How to Set Up a Basic Cmake Project Step-by-step in May 2025?

Setting up a basic CMake project can seem daunting at first, but with a clear step-by-step guide, you’ll be through the setup process in no time. CMake is a powerful tool for managing project build configurations and it’s widely used in various software development environments. Follow these simple steps to create your first CMake project in 2025.

Step 1: Install CMake

Before starting your project, ensure that you have CMake installed on your system. You can download the latest version from the official CMake website. Follow the installation instructions provided for your Operating System. Verify your installation by typing cmake --version in your terminal to ensure CMake is ready to use.

Step 2: Create Project Directory

Create a new directory for your project. This directory will contain all your source code and build files.

1 2	mkdir MyCMakeProject cd MyCMakeProject

Step 3: Create the Source Code

Inside your project directory, create a simple main.cpp file:

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, CMake!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Step 4: Write the CMakeLists.txt File

In the root of your project directory, create a CMakeLists.txt file. This file will contain the necessary configurations for building your project.

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.22)
project(MyCMakeProject)

set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)

add_executable(MyCMakeProject main.cpp)

Step 5: Build the Project

Create a build directory and run CMake to generate the necessary build files:

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mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..

If everything is configured correctly, CMake will generate build files corresponding to your system’s native build tool.

Step 6: Compile and Run

Compile the code by running the build command:

1	cmake --build .

Once compiled, execute your program:

1	./MyCMakeProject

You should see “Hello, CMake!” output to your terminal.

Step 7: Explore More CMake Features

Once you have your basic project set up, you may want to explore more complex features of CMake such as printing working directories, using macros, handling wildcards during installation, and running custom commands. Check out these tutorials for more in-depth explanations:

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a basic CMake project. CMake is an extremely versatile tool that, once mastered, can greatly increase your efficiency in managing builds. As you grow more comfortable, you can start experimenting with its more advanced features by following the given tutorials.

Happy Coding! “`

By following this guide, you’ve taken the first steps into mastering the setup of CMake for building projects. With continuous exploration and patience, it’s only a matter of time before you become very adept at using CMake!

How to Set Up a Basic Cmake Project Step-by-step in 2025?