cmake-examples
A collection of small CMake example projects for learning the build system.
- Stars
- 13.1k
- Forks
- 2.5k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- CMake
- Last update
- 2.7 years ago
- Type
- Learning resource
No commits in over a year — check for forks or alternatives before adopting.
What it is
This repository is a set of example projects that show how to use CMake, a tool that controls how C and C++ code is compiled. Each example covers one topic, such as adding libraries, running tests, or packaging an application. It is meant for learning by reading and running the examples.
- Follow an example to set up a basic C++ executable built with CMake
- Learn how to link external libraries such as Boost into a CMake project
- Look up how to wire in unit testing frameworks like Google Test or Catch
- Study how packaging with CPack is configured
Great for
- C++ developers who are new to CMake
- Students learning how C++ projects are built
- Developers who want a small working example of a specific CMake feature
- Teams looking for reference snippets for testing, static analysis, or packaging with CMake
Not ideal for
- People who need a finished application; this is a collection of teaching examples
- Users who do not work with C or C++, since the examples are CMake-specific
- Readers who want the latest CMake features, because the last push was in February 2024 and the README was truncated so the coverage could not be fully verified
How to get it
- 1
Clone and build from source
You'll need: CMake · A C++ compiler
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/ttroy50/cmake-examples - 2
Run it
- Clone the repository and open the examples folder
- Pick an example that matches what you want to learn
- Read its CMakeLists.txt and any README notes in that folder
- Configure and build it with CMake, following the example's instructions
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Start with the basic examples before moving to testing or packaging
- Use the examples alongside the official CMake documentation
- Try the static analysis and clang-format examples on your own code
Downloads
Strengths
- Focused, small examples that are easy to read one at a time
- Topic list covers common needs such as testing, static analysis, and formatting
- MIT license allows free reuse of the examples
Trade-offs
- The README was truncated, so the full list of examples could not be confirmed here
- Last code push was February 2024, so some details may be dated
- Examples teach concepts but are not a complete reference for CMake
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cmake-examples (this) | 13.1k | Learning resource | beginner | 2.7 years ago | C++ developers who are new to CMake |
| project-based-learning | 289k | Curated list | beginner | 4 days ago | Beginners who want a concrete project to build after learning the basics |
| vcpkg | 27.6k | Dev tool | intermediate | 4 days ago | C and C++ developers who need third-party libraries in their projects |
| infer | 15.7k | Dev tool | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers working on Java, C, C++, or Objective-C codebases |
| first-contributions | 56.7k | Learning resource | beginner | 4 days ago | People who have never submitted a pull request to an open source project |
| claude-howto | 46.4k | Learning resource | beginner | 4 days ago | Developers who have installed Claude Code and want to go beyond basic prompts |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.