Design, build, and share cross-platform software effortlessly, and enhance your development workflow with this hands-on guide

Key Features

Unlock efficient cross-platform builds with streamlined CMake setups

Learn CMake's most powerful features for streamlined software development from a seasoned game and engine developer

Create and distribute an application with step-by-step instructions, practical examples, and working code

Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

Minimal CMake guides you through creating a CMake project one step at a time. The book utilizes the author's unique expertise in game and engine development to craft compelling examples of how CMake can be used to build complex software. The chapters introduce concepts gradually, each one building on the last. Throughout the course of the book, you will progress from a simple console application all the way through to a full windowed app. The book will help you build a strong foundation in CMake that will translate to future projects. You’ll learn how to integrate existing software libraries to enhance your app’s functionality, how to build reusable libraries to share with others, and how to manage developing for multiple platforms simultaneously, including macOS, Windows, and Linux. You’ll also find out how CMake facilitates testing and how to package your application ready for distribution. The book aims to not overwhelm you with everything there is to know about CMake. Instead, it focuses on the most relevant and important parts that will help you become productive quickly. By the end of this book, you will be a confident CMake user and will have gained the skills and experience to build and share your own libraries and applications.

What you will learn

Set up projects for seamless cross-platform development

Integrate external libraries to enhance your project’s functionality

Create and share reusable libraries

Manage complex software dependencies for improved maintainability

Package and distribute applications efficiently

Utilize top tools to streamline your CMake workflow

Explore resources for continuous learning

Who this book is for

If you are a programmer skilled in C, C++, Swift, Objective-C, or C#, and keen on cross-platform development and open-source software, this book is for you. A solid grasp of CMake helps you to effectively utilize and create open-source libraries and applications. No prior knowledge of CMake is necessary, though familiarity with an imperative programming language (especially C and C++) is beneficial. While a basic understanding of the terminal is advantageous, comprehensive setup instructions will guide you across Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu).