[CMake] How does :: actually works?

[Johannes Zarl-Zierl]

On Monday 15 June 2015 22:43:41 you wrote:
> Just a last question: I assume that most find module scripts distributed
> with cmake are
> not using this feature at the moment, right?

Sadly, no.

> After reading your explaination I looked at documentation for FindBoost and
> FindGTest
> which are both used in all my projects and they dont seem to provide import
> targets.
> Are there plans to update the cmake scripts distributed with CMake

On the one hand, FindPackage modules are, as far as I'm aware, slowly being 
updated to use imported targets. On the other hand, quite a few packages are 
missing a maintainer[1]. If you are using a package and want it to provide 
imported targets, I think your best bet is to propose a patch for the module 
and get it into cmake.

That said, its worth mentioning that FindPackage modules are only intended for 
"legacy" projects which do not provide a PackageConfig.cmake file. If you are 
writing a new project, especially if it's based on cmake, you should write a 
PackageConfig.cmake file instead [2].

> or is it just assumed that projects willing to use importing targets will
> write them somewhere before using them?

Creating imported targets on your own is not the way to go. Better file a bug 
report or write a patch to add the functionality and get that into cmake.
IMO, until the official module provides imported targets, you're better off using 
the old way.

Cheers,
  Johannes

[1] http://www.cmake.org/Wiki/CMake:Module_Maintainers#List
[2] http://www.cmake.org/Wiki/CMake/Tutorials#CMake_Packages