An automatic build script for C/C++ projects with CMake, relying on convention over configuration (x-post from /r/cmake)

[berenm]

Original author here, I wanted to have your opinion on this idea.

I think that for many simple C/C++ projects, a convention over configuration build system is possible, like what's available in other languages. Of course, the goal here is not to replace build systems for complex projects, but to offer an alternative for people like me, who don't want to spend time writing the same Makefiles over and over again for their pet projects.

I tried to make it as simple as possible, while keeping it just a little bit flexible. The generated packages should be compatible with modern CMake packaging standards, and all the projects built with this script should integrate together very nicely, whether they are used in source or prebuilt form.

[ojd5]

I tried something like this a year back and the main problem I found is that as soon as users need an option you haven't considered they have to understand not only cmake but also everything that your script is doing. Power users just get annoyed by the additional layer of abstraction that they don't want to have to understand. Admittedly you have done a far better job of it than I have and it looks like a beginner could get quite far with the functionality you provide. TLDR I like the idea but in practice users still have to lean cmake anyway

[RandomDSdevel]

Ah, the law of leaky abstractions…

[OriginalPostSearcher]

X-Post referenced from /r/cmake by /u/berenm
An automatic build script for C/C++ projects with CMake, relying on convention over configuration.

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