How to CMake Good

CMake is an essential tool for software developers as it simplifies the build process and manages the dependencies of a project. However, using CMake effectively can be challenging, and developers often encounter difficulties with writing and maintaining their build scripts. This is where the "How to CMake Good" course comes in, providing an in-depth understanding of CMake, enabling developers to write efficient, maintainable, and portable build scripts. The course begins by introducing the basics of CMake, including the syntax and structure of a CMake script. This foundational knowledge is essential for developers to understand how CMake works and how they can use it to manage their projects. The course then dives into more advanced topics such as building libraries, setting up testing frameworks, and integrating third-party libraries. Throughout the course, developers will learn how to create modular, scalable, and portable CMake scripts that are easy to maintain and extend. One of the main objectives of the course is to teach developers how to write efficient and optimized CMake scripts. By leveraging the full potential of CMake, developers can reduce build times, avoid unnecessary recompilations, and streamline the build process. The course covers topics such as compiler flags, linker options, and build configurations, providing developers with the necessary tools to optimize their build scripts. Another key aspect of the course is teaching developers how to manage dependencies effectively. CMake allows developers to specify dependencies and automatically download and install them during the build process. However, managing dependencies can be challenging, particularly when dealing with complex projects with multiple dependencies. The course covers topics such as versioning, dependency resolution, and packaging, providing developers with the knowledge and tools to manage dependencies effectively. Throughout the course, developers will also learn how to write platform-agnostic scripts. This is particularly important in today's software development landscape, where cross-platform development is becoming increasingly common. The course covers topics such as platform detection, conditional compilation, and target properties, enabling developers to write scripts that can be used on multiple platforms. In summary, this course provides developers with a comprehensive understanding and the tools and techniques necessary to write efficient, maintainable, and portable build scripts. The course is designed for developers of all levels, from beginners to advanced users, and provides practical examples and exercises to reinforce the concepts taught in the course. Author: vector-of-bool (YouTube)