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Modern CMake for C++

Gain insights into using CMake in C++ projects. Learn about building, testing, and packaging automation, optimizing compilation processes, and making informed tool choices for effective project configuration.

Beginner

120 Lessons

37h

Certificate of Completion

AI-POWERED

Explanations

AI-POWERED

Explanations

This course includes

1 Assessment

88 Playgrounds

11 Quizzes

Course Overview

What You'll Learn

Course Content

Recommendations

Course Overview

Creating production-ready software is not a trivial task. A common issue developers face is the lack of coherent guidelines to build effective and elegant solutions. This course provides learners an end-to-end hands-on experience in building C++ solutions in a comprehensive manner. You’ll start with the processes to use CMake in your projects. Next, you’ll learn about the automation of complex tasks including building, testing, and packaging. Then, you’ll learn how to form source directories, as well as bu...Show More

What You'll Learn

A deep understanding of the steps involved in the software build process

Working knowledge of the automation process of complex tasks in the building project

Familiarity with the different options available to build software

Hands-on exposure to navigating through the project structure, scripts, and modules to build maintainable and clean solutions

Hands-on practice with different CMake tools to configure, run, and generate test results

Hands-on experience in applying the end-to-end CMake process to build, test, and package C++ projects

A deep understanding of the steps involved in the software build process

Course Content

Introduction to the Course

1 Lessons

Get familiar with building and managing elegant, maintainable C++ projects using CMake.

Getting Started

First Steps with CMake

11 Lessons

Look at transforming C++ source code into executables using CMake's automated build process.

Introduction

Understanding the Basics

CMake Tools

CMake Command: Generating a Project Build System

CMake Command: Building a Project

CMake Command: Other Operations

Other CMake Tools

Navigate the Project Files: Directory Structure and Cache Variable

Navigate the Project Files: Configuration Files and Presets

Discovering Scripts and Modules

Chapter Wrap-up

The CMake Language

12 Lessons

Work your way through essential CMake syntax, variable management, control structures, and useful commands.

Introduction

CMake Language Syntax

Working With Variables

Variable Scope and Lists

Conditional Blocks

Comparison Operators and Simple Checks

Loops

Command Definitions: Macros

Command Definitions: Functions

Naming Conventions

Useful Commands

Chapter Wrap-up

Setting Up Our First CMake Project

10 Lessons

Find out about setting up and optimizing your first CMake project with structured guidance.

Introduction

Basic Directives and Commands

Project Partitioning

Scoped Subdirectories

Thinking About the Project Structure

Scoping the Environment

Configuring the Toolchain

Interprocedural Optimization

Disabling in-source builds

Chapter Wrap-up

Working with Targets

9 Lessons

Deepen your knowledge of managing targets, properties, dependencies, and generator expressions in CMake.

Introduction

The Concept of a Target

Target Properties

Pseudo Targets

Writing Custom Commands

Understanding Generator Expressions

Types of Evaluation

Examples to Try Out

Chapter Wrap-up

Compiling C++ Sources with CMake

9 Lessons

Investigate the complexities of C++ compilation, preprocessor and optimizer configurations, and efficient build management.

Introduction

The Basics of Compilation

Preprocessor Configuration: Definition

Preprocessor Configuration: Header

Optimizer Configuration: General Level

Optimizer Configuration: Function and Loop Level

Managing the Process of Compilation

Finding Mistakes

Chapter Wrap-up

Linking with CMake

8 Lessons

Master linking in CMake, understanding files, libraries, symbol management, and testing techniques.

Introduction

Getting the Basics of Linking Right

Building Different Library Types

Solving Problems With the One Definition Rule

Duplicated Namespaces and Dynamically Linked Symbols

The Order of Linking and Unresolved Symbols

Separating main() for Testing

Chapter Wrap-up

Modern CMake for C++ Exam 1

Assessment

Managing Dependencies with CMake

10 Lessons

Learn how to use CMake for managing external dependencies efficiently in C++ projects.

Introduction

How to Find Installed Packages I

How to Find Installed Packages II

Discovering Legacy Packages With FindPkgConfig

Writing Our Own Find-Modules

Working With Git Repositories: Submodules

Git-Cloning Dependencies for Projects That Don't Use Git

Using ExternalProject Modules

Using FetchContent Modules

Chapter Wrap-up

10.

Testing Frameworks

10 Lessons

Unpack the core of automated testing, CTest integration, and using Catch2 and GTest in C++.

Introduction

Why Are Automated Tests Worth the Trouble?

Using CTest to Standardize Testing in CMake

Creating the Most Basic Unit Test for CTest

Structuring Our Projects for Testing

Unit-Testing Frameworks: Catch2

Unit-Testing Frameworks: GTest

Unit-Testing Frameworks: GMock

Generating Test Coverage Reports

Chapter Wrap-up

11.

Program Analysis Tools

7 Lessons

Work your way through program analysis tools for formatting, static checking, and dynamic analysis.

Introduction

Enforcing the Formatting

Using Static Checkers

Introduction to Checkers

Dynamic Analysis With Valgrind: Memcheck

Dynamic Analysis With Valgrind: Memcheck-Cover

Chapter Wrap-up

12.

Generating Documentation

4 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of generating clear, modern documentation using Doxygen in CMake projects.

Introduction

Adding Doxygen to Our Project

Generating Documentation With a Modern Look

Chapter Wrap-up

13.

Installing and Packaging

13 Lessons

Generate and manage C++ project installations and packages effectively using CMake and CPack.

Introduction

Exporting Without Installation

Installing Projects on the System

Installing Logical Targets

Low-Level Installation

Working With Whole Directories

Invoking Scripts During Installation

Creating Reusable Packages

Creating and Managing Config-Files

Generating Package Version Files

Defining Components

Packaging With CPack

Chapter Wrap-up

14.

Creating Our Professional Project

9 Lessons

Tackle structuring, building, and managing dependencies for a professional CMake project.

Introduction

Planning Our Work

Project Layout

Building and Managing Dependencies

Testing and Program Analysis

Installing and Packaging

Providing the Documentation

Challenge: Creating Our Professional Project

Solution: Creating Our Professional Project

15.

Conclusion

1 Lessons

Master the steps to build, manage, and automate professional C++ projects using CMake.

Course Wrap-up

16.

Appendix

6 Lessons

Learn how to use essential CMake commands for installation, string, list, file, and math operations.

Installing CMake

Miscellaneous Commands

Course Author

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