How do I use CMake to configure and build a project?

CMake is a cross-platform tool that automates the build process for software projects. It uses a simple configuration file to generate standard build files, making it easier to manage complex projects across various environments.

Steps to Configure and Build a Project using CMake

  1. Create a CMakeLists.txt file in your project's root directory.
  2. Open your terminal/command prompt and navigate to your project directory.
  3. Create a build directory (this keeps build files separate from source files):
  4. mkdir build cd build
  5. Run CMake to configure your project:
  6. cmake ..
  7. Once configuration is complete, build the project:
  8. make

After running the above commands, your project should be built successfully, and you can find the executable or library generated in the build directory.


CMake Build Process CMakeLists.txt Cross-Platform Software Project Development