Aprenda Packaging Libraries for vcpkg or Conan

When you want others to easily use your C++ library, distributing it through a package manager streamlines the process. Two of the most popular package managers in the C++ world are vcpkg and Conan. Both aim to simplify library installation and dependency management, but they have different approaches and configuration requirements.

vcpkg is a cross-platform package manager primarily developed by Microsoft. It uses a vcpkg.json manifest file to describe your library, its version, dependencies, and build instructions. The manifest must include basic metadata such as the library name, version, description, and any dependencies on other libraries managed by vcpkg.

Conan is another widely-used C++ package manager, notable for its flexibility and support for both binary and source-based distribution. Packaging for Conan typically involves creating a conanfile.py, which is a Python script describing your library, its version, settings, options, dependencies, and build steps. This script can include custom logic for building and packaging your library, making Conan especially powerful for complex projects.

To prepare your library for either system, you need to:

Ensure your project builds cleanly and exports headers and compiled binaries correctly;
Write a configuration file (vcpkg.json or conanfile.py) with accurate metadata and dependency declarations;
Follow the package manager's conventions for file structure and versioning;
Optionally, provide test code or usage examples for downstream users.

Meeting these requirements enables your library to be easily consumed by a wide range of users and integrated into their projects with minimal manual setup.

conanfile.py

vcpkg.json


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from conan import ConanFile

class MyLibraryConan(ConanFile):
    name = "my_library"
    version = "1.0.0"
    license = "MIT"
    author = "Your Name <you@example.com>"
    url = "https://github.com/yourname/my_library"
    description = "A simple example C++ library"
    topics = ("example", "library")
    settings = "os", "compiler", "build_type", "arch"
    exports_sources = "include/*", "src/*", "CMakeLists.txt"
    generators = "CMakeDeps", "CMakeToolchain"
    requires = ()
    def build(self):
        pass
    def package(self):
        self.copy("*.h", dst="include", src="include")
        self.copy("*.a", dst="lib", keep_path=False)
    def package_info(self):
        self.cpp_info.libs = ["my_library"]

Study More

Official vcpkg documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/vcpkg/
Official Conan documentation: https://docs.conan.io/en/latest/

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