cmake-generators(7)¶

Contents

cmake-generators(7)

Introduction ¶

A CMake Generator is responsible for writing the input files for a native build system. Exactly one of the CMake Generators must be selected for a build tree to determine what native build system is to be used. Optionally one of the Extra Generators may be selected as a variant of some of the Command-Line Build Tool Generators to produce project files for an auxiliary IDE.

CMake Generators are platform-specific so each may be available only on certain platforms. The cmake(1) command-line tool --help output lists available generators on the current platform. Use its -G option to specify the generator for a new build tree. The cmake-gui(1) offers interactive selection of a generator when creating a new build tree.

CMake Generators ¶

Command-Line Build Tool Generators ¶

These generators support command-line build tools. In order to use them, one must launch CMake from a command-line prompt whose environment is already configured for the chosen compiler and build tool.

Makefile Generators ¶

Ninja Generator ¶

Ninja

IDE Build Tool Generators ¶

These generators support Integrated Development Environment (IDE) project files. Since the IDEs configure their own environment one may launch CMake from any environment.

Visual Studio Generators ¶

Other Generators ¶

Extra Generators ¶

Some of the CMake Generators listed in the cmake(1) command-line tool --help output may have variants that specify an extra generator for an auxiliary IDE tool. Such generator names have the form <extra-generator> - <main-generator>. The following extra generators are known to CMake.