Guide · Open source
How to use cmake-examples: clone, build and learn CMake
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
cmake-examples is an open-source MIT-licensed repository of small example projects that show how to use CMake, the tool that controls how C and C++ code is compiled. This guide explains what the repository contains, how to get it onto your machine, and how to use the examples to learn one CMake feature at a time. By the end you will know which prerequisites you need and how to pick the right example for your question.
cmake-examplesttroy50/cmake-examples · ★ 13.1k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Check prerequisites. Confirm that CMake and a C++ compiler are installed on your computer.
- 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command to download the examples to your machine.
- 3Pick an example. Choose the example whose topic matches the CMake feature you want to learn.
- 4Read the CMake files. Look through the example's CMake files before building it so you know what it demonstrates.
- 5Build and change one thing. Build the example, then edit one line and rebuild to see how the result changes.
What is cmake-examples and who is it for?
Each example in the repository covers one topic, such as adding libraries, running tests, or packaging an application. The examples are meant for learning by reading and running them rather than as a finished application.
It suits C++ developers who are new to CMake, students learning how C++ projects are built, and developers who want a small working example of one specific feature. Teams can also use it as a reference for snippets covering testing, static analysis, or packaging with CMake.
- Best for: C++ developers new to CMake, students learning C++ builds, and developers who need a small working example of a specific feature.
- Not for: people who need a finished application, or anyone who does not work with C or C++, since the examples are CMake-specific.
What do you need before you start?
The source lists two prerequisites: CMake and a C++ compiler. Install both before you try to build any example. The repository does not document a specific install route for either tool in the material available here, so use the official instructions for each.
- CMake
- A C++ compiler
How do you get the examples onto your computer?
The install method is clone-and-build. Start by cloning the repository with git. The clone command comes straight from the README.
After cloning, move into the folder that git creates and look through the examples. Pick the one that matches the CMake feature you want to learn.
git clone https://github.com/ttroy50/cmake-examplesHow should you learn from the examples?
Read an example before you build it. Each one is built around a single topic, so the CMake file in it should show you the one feature being demonstrated. Build it with your installed CMake and C++ compiler, then change a line and rebuild to see what changes.
Work through examples in the order that matches your goal. If you are new to CMake, start with the topics that build a basic project before moving on to libraries, tests, or packaging.
- Read the example's CMake files first.
- Build the example with CMake and your C++ compiler.
- Change one thing at a time and rebuild to see the effect.
- Compare with a similar example from another project if one explanation does not make sense.
What are the limits of this repository?
The examples teach concepts; they do not produce a finished program. The README provided for this page was truncated, so the full list of covered topics could not be verified here. Check the repository's files directly to confirm which examples exist.
If you need the latest CMake features, this repository may not cover them. Compare it with the official CMake project and the other comparable projects listed below.
- Comparable projects include cpp-best-practices/cmake_template, pr0g/cmake-examples, and Kitware/CMake.
- The project homepage is http://ttroy50.github.io/cmake-examples.
What people use it for
- Learning how a C++ project is built with CMake as a beginner
- Looking up a small working example for adding a library in CMake
- Finding reference snippets for running tests with CMake
- Studying how packaging an application with CMake is set up
- Teaching a class on how C++ projects are built
Frequently asked questions
Is cmake-examples free to use?
Yes. The repository is licensed under the MIT licence, which lets you read, use, and adapt the examples. Check the licence file in the repository for the full terms.
What do I need to install before using cmake-examples?
You need CMake and a C++ compiler. The examples are built with these tools, so install both before you try to build any example.
How do I install cmake-examples?
The install method is clone-and-build. Run git clone https://github.com/ttroy50/cmake-examples to download the repository, then build the examples you want with CMake.
Is cmake-examples a finished application?
No. It is a collection of teaching examples, each showing one CMake topic. It is meant for learning by reading and running the examples, not for end users.
Can I use cmake-examples if I do not write C or C++?
Probably not. The examples are CMake-specific and CMake is used to build C and C++ code, so the material is aimed at people who work with those languages.
What are good alternatives to cmake-examples?
The source lists cpp-best-practices/cmake_template, pr0g/cmake-examples, and Kitware/CMake as comparable projects. Kitware/CMake is the official CMake project, which is the best place for the latest features.
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Our verdict
Use cmake-examples if you are new to CMake or need a small working example of one specific feature for learning, teaching, or reference. Pick something else if you need a finished application, do not work with C or C++, or want the newest CMake features, since the repository's coverage could not be fully verified and the official CMake project is the better source for those.
Install options & downloads