In the world of CMake, mastering dependency management is an essential skill for every developer. Today, we will discuss the two commands add_dependencies and find_package, exploring their differences and how to use them correctly.
🔧 add_dependencies is used to set target dependencies. For example, if you have a custom target or executable that needs to ensure other targets are built before it, this command acts as a guarantee of “order of execution”.
🔧 find_package is used to find and configure external libraries. If your project requires a third-party library, find_package can help you locate it and configure everything so you can use it with peace of mind.
So, what are the differences between them?
- Different Purposes
add_dependencies manages internal project dependencies, while find_package manages dependencies on external libraries.
- Different Types of Dependencies One is for dependencies between internal project targets, while the other is for dependencies on external libraries.
- Different Timing of Execution add_dependencies is typically used after defining targets, while find_package should be used at the beginning of the project.
By learning to use these two commands correctly, your CMake project management skills will reach new heights. Let’s take a look at how to use them specifically! 🚀
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