Q: Argh! vs cxxopts: which is better for simple C++ CLI tools?

Argh! is lighter and easier to integrate with its single header, ideal for quick prototypes, while cxxopts offers more features like automatic help generation and validation, better for production tools needing robustness. Choose based on whether you prioritize simplicity or completeness.

Q: Does Argh! handle Windows command line arguments properly?

Yes, Argh! works cross-platform and handles Windows-style arguments, but it relies on standard C++ parsing, so complex cases like spaces in paths may need careful handling using .str() method as noted in the README tips.

Q: Can I use Argh! for tools with multiple subcommands?

No, Argh! does not support subcommands natively; you'd need to implement subcommand logic manually by parsing positional arguments or using flags, which can become messy for complex interfaces.

Q: How to integrate Argh! into a CMake project?

The README provides CMake support: use find_package(argh) and target_link_libraries(your_target argh) to include the header. This makes integration straightforward without manual file copying.

Q: Is Argh! suitable for production use in large applications?

It can be, but cautiously: its minimalist design reduces overhead, but the lack of validation and help generation means more custom code for error handling and documentation, which may not scale well in large teams.

Question 1

How to make arguments required with Argh!?

Accepted Answer

Argh! doesn't enforce required arguments; you must manually check using operators like if(!cmdl('input')) { std::cerr << 'Error: input required'; } and handle errors yourself. This approach gives flexibility but adds boilerplate code.

Question 2

Argh! vs cxxopts: which is better for simple C++ CLI tools?

Accepted Answer

Argh! is lighter and easier to integrate with its single header, ideal for quick prototypes, while cxxopts offers more features like automatic help generation and validation, better for production tools needing robustness. Choose based on whether you prioritize simplicity or completeness.

Question 3

Does Argh! handle Windows command line arguments properly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Argh! works cross-platform and handles Windows-style arguments, but it relies on standard C++ parsing, so complex cases like spaces in paths may need careful handling using .str() method as noted in the README tips.

Question 4

Can I use Argh! for tools with multiple subcommands?

Accepted Answer

No, Argh! does not support subcommands natively; you'd need to implement subcommand logic manually by parsing positional arguments or using flags, which can become messy for complex interfaces.

Question 5

How to integrate Argh! into a CMake project?

Accepted Answer

The README provides CMake support: use find_package(argh) and target_link_libraries(your_target argh) to include the header. This makes integration straightforward without manual file copying.

Question 6

Is Argh! suitable for production use in large applications?

Accepted Answer

It can be, but cautiously: its minimalist design reduces overhead, but the lack of validation and help generation means more custom code for error handling and documentation, which may not scale well in large teams.

Argh!

What is Argh!?

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