How do I find a CMake package manager using Awesome CMake?

Check the 'Package Management / Build Systems' section, which lists options like Conan, vcpkg, and hunter with direct GitHub links. Compare them based on your project's needs, such as cross-platform support or ease of integration with existing CMake scripts.

Awesome CMake vs the official CMake docs – which should I use first?

Start with the official documentation for core CMake syntax and features, then use Awesome CMake for practical examples, community tools, and modern practices. Awesome CMake supplements the docs with real-world implementations and third-party modules.

How to contribute a new resource to Awesome CMake?

Follow the CONTRIBUTING.md guidelines in the repository, typically by submitting a pull request with a link and description. Ensure your resource aligns with modern CMake practices to increase acceptance chances, as the project emphasizes quality curation.

Does Awesome CMake have resources for embedded development?

Yes, explore the 'Toolchains' section for platforms like Arduino and Android, and check 'Examples / Templates' for cross-compilation setups. These entries provide CMake scripts and configurations tailored to embedded targets.

How often is Awesome CMake updated?

Updates depend on community contributor activity; check the GitHub repository for recent commits and issues to gauge maintenance. While it aims to stay current, there's no fixed schedule, so some entries might lag behind.

What are the best modern CMake tutorials on Awesome CMake?

Look in the 'Resources' section for highlighted articles like 'It's Time To Do CMake Right' and lectures from CppCon, which are curated as high-quality guides for adopting target-based practices and avoiding common pitfalls.

Open-Awesome

CMake

NOASSERTION

A curated collection of CMake scripts, modules, examples, tutorials, and tools for modern C++ development.

GitHub

5.4k stars490 forks0 contributors

What is CMake?

Awesome CMake is a curated list of resources for the CMake build system, including scripts, modules, examples, tutorials, and tools. It helps C and C++ developers find high-quality, reusable components and learn modern CMake practices to improve their project configuration and build processes.

Target Audience

C and C++ developers, build engineers, and open-source maintainers who use CMake for project configuration and seek to adopt modern practices or find reusable solutions.

Value Proposition

It saves developers time by aggregating the best community resources in one place, emphasizes modern CMake patterns, and provides a vetted collection that avoids outdated or anti-pattern approaches.

Overview

A curated list of awesome CMake resources, scripts, modules and examples.

Use Cases

Best For

Finding reusable CMake modules for specific libraries or platforms
Learning modern CMake practices through tutorials and examples
Setting up cross-compilation toolchains for embedded or mobile targets
Managing C++ dependencies with CMake-based package managers
Discovering utility scripts for precompiled headers, code coverage, or linting
Starting a new C++ project with a well-structured CMake template

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring a fully automated, GUI-based build system without manual CMake scripting
Teams with zero CMake experience seeking a plug-and-play, out-of-the-box solution
Environments where build systems are mandated to use non-CMake alternatives like Bazel or Meson
Commercial enterprises needing vendor-supported CMake modules with service-level agreements

Pros & Cons

Pros

Curated High-Quality Resources

Aggregates only vetted scripts, modules, examples, and tools from across the ecosystem, saving developers time from scouring the internet for reliable CMake solutions.

Modern CMake Emphasis

Focuses on contemporary practices like target-based dependency management and includes a separate list for non-modern examples to help users avoid anti-patterns.

Well-Structured Categorization

Organizes entries into clear sections such as Package Management, Modules, and Toolchains, making it easy to navigate and find specific resources for cross-platform development.

Community-Driven Updates

Welcomes contributions and reflects active community discussions, ensuring the list evolves with the latest CMake best practices and tools.

Cons

Manual Resource Application Required

Users must independently evaluate, test, and integrate each resource, which can be time-consuming and error-prone compared to integrated CMake suites or IDEs.

Risk of Outdated Entries

As a community-maintained list, some resources may become obsolete or unmaintained over time, requiring users to verify currency and compatibility with current CMake versions.

Overwhelming for Beginners

The extensive collection can be daunting for CMake novices, lacking a guided, step-by-step learning path and potentially leading to information overload.

Frequently Asked Questions

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