The Relationship Between CMake, CMakeLists.txt, Ninja System, and MinGW Compiler

CMake:

A cross-platform build system generator.

It is a build system generator, not a compiler.

Main Function: To generate build files suitable for different platforms and toolchains based on your project configuration (<span>CMakeLists.txt</span>).

CMakeLists.txt:

A configuration file.

Ninja:

It is a build system executor.

Main Function: To read build rule files (such as <span>build.ninja</span>), and then call the compiler and linker to generate executables or libraries.

Features:

1. Very lightweight and starts quickly;

2. Focuses on incremental builds (only compiles changed files);

3. Does not handle project management, IDE, code editing, etc.;

4. Ninja is a build tool;

What system does Ninja execute builds for?

It reads build rule files (such as <span>build.ninja</span>);

Calls the compiler and linker according to the rules;

Generates executables (.exe), static libraries (.a/.lib), dynamic libraries (.dll/.so), and other products.

MinGW:

It is a compiler;

It can compile C and C++ code;

The generated executables are native Windows programs.

4️⃣ Process Summary Diagram (Text Version)

CMakeLists.txt

↓

CMake

↓

build.ninja (rule file)

↓

Ninja (executor)

↓

MinGW/G++ (compiler)

↓

main.o → CLionProjects.exe

💡 Key Understanding:

• Ninja ≠ Compiler

• MinGW ≠ Build System

• Ninja calls MinGW to complete the compilation

• Ninja is the “conductor”, MinGW is the “worker”.