Скачать или смотреть Resolving CMake Output Directory Issues with Conan

Discover how to effectively manage executable output directories in `CMake` when using `Conan`. Learn about the common pitfalls and solutions to ensure your build process runs smoothly.
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Resolving CMake Output Directory Issues with Conan

When using CMake alongside Conan, one common challenge developers face is correctly configuring the output directories for executables and libraries. In this guide, we will delve into a specific problem where executables are not appearing in the intended directory, and we will provide a step-by-step solution to address this issue.

Understanding the Problem

In your CMake project, you might have defined output directories for your executables and libraries like this:

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Where BINARY_DIR holds the path /mnt/t/myapp/bin. However, after integrating Conan with your project using the following lines:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You may find that the executable files are not being copied to the specified ${BINARY_DIR} directory. This can be quite frustrating, as you expect everything to be organized neatly in the output paths you specified.

Breakdown of the Solution

The root of the issue lies within the conan_basic_setup() macro, which redefines CMake's output path variables. Here’s a closer look at how this macro operates and how we can fix the problem:

What the Macro Does

The conan_output_dirs_setup macro alters the default output directories for your build. Specifically, it sets new paths for runtime and library output, which overrides your previously defined paths. Here's a snippet from the macro:

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This set of commands effectively points the output locations to a default structure that may not match your intent, causing executables to not end up in the correct directory.

How to Fix the Issue

To ensure that your executables are generated in the right output directory, you should adjust the call to conan_basic_setup() by adding the NO_OUTPUT_DIRS option. This tells Conan not to redefine the output directories you've set previously. Here’s how to implement the change:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This simple addition prevents Conan from overriding your output paths and lets you maintain control over where your files are built and stored.

Summary

In summary, when integrating Conan with CMake, it's essential to be aware of how certain macros can affect your project’s output structure. By using the NO_OUTPUT_DIRS option with conan_basic_setup(), you can retain your desired output directory settings. With this information, you should now be able to configure your project effectively to avoid any output directory mismatches during your build process.

Final Thoughts

Proper directory management is crucial for the efficiency of a build process, especially as projects grow in complexity. By understanding the interactions between CMake and Conan, you can streamline your workflow and avoid common pitfalls. Happy coding!