Summary - Build systems

Combine CMake, find_package and multi-project to set up a project structure.

Summary: setting up a CMake project

In this summary you will combine CMake basics, find_package and multi-project structure. You will set up a root CMakeLists.txt with target definitions in two subdirectories (lib and app). This is the skeleton of real C++ projects.

The root file contains cmake_minimum_required, project and two add_subdirectory calls. find_package finds an external library. The application target links to the library. This structure is both modular and reusable; adding a new subdirectory needs only one add_subdirectory line.

Exercise Write a complete CMake project

Write the root CMakeLists.txt. Add cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20) and project(MyApp). Find the threading library with find_package(Threads REQUIRED). Include two subdirectories with add_subdirectory(lib) and add_subdirectory(app).

Show example solution

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
project(MyApp)
find_package(Threads REQUIRED)
add_subdirectory(lib)
add_subdirectory(app)

Test yourself

What does a multi-project CMake structure provide?
- Faster compilation
- Colored output
- Less memory usage
- Modular and reusable structure
Show answer

Modular and reusable structure — The multi-project layout keeps the library separate and reusable.
Complete the add_subdirectory command
```
____(app)
```
Show answer
```
add_subdirectory(app)
```
Match the command to its role

cmake_minimum_required

Sets version
find_package

Finds a library
add_subdirectory

Adds a subdirectory
add_executable

Defines an executable

Next lesson: Binary serialization

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