CMake Tutorial

Simple tutorial for CMake and C++.

Getting Started

Following this tutorial here: CMake Tutorial - CMake 3.25.1 Documentation

1. Create a new folder and navigate inside: my-cpp-project
2. Create a new file called main.cpp and add a simple Hello World script:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    cout << "Hello World!";
    return 0;
}

3. Create a new file called CMakeLists.txt:

# Set a minimum version of CMake
cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.10)

# Name your project (no spaces)
# Version is optional
project(MyCppProject VERSION 1.0)

# Create an executable for your project
add_executable(MyCppProject main.cpp)

4. Create a build folder and navigate inside.
5. Generate a native build system for the project: cmake ../
   • This will default to whatever build system you have installed, like Visual Studio.
   • You could also run cmake ../ -A x64 and get a Visual Studio solution
6. Now you can run the build: cmake --build .
   • You could also open the .sln file and run Build Solution for the same result.
7. Your .exe should be available in build\Debug\
8. Ideally you should make a .gitignore and add build to it.

Set C++ version

Sets version to C++ 20:

set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 20)
set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED True)