to_cmake_modules>" ) ENDIF() INCLUDE( "${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}/[Link]" ) CHECK_DEPS() ENDIF()

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

25

[Link] template
# LIBRARY ADD_LIBRARY( lib_${PROJECT_NAME} ${library_sources} ) # create symbolic lib target for calling target lib_XXX ADD_CUSTOM_TARGET( lib DEPENDS lib_${PROJECT_NAME} ) # change lib_target properties SET_TARGET_PROPERTIES( lib_${PROJECT_NAME} PROPERTIES # create *nix style library versions + symbolic links VERSION ${${PROJECT_NAME}_VERSION} SOVERSION ${${PROJECT_NAME}_SOVERSION} # allow creating static and shared libs without conflicts CLEAN_DIRECT_OUTPUT 1 # avoid conflicts between library and binary target names OUTPUT_NAME ${PROJECT_NAME} ) # install library INSTALL( TARGETS lib_${PROJECT_NAME} DESTINATION lib PERMISSIONS OWNER_READ OWNER_WRITE OWNER_EXECUTE GROUP_READ GROUP_EXECUTE WORLD_READ WORLD_EXECUTE ) # create uninstall configuration file CONFIGURE_FILE( "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake_uninstall.[Link]" "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_uninstall.cmake" IMMEDIATE @ONLY ) # create uninstall target ADD_CUSTOM_TARGET( uninstall "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -P "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_uninstall.cmake" ) # create configuration file from .in file CONFIGURE_FILE( "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/${PROJECT_NAME}[Link]" "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/${PROJECT_NAME}[Link]" @ONLY ) # install configuration file INSTALL( FILES "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/${PROJECT_NAME}[Link]" DESTINATION . )

Library

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

26

[Link] template
# display status message for important variables MESSAGE( STATUS ) MESSAGE( STATUS "-------------------------------------------------------------------------------" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "BUILD_SHARED_LIBS = ${BUILD_SHARED_LIBS}" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX = ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE = ${CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE}" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "CMAKE_MODULE_PATH = ${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "${PROJECT_NAME}_DEPENDS = \"${${PROJECT_NAME}_DEPENDS}\"" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "BUILD_WITH = \"${BUILD_WITH}\"" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "INSTALL_DOC = ${INSTALL_DOC}" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "Change a value with: cmake -D<Variable>=<Value>" ) MESSAGE( STATUS "-------------------------------------------------------------------------------" ) MESSAGE( STATUS )

Here you can display your own project options

# force some variables that could be defined in the command line to be written to cache And here you should also add SET( BUILD_SHARED_LIBS "${BUILD_SHARED_LIBS}" CACHE BOOL your own project options to be "Set to OFF to build static libraries" FORCE ) SET( CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}" CACHE PATH properly written to cache! "Where to install ${PROJECT_NAME}" FORCE ) SET( CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "${CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE}" CACHE STRING "Choose the type of build, options are: None Debug Release RelWithDebInfo MinSizeRel." FORCE ) SET( CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}" CACHE PATH "Path to custom CMake Modules" FORCE ) SET( INSTALL_DOC "${INSTALL_DOC}" CACHE BOOL "Set to OFF to skip build/install Documentation" FORCE ) # export build settings INCLUDE( CMakeExportBuildSettings ) CMAKE_EXPORT_BUILD_SETTINGS( "${PROJECT_NAME}[Link]" ) # export library dependencies (keep this as the last line in the file) EXPORT_LIBRARY_DEPENDENCIES( "${PROJECT_NAME}[Link]" )

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

27

Loading Processors in Marlin

MARLIN_DLL environment variable


$ export MARLIN_DLL=/path1/[Link]:/path2/[Link]:$MARLIN_DLL $ ./Marlin [Link] Using ILCInstall this information is already added to the generated file build_env.sh for the processors found in the config file

Linking Marlin with other shared libraries

Add to your Marlin [Link]

SET( LINK_WITH "MarlinReco CEDViewer CACHE STRING Link Marlin with these optional packages" FORCE ) $ cmake -C ../[Link]

Or pass it on the command line:

-DLINK_WITH="mymarlin PandoraPFA" -Dmymarlin_HOME="path_to_mymarlin -DPandoraPFA_HOME="path_to_pandora" ..

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

28

Loading Processors in Marlin

Linking static libraries (Only works under linux!)


-DLINK_STATIC_WHOLE_LIBS="path_to_library/libMyprocessor.a" Library gets fully included into the Marlin binary For more than one library:

-DLINK_STATIC_WHOLE_LIBS="/path1/lib1.a;/path2/lib2.a"

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

29

CMake Tutorial

3 ILCInstall with cmake

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

30

ILCInstall
ilcsoft = ILCSoft("/data/ilcsoft") [Link] = True # python variable for referring the ILC Home directory ilcPath = "/afs/[Link]/group/it/ilcsoft/" CMake variables to be passed on the cmd line when building RAIDA

# install RAIDA v01-03 [Link]( RAIDA( "v01-03" )) # example for setting cmake variables (ON/OFF is equivalent to 1/0) [Link]( RAIDA ).envcmake[BUILD_RAIDA_EXAMPLE] = ON [Link]( RAIDA ).envcmake[RAIDA_DEBUG_VERBOSE_FACTORY] = 1 # use ROOT at: /afs/[Link]/group/it/ilcsoft/root/5.08.00 [Link]( ROOT( ilcPath + "root/5.08.00" )) # use CMakeModules at: /afs/[Link]/group/it/ilcsoft/CMakeModules/v01-00 [Link]( CMakeModules( ilcPath + "CMakeModules/v01-00" )) # use CMake at: /afs/[Link]/group/it/ilcsoft/CMake/2.4.6 [Link]( CMake( ilcPath + "CMake/2.4.6" )) # End of configuration file

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

31

ILCInstall

After creating the file call:


ilcsoft-install [Link] (display summary) ilcsoft-install [Link] -i (install RAIDA)

[Link] is generated by installation script


Placed in the root directory of installation Contains paths for all packages defined in cfg file

Only the ones that are supported by the cmake modules!

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

32

ILCInstall (Dev)

Under the directory releases you find the AFS reference-installation configuration files

Copy one of them:

Only install packages you want to work on


[Link]("RAIDA").[Link]="ccvssh" [Link]("RAIDA").[Link]="engels" [Link]( ROOT( "/data/myILCSoftware/root/5.08.00" ))


[Link](RAIDA).envcmake[BUILD_RAIDA_EXAMPLE] = 1 [Link](RAIDA).envcmake[RAIDA_DEBUG_VERBOSE_FAC TORY] = 1
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 33

Change the package dependencies install -> link

Set needed options


References

[Link] -> General Documentation -> How to use the CMake building tool for the ILC Software [Link]

Documentation FAQ

Mastering CMake

Ken Martin, Bill Hoffman Published by Kitware, Inc. ISBN: 1-930934-16-5

This talk: [Link] -> General Documentation

Thank you!

Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake

34

Common questions

Powered by AI

CMake commands like ADD_EXECUTABLE and ADD_LIBRARY streamline project configuration by automating build processes that would otherwise require manual intervention. ADD_EXECUTABLE creates an executable target from specified source files, automatically resolving file dependencies and extensions. ADD_LIBRARY similarly generates library targets, organizing the linking process and path settings seamlessly . These commands allow for a modular, declarative approach to project configuration, contrasting with traditional systems where developers manually write complex scripts to handle dependencies, file paths, and compilation rules. This reduces error propensity, enhances consistency, and improves reusability across projects .

CMake offers significant advantages as a cross-platform build management tool. It generates native build environments across various platforms: Makefiles for UNIX/Linux, Visual Studio Projects/Workspaces for Windows, and Xcode for Apple. CMake's flexibility and extensibility are crucial advantages, with support for macros and modules that aid in finding and configuring software. It also supports creating custom targets, running external programs, and has a simple, intuitive syntax . Compared to traditional build systems like Makefiles, CMake can manage complex and large build environments more efficiently and supports features like integrated testing and packaging, cross-compiling, and both in-source and out-of-source builds . Traditional Makefiles lack the child-to-parent inheritance and platform flexibility that CMake provides .

CMake modules like MacroCheckDeps.cmake significantly enhance dependency management for complex software projects by providing automated mechanisms to check and manage software dependencies. This module performs tasks such as ensuring that required dependencies are available before the build process proceeds . It relies on the existence of specific macro definitions like those provided by MacroLoadPackage.cmake to verify that all necessary libraries and include files are properly set up, avoiding manual tracking of dependencies . This automation reduces configuration errors, increases reproducibility, and simplifies maintenance by eliminating the need for extensive manual intervention that traditional systems would otherwise require .

CMake utilizes source and binary tree structures to organize build environments. The source tree contains input files like CMakeLists.txt, program source files, and header files, while the binary tree holds native build system files such as Makefiles, libraries, and executables generated during the build process . The advantage of out-of-source builds in CMake is that it keeps the source directory clean, as all generated files end up in the separate binary directory. This separation offers cleaner project organization, easier cleanup, and reduced risk of source file modification or deletion errors .

Using the GUI feature of CMake, such as ccmake, to configure build processes offers several benefits and limitations. Benefits include providing a more intuitive and accessible interface for users who might not be familiar with command-line operations, allowing easier navigation and adjustment of configuration parameters visually . Additionally, it simplifies the process of reviewing current configuration settings without executing multiple command-line queries. However, one limitation is that GUI interactions can be slower for experienced developers who are more efficient with keyboard-based navigation. Moreover, GUI tools might not support advanced scripting and automation that command-line interfaces facilitate, restricting batch operations and integration within larger automated build scripts .

The modular capabilities of CMake, such as SUBDIRS and ADD_SUBDIRECTORY, significantly contribute to software design in cross-platform development environments by enabling hierarchical organization and modular complexity management. These commands allow developers to break down large projects into smaller, manageable subdirectories, each capable of independent configuration and compilation . By structuring projects hierarchically, CMake enhances reusability and coherence across different levels of project architecture. The independence of modules aids in targeting different environments and platforms, hence fostering truly cross-platform development. Moreover, it supports gradual compilation of project components based on a dependency hierarchy, streamlining both the build process and maintenance, especially in complex software systems that need to be adaptable to multiple operating systems .

The integrated testing and packaging features of CMake, particularly through tools like CTest and CPack, provide substantial advantages when managing large-scale software projects. They offer a unified and streamlined process for performing automated testing and generating distributable packages directly from the build configuration. This integration minimizes the need for third-party tools and scripts, reducing complexity and maintenance overhead . It also ensures consistency between testing environments and final production builds, as configurations are shared across testing and packaging stages. Furthermore, by embedding testing and packaging into the build process, CMake helps enforce adherence to build quality standards and enables continuous integration workflows, crucial for large-scale projects where reliability and efficiency are priorities .

CMake variables such as CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE and CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX play crucial roles in influencing build configurations. CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE allows developers to specify the type of build (e.g., Debug, Release), which dictates what optimizations are included in the compilation process and the presence of debugging information . CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX determines the target directory where built files are installed using 'make install', offering flexibility in choosing custom installation directories . These variables enable developers to customize the build setup easily through the command line or directly in CMakeLists.txt, facilitating both localized testing and production deployments efficiently .

CMake's support for regular expressions plays a pivotal role in enhancing its flexibility compared to traditional build systems. Regular expressions in CMake are instrumental in handling dynamic file and configuration scenarios, enabling more complex matching, searching, and replacement tasks within build scripts . This capability is particularly useful for projects requiring pattern-based file operations, such as locating files matching specific criteria across large and diverse source trees. Traditional build systems like Make often lack built-in regular expression support, necessitating additional scripts or tools to achieve similar functionality, which can complicate the build process and introduce additional maintenance burdens. CMake's integrated regular expression capabilities thus simplify configurations and enhance adaptability in managing complex builds across varying environments .

Executing an out-of-source build as opposed to an in-source build offers significant advantages in project management concerning long-term maintainability and ease of use. Out-of-source builds separate build artifacts from source code, ensuring the source directory remains clean and unaltered by build processes. This reduces the risk of unwanted file modifications and facilitates easier version control by not cluttering the source tree with temporary files . From a maintainability standpoint, it enhances project portability, simplifies cleanup, and mitigates the risk of accidental deletions affecting source files. On the other hand, in-source builds merge build and source directories, complicating clean operations, increasing the risk of mixing build and source files, and making it harder to maintain a pristine codebase, which is crucial in long-term project evolution .

CMake Tutorial ●1 – Introduction to CMake ●2 – Using CMake for the ILC Software ●3 – ILCInstall with CMake Jan Engels DESY 20
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 2 What is CMake ●CMake: – Generates native build environments ●UNIX/Linux -> Makefiles ●Wi
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 3 CMake Features ● CMake has a lot of nice features: – Manage complex, large build environ
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 4 Build-System Generator CMake Native Build System Native Build Tools Executables / Librar
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 5 CMake Basic Concepts ●CmakeLists.txt – Input text files that contain the project paramet
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 6 CMake Basic Concepts ● The Source Tree contains: – CMake input files (CmakeLists.txt) –
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 7 CMake Basic Concepts ● CMAKE_MODULE_PATH – Path to where the CMake modules are located ●
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 8 CMake Cache ●Created in the build tree (CMakeCache.txt) ●Contains Entries VAR:TYPE=VALUE
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 9 Source Tree Structure Dir1/CMakeLists.txt SUBDIRS(Dir3 Dir4) Dir2/CMakeLists.txt Project
Jan Engels - Introduction to CMake 10 Using CMake ● Create a build directory (“out-of-source-build” concept) – mkdir build ;

You might also like