Modern CMake for C++, 2nd Edition (Early Access)

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
First steps with CMake
CMake Language
Setting up your first CMake project
Using CMake in popular IDEs
Working with Targets
Utilizing Generator Expressions
Compiling C++ sources with CMake
Linking with CMake
Managing Dependencies in CMake
Enabling experimental support for C++20 modules
Testing Frameworks
Program Analysis Tools
Generating Documentation
Installing and Packaging
Creating your Professional Project
Using CDash for advanced scenarios
Appendix