Modern CMake for C++

Gain proficiency in CMake and unlock the complete potential of C++ to develop exceptional projects

Key Features:

– Get to grips with CMake and take your C++ development skills to enterprise standards

– Use hands-on exercises and self-assessment questions to lock-in your learning

– Understand how to build in an array of quality checks and tests for robust code

Book Description:

Modern CMake for C++ isn’t just another reference book, or a repackaging of the documentation, but a blueprint to bridging the gap between learning C++ and being able to use it in a professional setting. It’s an end-to-end guide to the automation of complex tasks, including building, testing, and packaging software.

This second edition is updated to the latest version of the CMake tooling suite, featuring three new chapters and an additional appendix dedicated to CMake presets.

In this book, you’ll not only learn how to use the CMake language in CMake projects, but also discover how to make those projects maintainable, elegant, and clean. As you progress, you’ll dive into the structure of source directories, building targets, and packages, all while learning how to compile and link executables and libraries. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how those processes work, and how to optimize builds in CMake for the best results.

You’ll discover how to use external dependencies in your project – third-party libraries, testing frameworks, program analysis tools, and documentation generators. Finally, you’ll gain proficiency in exporting, installing, and packaging for internal and external purposes.

By the end of this book, you’ll be able to use CMake confidently at a professional level.

What You Will Learn:

– Understand best practices for building C++ code

– Gain practical knowledge of the CMake language

– Guarantee code quality with tests and static and dynamic analysis

– Discover how to manage, discover, download, and link dependencies with CMake

– Build solutions that can be reused and maintained in the long term

– Understand how to optimize build artifacts and the build process

– Program modern CMake and manage your build processes

– Acquire expertise in complex subjects like CMake presets and CDash

Who this book is for:

The book is for build engineers and software developers with knowledge of C/C++ programming who are looking to learn CMake to automate the process of building small and large software solutions. If you’re just getting started with CMake, a long-time GNU Make user, or simply looking to brush up on the latest best practices, this book is for you.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: First Steps with CMake

Chapter 2: The CMake Language

Chapter 3: Using CMake in Popular IDEs

Chapter 4: Setting Up Your First CMake Project

Chapter 5: Working with Targets

Chapter 6: Using Generator Expressions

Chapter 7: Compiling C++ Sources with CMake

Chapter 8: Linking Executables and Libraries

Chapter 9: Managing Dependencies in CMake

Chapter 10: Using the C++20 Modules

Chapter 11: Testing Frameworks

Chapter 12: Program Analysis Tools

Chapter 13: Generating Documentation

Chapter 14: Installing and Packaging

Chapter 15: Creating Your Professional Project

Chapter 16: Writing CMake Presets

About the Author

Rafał Świdziński, a seasoned staff engineer at Google, boasts over 12 years of full-stack development expertise. With a track record of spearheading projects for industry giants like Cisco Meraki, Amazon, and Ericsson, he embodies a commitment to innovation. As a Londoner by choice, he remains at the forefront of technological progress, engaging in a myriad of personal ventures. His recent pivot toward AI in healthcare refl ects his dedication to impactful advancements. Rafał values top-notch code quality and craftsmanship, sharing insights through his YouTube channel and published books.