How do I create installable packages in CMake for C++?

CMake is a powerful tool that can help you create installable packages for your C++ projects. By using CMake’s built-in commands, you can specify the installation rules, the target locations, and package configurations. This guide will walk you through the process of creating a basic installable package using CMake.

Creating Installable Packages with CMake

To create an installable package, you will typically follow these steps:

  • Define your project and its targets.
  • Specify the installation paths for your binaries and other resources.
  • Optionally, configure package management through CMake’s `CPack` module.

Example CMake Configuration

Here’s a simple example of a CMakeLists.txt file that demonstrates how to set up an installable package:

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.0) project(ExampleProject) add_executable(ExampleExecutable main.cpp) install(TARGETS ExampleExecutable DESTINATION bin) install(FILES example.h DESTINATION include) # CPack configuration to create packages include(CPack)

CMake installable packages C++ CMakeLists.txt CPack configure project