CMake Workflow Overview
When you first set up a C project with CMake, your directory is simple usually just your source files and a CMakeLists.txt file.
# my_project/
# βββ CMakeLists.txt
# βββ main.c
After you run CMake, a new build directory appears. This directory contains all the files CMake generates, such as CMakeCache.txt, the CMakeFiles directory, and platform-specific build files (like a Makefile). Once you build the project, you will also see the compiled executable inside the build directory.
# my_project/
# βββ CMakeLists.txt
# βββ main.c
# βββ build/
# βββ CMakeCache.txt
# βββ CMakeFiles/
# βββ Makefile
# βββ cmake_install.cmake
# βββ main (compiled executable)
Keeping all build artifacts in a separate directory helps you keep your source tree clean and organized.
Each step in the workflow is represented in the CMakeLists.txt file. The cmake_minimum_required and project commands are part of the configuration step, where CMake checks your setup and prepares to generate build files.
# Step 1: Minimum CMake version and project name
cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.10) # (Configure step)
project(MyProject C) # (Configure step)
# Step 2: Add the executable target
add_executable(main main.c) # (Generate step)
# Step 3: Build happens after generation by running your build tool (e.g., make)
# (No direct CMake command in this file for the build step)
The add_executable command is processed during the generation step, where CMake creates the necessary files for your chosen build system. The actual build stepβcompiling your code into an executableβis triggered after generation, using the build system files CMake produced.
Create a CMakeLists.txt file in your project directory. This file will define how CMake should configure and build your project.
Run CMake to configure your project. During this step, CMake checks your setup and prepares for build file generation based on your CMakeLists.txt.
CMake generates build files for your platform, such as a Makefile for Unix systems or a Visual Studio solution for Windows.
Use your platform's build tool (for example, make) to build the project and produce the executable from the generated build files.
This sequence ensures your build environment is always up to date and matches your project's requirements.
Compared to other build systems, CMake stands out because it generates native build files for a wide range of platforms and IDEs from the same CMakeLists.txt. Unlike simple Makefile-based systems, CMake can target Unix Makefiles, Ninja, Visual Studio, and more, letting you build your project on nearly any system without rewriting your build scripts. Its flexibility and portability make it a popular choice for modern C projects.
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When you first set up a C project with CMake, your directory is simple usually just your source files and a CMakeLists.txt file.
# my_project/
# βββ CMakeLists.txt
# βββ main.c
After you run CMake, a new build directory appears. This directory contains all the files CMake generates, such as CMakeCache.txt, the CMakeFiles directory, and platform-specific build files (like a Makefile). Once you build the project, you will also see the compiled executable inside the build directory.
# my_project/
# βββ CMakeLists.txt
# βββ main.c
# βββ build/
# βββ CMakeCache.txt
# βββ CMakeFiles/
# βββ Makefile
# βββ cmake_install.cmake
# βββ main (compiled executable)
Keeping all build artifacts in a separate directory helps you keep your source tree clean and organized.
Each step in the workflow is represented in the CMakeLists.txt file. The cmake_minimum_required and project commands are part of the configuration step, where CMake checks your setup and prepares to generate build files.
# Step 1: Minimum CMake version and project name
cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.10) # (Configure step)
project(MyProject C) # (Configure step)
# Step 2: Add the executable target
add_executable(main main.c) # (Generate step)
# Step 3: Build happens after generation by running your build tool (e.g., make)
# (No direct CMake command in this file for the build step)
The add_executable command is processed during the generation step, where CMake creates the necessary files for your chosen build system. The actual build stepβcompiling your code into an executableβis triggered after generation, using the build system files CMake produced.
Create a CMakeLists.txt file in your project directory. This file will define how CMake should configure and build your project.
Run CMake to configure your project. During this step, CMake checks your setup and prepares for build file generation based on your CMakeLists.txt.
CMake generates build files for your platform, such as a Makefile for Unix systems or a Visual Studio solution for Windows.
Use your platform's build tool (for example, make) to build the project and produce the executable from the generated build files.
This sequence ensures your build environment is always up to date and matches your project's requirements.
Compared to other build systems, CMake stands out because it generates native build files for a wide range of platforms and IDEs from the same CMakeLists.txt. Unlike simple Makefile-based systems, CMake can target Unix Makefiles, Ninja, Visual Studio, and more, letting you build your project on nearly any system without rewriting your build scripts. Its flexibility and portability make it a popular choice for modern C projects.
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