summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
path: root/Help
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
authorCraig Scott <craig.scott@crascit.com>2022-07-19 17:04:02 +1000
committerCraig Scott <craig.scott@crascit.com>2022-07-19 21:13:52 +1000
commit044c22e12129c035b2c8750c61de3e02afa9e5e4 (patch)
tree05a2b0841445e1b87e7794412a649b7cbc014870 /Help
parent3666486c28e4a4f97b6628f6c7f5b72afcdeaec1 (diff)
downloadcmake-044c22e12129c035b2c8750c61de3e02afa9e5e4.tar.gz
Help: Restructure reference sections of genex manual
As part of the general restructuring, also move the notes of a more introductory nature out of what was the "String-Valued Generator Expressions" section and up to the dedicated Introduction. This gives the reader a bit more of a foundation before they get to the heavier detail of the reference section.
Diffstat (limited to 'Help')
-rw-r--r--Help/manual/cmake-generator-expressions.7.rst1738
1 files changed, 866 insertions, 872 deletions
diff --git a/Help/manual/cmake-generator-expressions.7.rst b/Help/manual/cmake-generator-expressions.7.rst
index 18147b326b..357a20cb3f 100644
--- a/Help/manual/cmake-generator-expressions.7.rst
+++ b/Help/manual/cmake-generator-expressions.7.rst
@@ -12,7 +12,14 @@ Introduction
Generator expressions are evaluated during build system generation to produce
information specific to each build configuration. They have the form
-``$<...>``.
+``$<...>``. For example:
+
+.. code-block:: cmake
+
+ target_include_directories(tgt PRIVATE /opt/include/$<CXX_COMPILER_ID>)
+
+This would expand to ``/opt/include/GNU``, ``/opt/include/Clang``, etc.
+depending on the C++ compiler used.
Generator expressions are allowed in the context of many target properties,
such as :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES`, :prop_tgt:`INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES`,
@@ -24,7 +31,17 @@ compiling, conditional include directories, and more. The conditions may be
based on the build configuration, target properties, platform information,
or any other queryable information.
-Generator expressions can be nested, as shown in most of the examples below.
+Generator expressions can be nested:
+
+.. code-block:: cmake
+
+ target_compile_definitions(tgt PRIVATE
+ $<$<VERSION_LESS:$<CXX_COMPILER_VERSION>,4.2.0>:OLD_COMPILER>
+ )
+
+The above would expand to ``OLD_COMPILER`` if the
+:variable:`CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_VERSION <CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION>` is less
+than 4.2.0.
Debugging
=========
@@ -58,19 +75,38 @@ Generator Expression Reference
``string``, ``target``, etc. This is to prevent an opportunity for those
placeholders to be misinterpreted as generator expressions.
-.. _`Boolean Generator Expressions`:
+.. _`Conditional Generator Expressions`:
-Boolean Generator Expressions
------------------------------
+Conditional Expressions
+-----------------------
-Boolean expressions evaluate to either ``0`` or ``1``.
-They are typically used to construct the condition in a :ref:`conditional
-generator expression<Conditional Generator Expressions>`.
+A fundamental category of generator expressions relates to conditional logic.
+Two forms of conditional generator expressions are supported:
-Available boolean expressions are:
+.. genex:: $<condition:true_string>
-Logical Operators
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+ Evaluates to ``true_string`` if ``condition`` is ``1``, or an empty string
+ if ``condition`` evaluates to ``0``. Any other value for ``condition``
+ results in an error.
+
+.. genex:: $<IF:condition,true_string,false_string>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.8
+
+ Evaluates to ``true_string`` if ``condition`` is ``1``, or ``false_string``
+ if ``condition`` is ``0``. Any other value for ``condition`` results in an
+ error.
+
+Typically, the ``condition`` is itself a generator expression. For instance,
+the following expression expands to ``DEBUG_MODE`` when the ``Debug``
+configuration is used, and the empty string for all other configurations:
+
+.. code-block:: cmake
+
+ $<$<CONFIG:Debug>:DEBUG_MODE>
+
+Boolean-like ``condition`` values other than ``1`` or ``0`` can be handled
+by wrapping them with the ``$<BOOL:...>`` generator expression:
.. genex:: $<BOOL:string>
@@ -84,6 +120,21 @@ Logical Operators
Otherwise evaluates to ``1``.
+The ``$<BOOL:...>`` generator expression is often used when a ``condition``
+is provided by a CMake variable:
+
+.. code-block:: cmake
+
+ $<$<BOOL:${HAVE_SOME_FEATURE}>:-DENABLE_SOME_FEATURE>
+
+
+.. _`Boolean Generator Expressions`:
+
+Logical Operators
+-----------------
+
+The common boolean logic operators are supported:
+
.. genex:: $<AND:conditions>
where ``conditions`` is a comma-separated list of boolean expressions,
@@ -103,6 +154,16 @@ Logical Operators
``condition`` must be ``0`` or ``1``. The result of the expression is
``0`` if ``condition`` is ``1``, else ``1``.
+.. _`Comparison Expressions`:
+
+Primary Comparison Expressions
+------------------------------
+
+CMake supports a variety of generator expressions that compare things.
+This section covers the primary and most widely used comparison types.
+Other more specific comparison types are documented in their own separate
+sections further below.
+
String Comparisons
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -111,23 +172,17 @@ String Comparisons
``1`` if ``string1`` and ``string2`` are equal, else ``0``.
The comparison is case-sensitive. For a case-insensitive comparison,
combine with a :ref:`string transforming generator expression
- <String Transforming Generator Expressions>`,
+ <String Transforming Generator Expressions>`. For example, the following
+ evaluates to ``1`` if ``${foo}`` is any of ``BAR``, ``Bar``, ``bar``, etc.
.. code-block:: cmake
- $<STREQUAL:$<UPPER_CASE:${foo}>,"BAR"> # "1" if ${foo} is any of "BAR", "Bar", "bar", ...
+ $<STREQUAL:$<UPPER_CASE:${foo}>,BAR>
.. genex:: $<EQUAL:value1,value2>
``1`` if ``value1`` and ``value2`` are numerically equal, else ``0``.
-.. genex:: $<IN_LIST:string,list>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.12
-
- ``1`` if ``string`` is an item in the semicolon-separated ``list``, else ``0``.
- It uses case-sensitive comparisons.
-
Version Comparisons
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -155,6 +210,67 @@ Version Comparisons
``1`` if ``v1`` is a version greater than or equal to ``v2``, else ``0``.
+.. _`String Transforming Generator Expressions`:
+
+String Transformations
+----------------------
+
+.. genex:: $<LOWER_CASE:string>
+
+ Content of ``string`` converted to lower case.
+
+.. genex:: $<UPPER_CASE:string>
+
+ Content of ``string`` converted to upper case.
+
+.. genex:: $<MAKE_C_IDENTIFIER:...>
+
+ Content of ``...`` converted to a C identifier. The conversion follows the
+ same behavior as :command:`string(MAKE_C_IDENTIFIER)`.
+
+List Expressions
+----------------
+
+.. genex:: $<IN_LIST:string,list>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.12
+
+ ``1`` if ``string`` is an item in the semicolon-separated ``list``, else ``0``.
+ It uses case-sensitive comparisons.
+
+.. genex:: $<JOIN:list,string>
+
+ Joins the list with the content of ``string`` inserted between each item.
+
+.. genex:: $<REMOVE_DUPLICATES:list>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.15
+
+ Removes duplicated items in the given ``list``. The relative order of items
+ is preserved, but if duplicates are encountered, only the first instance is
+ preserved.
+
+.. genex:: $<FILTER:list,INCLUDE|EXCLUDE,regex>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.15
+
+ Includes or removes items from ``list`` that match the regular expression
+ ``regex``.
+
+Path Expressions
+----------------
+
+Most of the expressions in this section are closely associated with the
+:command:`cmake_path` command, providing the same capabilities, but in
+the form of a generator expression.
+
+For all generator expressions in this section, paths are expected to be in
+cmake-style format. The :ref:`$\<PATH:CMAKE_PATH\> <GenEx PATH-CMAKE_PATH>`
+generator expression can be used to convert a native path to a cmake-style
+one.
+
+.. _GenEx Path Comparisons:
+
Path Comparisons
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@@ -173,16 +289,9 @@ Path Comparisons
Path Queries
^^^^^^^^^^^^
-The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression offers the same capabilities as the
-:command:`cmake_path` command, for the :ref:`Query <Path Query>` options.
-
-For all ``$<PATH>`` generator expressions, paths are expected in cmake-style
-format. The :ref:`$\<PATH:CMAKE_PATH\> <GenEx PATH-CMAKE_PATH>` generator
-expression can be used to convert a native path to a cmake-style one.
-
-The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression can also be used for path
-:ref:`Decomposition <GenEx Path Decomposition>` and
-:ref:`Transformations <GenEx Path Transformations>`.
+These expressions provide the generation-time capabilities equivalent to the
+:ref:`Query <Path Query>` options of the :command:`cmake_path` command.
+All paths are expected to be in cmake-style format.
.. genex:: $<PATH:HAS_*,path>
@@ -228,209 +337,419 @@ The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression can also be used for path
.. versionadded:: 3.24
- Returns ``1`` if ``path`` is the prefix of ``input``,``0`` otherwise.
+ Returns ``1`` if ``path`` is the prefix of ``input``, ``0`` otherwise.
When the ``NORMALIZE`` option is specified, ``path`` and ``input`` are
:ref:`normalized <Normalization>` before the check.
-Variable Queries
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+.. _GenEx Path Decomposition:
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_EXISTS:target>
+Path Decomposition
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- .. versionadded:: 3.12
+These expressions provide the generation-time capabilities equivalent to the
+:ref:`Decomposition <Path Decomposition>` options of the :command:`cmake_path`
+command. All paths are expected to be in cmake-style format.
- ``1`` if ``target`` exists, else ``0``.
+.. genex:: $<PATH:GET_*,...>
-.. genex:: $<CONFIG:cfgs>
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
- ``1`` if config is any one of the entries in comma-separated list
- ``cfgs``, else ``0``. This is a case-insensitive comparison. The mapping in
- :prop_tgt:`MAP_IMPORTED_CONFIG_<CONFIG>` is also considered by this
- expression when it is evaluated on a property on an :prop_tgt:`IMPORTED`
- target.
+ The following operations retrieve a different component or group of
+ components from a path. See :ref:`Path Structure And Terminology` for the
+ meaning of each path component.
-.. genex:: $<PLATFORM_ID:platform_ids>
+ ::
- where ``platform_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's platform id matches any one of the entries in
- ``platform_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME` variable.
+ $<PATH:GET_ROOT_NAME,path>
+ $<PATH:GET_ROOT_DIRECTORY,path>
+ $<PATH:GET_ROOT_PATH,path>
+ $<PATH:GET_FILENAME,path>
+ $<PATH:GET_EXTENSION[,LAST_ONLY],path>
+ $<PATH:GET_STEM[,LAST_ONLY],path>
+ $<PATH:GET_RELATIVE_PART,path>
+ $<PATH:GET_PARENT_PATH,path>
-.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+ If a requested component is not present in the path, an empty string is
+ returned.
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the C compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+.. _GenEx Path Transformations:
-.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+Path Transformations
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the CXX compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+These expressions provide the generation-time capabilities equivalent to the
+:ref:`Modification <Path Modification>` and :ref:`Generation <Path Generation>`
+options of the :command:`cmake_path` command. All paths are expected to be
+in cmake-style format.
-.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+.. _GenEx PATH-CMAKE_PATH:
- .. versionadded:: 3.15
+.. genex:: $<PATH:CMAKE_PATH[,NORMALIZE],path>
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the CUDA compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
-.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+ Returns ``path``. If ``path`` is a native path, it is converted into a
+ cmake-style path with forward-slashes (``/``). On Windows, the long filename
+ marker is taken into account.
- .. versionadded:: 3.16
+ When the ``NORMALIZE`` option is specified, the path is :ref:`normalized
+ <Normalization>` after the conversion.
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the Objective-C compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+.. genex:: $<PATH:APPEND,path,input,...>
-.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
- .. versionadded:: 3.16
+ Returns all the ``input`` arguments appended to ``path`` using ``/`` as the
+ ``directory-separator``. Depending on the ``input``, the value of ``path``
+ may be discarded.
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the Objective-C++ compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(APPEND) <APPEND>` for more details.
-.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+.. genex:: $<PATH:REMOVE_FILENAME,path>
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the Fortran compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
-.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+ Returns ``path`` with filename component (as returned by
+ ``$<PATH:GET_FILENAME>``) removed. After removal, any trailing
+ ``directory-separator`` is left alone, if present.
- .. versionadded:: 3.21
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(REMOVE_FILENAME) <REMOVE_FILENAME>` for more details.
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the HIP compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+.. genex:: $<PATH:REPLACE_FILENAME,path,input>
-.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
- .. versionadded:: 3.19
+ Returns ``path`` with the filename component replaced by ``input``. If
+ ``path`` has no filename component (i.e. ``$<PATH:HAS_FILENAME>`` returns
+ ``0``), ``path`` is unchanged.
- where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
- ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the ISPC compiler matches any one
- of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(REPLACE_FILENAME) <REPLACE_FILENAME>` for more details.
+
+.. genex:: $<PATH:REMOVE_EXTENSION[,LAST_ONLY],path>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
+
+ Returns ``path`` with the :ref:`extension <EXTENSION_DEF>` removed, if any.
+
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(REMOVE_EXTENSION) <REMOVE_EXTENSION>` for more details.
+
+.. genex:: $<PATH:REPLACE_EXTENSION[,LAST_ONLY],path>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
+
+ Returns ``path`` with the :ref:`extension <EXTENSION_DEF>` replaced by
+ ``input``, if any.
+
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(REPLACE_EXTENSION) <REPLACE_EXTENSION>` for more details.
+
+.. genex:: $<PATH:NORMAL_PATH,path>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
+
+ Returns ``path`` normalized according to the steps described in
+ :ref:`Normalization`.
+
+.. genex:: $<PATH:RELATIVE_PATH,path,base_directory>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
+
+ Returns ``path``, modified to make it relative to the ``base_directory``
+ argument.
+
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(RELATIVE_PATH) <cmake_path-RELATIVE_PATH>` for more
+ details.
+
+.. genex:: $<PATH:ABSOLUTE_PATH[,NORMALIZE],path,base_directory>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
+
+ Returns ``path`` as absolute. If ``path`` is a relative path
+ (``$<PATH:IS_RELATIVE>`` returns ``1``), it is evaluated relative to the
+ given base directory specified by ``base_directory`` argument.
+
+ When the ``NORMALIZE`` option is specified, the path is
+ :ref:`normalized <Normalization>` after the path computation.
+
+ See :ref:`cmake_path(ABSOLUTE_PATH) <ABSOLUTE_PATH>` for more details.
+
+Shell Paths
+^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+.. genex:: $<SHELL_PATH:...>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.4
+
+ Content of ``...`` converted to shell path style. For example, slashes are
+ converted to backslashes in Windows shells and drive letters are converted
+ to posix paths in MSYS shells. The ``...`` must be an absolute path.
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.14
+ The ``...`` may be a :ref:`semicolon-separated list <CMake Language Lists>`
+ of paths, in which case each path is converted individually and a result
+ list is generated using the shell path separator (``:`` on POSIX and
+ ``;`` on Windows). Be sure to enclose the argument containing this genex
+ in double quotes in CMake source code so that ``;`` does not split arguments.
+
+Configuration Expressions
+-------------------------
+
+.. genex:: $<CONFIG>
+
+ Configuration name. Use this instead of the deprecated :genex:`CONFIGURATION`
+ generator expression.
+
+.. genex:: $<CONFIG:cfgs>
+
+ ``1`` if config is any one of the entries in comma-separated list
+ ``cfgs``, else ``0``. This is a case-insensitive comparison. The mapping in
+ :prop_tgt:`MAP_IMPORTED_CONFIG_<CONFIG>` is also considered by this
+ expression when it is evaluated on a property of an :prop_tgt:`IMPORTED`
+ target.
+
+.. genex:: $<OUTPUT_CONFIG:...>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.20
+
+ Only valid in :command:`add_custom_command` and :command:`add_custom_target`
+ as the outer-most generator expression in an argument.
+ With the :generator:`Ninja Multi-Config` generator, generator expressions
+ in ``...`` are evaluated using the custom command's "output config".
+ With other generators, the content of ``...`` is evaluated normally.
+
+.. genex:: $<COMMAND_CONFIG:...>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.20
+
+ Only valid in :command:`add_custom_command` and :command:`add_custom_target`
+ as the outer-most generator expression in an argument.
+ With the :generator:`Ninja Multi-Config` generator, generator expressions
+ in ``...`` are evaluated using the custom command's "command config".
+ With other generators, the content of ``...`` is evaluated normally.
+
+Toolchain And Language Expressions
+----------------------------------
+
+Platform
+^^^^^^^^
+
+.. genex:: $<PLATFORM_ID>
+
+ The current system's CMake platform id.
+ See also the :variable:`CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<PLATFORM_ID:platform_ids>
+
+ where ``platform_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's platform id matches any one of the entries in
+ ``platform_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+ See also the :variable:`CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME` variable.
+
+Compiler Version
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable, which is
+closely related to the expressions in this sub-section.
+
+.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ The version of the C compiler used.
.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
``1`` if the version of the C compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ The version of the CXX compiler used.
.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
``1`` if the version of the CXX compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.15
+
+ The version of the CUDA compiler used.
.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
.. versionadded:: 3.15
``1`` if the version of the CXX compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.16
+
+ The version of the OBJC compiler used.
.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
.. versionadded:: 3.16
``1`` if the version of the OBJC compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.16
+
+ The version of the OBJCXX compiler used.
.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
.. versionadded:: 3.16
``1`` if the version of the OBJCXX compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ The version of the Fortran compiler used.
.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
``1`` if the version of the Fortran compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.21
+
+ The version of the HIP compiler used.
.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
.. versionadded:: 3.21
``1`` if the version of the HIP compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+
+.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_VERSION>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.19
+
+ The version of the ISPC compiler used.
.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_VERSION:version>
.. versionadded:: 3.19
``1`` if the version of the ISPC compiler matches ``version``, otherwise ``0``.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_POLICY:policy>
+Compiler Language And ID
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
- ``1`` if the ``policy`` was NEW when the 'head' target was created,
- else ``0``. If the ``policy`` was not set, the warning message for the policy
- will be emitted. This generator expression only works for a subset of
- policies.
+See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable, which is closely
+related to most of the expressions in this sub-section.
-.. genex:: $<COMPILE_FEATURES:features>
+.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_ID>
- .. versionadded:: 3.1
+ CMake's compiler id of the C compiler used.
- where ``features`` is a comma-separated list.
- Evaluates to ``1`` if all of the ``features`` are available for the 'head'
- target, and ``0`` otherwise. If this expression is used while evaluating
- the link implementation of a target and if any dependency transitively
- increases the required :prop_tgt:`C_STANDARD` or :prop_tgt:`CXX_STANDARD`
- for the 'head' target, an error is reported. See the
- :manual:`cmake-compile-features(7)` manual for information on
- compile features and a list of supported compilers.
+.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
-.. genex:: $<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:language,compiler_ids>
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the C compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_ID>
+
+ CMake's compiler id of the CXX compiler used.
+
+.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the CXX compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_ID>
.. versionadded:: 3.15
- ``1`` when the language used for compilation unit matches ``language`` and
- CMake's compiler id of the ``language`` compiler matches any one of the
- entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``. This expression is a short form
- for the combination of ``$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:language>`` and
- ``$<LANG_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>``. This expression may be used to specify
- compile options, compile definitions, and include directories for source files of a
- particular language and compiler combination in a target. For example:
+ CMake's compiler id of the CUDA compiler used.
- .. code-block:: cmake
+.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
- add_executable(myapp main.cpp foo.c bar.cpp zot.cu)
- target_compile_definitions(myapp
- PRIVATE $<$<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,AppleClang,Clang>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_CLANG>
- $<$<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,Intel>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_INTEL>
- $<$<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:C,Clang>:COMPILING_C_WITH_CLANG>
- )
+ .. versionadded:: 3.15
- This specifies the use of different compile definitions based on both
- the compiler id and compilation language. This example will have a
- ``COMPILING_CXX_WITH_CLANG`` compile definition when Clang is the CXX
- compiler, and ``COMPILING_CXX_WITH_INTEL`` when Intel is the CXX compiler.
- Likewise when the C compiler is Clang it will only see the ``COMPILING_C_WITH_CLANG``
- definition.
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the CUDA compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
- Without the ``COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID`` generator expression the same logic
- would be expressed as:
+.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_ID>
- .. code-block:: cmake
+ .. versionadded:: 3.16
- target_compile_definitions(myapp
- PRIVATE $<$<AND:$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:CXX>,$<CXX_COMPILER_ID:AppleClang,Clang>>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_CLANG>
- $<$<AND:$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:CXX>,$<CXX_COMPILER_ID:Intel>>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_INTEL>
- $<$<AND:$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:C>,$<C_COMPILER_ID:Clang>>:COMPILING_C_WITH_CLANG>
- )
+ CMake's compiler id of the OBJC compiler used.
+
+.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.16
+
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the Objective-C compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_ID>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.16
+
+ CMake's compiler id of the OBJCXX compiler used.
+
+.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.16
+
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the Objective-C++ compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_ID>
+
+ CMake's compiler id of the Fortran compiler used.
+
+.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the Fortran compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_ID>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.21
+
+ CMake's compiler id of the HIP compiler used.
+
+.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.21
+
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the HIP compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_ID>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.19
+
+ CMake's compiler id of the ISPC compiler used.
+
+.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.19
+
+ where ``compiler_ids`` is a comma-separated list.
+ ``1`` if CMake's compiler id of the ISPC compiler matches any one
+ of the entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``.
+
+.. genex:: $<COMPILE_LANGUAGE>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.3
+
+ The compile language of source files when evaluating compile options.
+ See :ref:`the related boolean expression
+ <Boolean COMPILE_LANGUAGE Generator Expression>`
+ ``$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:language>``
+ for notes about the portability of this generator expression.
.. _`Boolean COMPILE_LANGUAGE Generator Expression`:
@@ -440,7 +759,7 @@ Variable Queries
``1`` when the language used for compilation unit matches any of the entries
in ``languages``, otherwise ``0``. This expression may be used to specify
- compile options, compile definitions, and include directories for source files of a
+ compile options, compile definitions, and include directories for source
files of a particular language in a target. For example:
.. code-block:: cmake
@@ -480,47 +799,80 @@ Variable Queries
add_executable(myapp main.cpp)
target_link_libraries(myapp myapp_c myapp_cxx)
-.. genex:: $<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:language,compiler_ids>
+.. genex:: $<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:language,compiler_ids>
- .. versionadded:: 3.18
+ .. versionadded:: 3.15
- ``1`` when the language used for link step matches ``language`` and the
- CMake's compiler id of the language linker matches any one of the entries
- in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``. This expression is a short form for the
- combination of ``$<LINK_LANGUAGE:language>`` and
+ ``1`` when the language used for compilation unit matches ``language`` and
+ CMake's compiler id of the ``language`` compiler matches any one of the
+ entries in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``. This expression is a short form
+ for the combination of ``$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:language>`` and
``$<LANG_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>``. This expression may be used to specify
- link libraries, link options, link directories and link dependencies of a
- particular language and linker combination in a target. For example:
+ compile options, compile definitions, and include directories for source
+ files of a particular language and compiler combination in a target.
+ For example:
.. code-block:: cmake
- add_library(libC_Clang ...)
- add_library(libCXX_Clang ...)
- add_library(libC_Intel ...)
- add_library(libCXX_Intel ...)
+ add_executable(myapp main.cpp foo.c bar.cpp zot.cu)
+ target_compile_definitions(myapp
+ PRIVATE $<$<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,AppleClang,Clang>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_CLANG>
+ $<$<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,Intel>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_INTEL>
+ $<$<COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID:C,Clang>:COMPILING_C_WITH_CLANG>
+ )
- add_executable(myapp main.c)
- if (CXX_CONFIG)
- target_sources(myapp PRIVATE file.cxx)
- endif()
- target_link_libraries(myapp
- PRIVATE $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,Clang,AppleClang>:libCXX_Clang>
- $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:C,Clang,AppleClang>:libC_Clang>
- $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,Intel>:libCXX_Intel>
- $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:C,Intel>:libC_Intel>)
+ This specifies the use of different compile definitions based on both
+ the compiler id and compilation language. This example will have a
+ ``COMPILING_CXX_WITH_CLANG`` compile definition when Clang is the CXX
+ compiler, and ``COMPILING_CXX_WITH_INTEL`` when Intel is the CXX compiler.
+ Likewise, when the C compiler is Clang, it will only see the
+ ``COMPILING_C_WITH_CLANG`` definition.
- This specifies the use of different link libraries based on both the
- compiler id and link language. This example will have target ``libCXX_Clang``
- as link dependency when ``Clang`` or ``AppleClang`` is the ``CXX``
- linker, and ``libCXX_Intel`` when ``Intel`` is the ``CXX`` linker.
- Likewise when the ``C`` linker is ``Clang`` or ``AppleClang``, target
- ``libC_Clang`` will be added as link dependency and ``libC_Intel`` when
- ``Intel`` is the ``C`` linker.
+ Without the ``COMPILE_LANG_AND_ID`` generator expression, the same logic
+ would be expressed as:
+
+ .. code-block:: cmake
+
+ target_compile_definitions(myapp
+ PRIVATE $<$<AND:$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:CXX>,$<CXX_COMPILER_ID:AppleClang,Clang>>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_CLANG>
+ $<$<AND:$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:CXX>,$<CXX_COMPILER_ID:Intel>>:COMPILING_CXX_WITH_INTEL>
+ $<$<AND:$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:C>,$<C_COMPILER_ID:Clang>>:COMPILING_C_WITH_CLANG>
+ )
+
+Compile Features
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+.. genex:: $<COMPILE_FEATURES:features>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.1
+
+ where ``features`` is a comma-separated list.
+ Evaluates to ``1`` if all of the ``features`` are available for the 'head'
+ target, and ``0`` otherwise. If this expression is used while evaluating
+ the link implementation of a target and if any dependency transitively
+ increases the required :prop_tgt:`C_STANDARD` or :prop_tgt:`CXX_STANDARD`
+ for the 'head' target, an error is reported. See the
+ :manual:`cmake-compile-features(7)` manual for information on
+ compile features and a list of supported compilers.
+
+Linker Language And ID
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+.. genex:: $<LINK_LANGUAGE>
+
+ .. versionadded:: 3.18
+
+ The link language of the target when evaluating link options.
+ See :ref:`the related boolean expression
+ <Boolean LINK_LANGUAGE Generator Expression>` ``$<LINK_LANGUAGE:languages>``
+ for notes about the portability of this generator expression.
+
+ .. note::
+
+ This generator expression is not supported by the link libraries
+ properties to avoid side-effects due to the double evaluation of
+ these properties.
- See :ref:`the note related to
- <Constraints LINK_LANGUAGE Generator Expression>`
- ``$<LINK_LANGUAGE:language>`` for constraints about the usage of this
- generator expression.
.. _`Boolean LINK_LANGUAGE Generator Expression`:
@@ -589,489 +941,391 @@ Variable Queries
evaluation will give ``C`` as link language, so the second pass will
correctly add target ``libother`` as link dependency.
-String-Valued Generator Expressions
------------------------------------
-
-These expressions expand to some string.
-For example,
-
-.. code-block:: cmake
-
- include_directories(/usr/include/$<CXX_COMPILER_ID>/)
-
-expands to ``/usr/include/GNU/`` or ``/usr/include/Clang/`` etc, depending on
-the compiler identifier.
-
-String-valued expressions may also be combined with other expressions.
-Here an example for a string-valued expression within a boolean expressions
-within a conditional expression:
-
-.. code-block:: cmake
-
- $<$<VERSION_LESS:$<CXX_COMPILER_VERSION>,4.2.0>:OLD_COMPILER>
-
-expands to ``OLD_COMPILER`` if the
-:variable:`CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_VERSION <CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION>` is less
-than 4.2.0.
-
-And here two nested string-valued expressions:
-
-.. code-block:: cmake
-
- -I$<JOIN:$<TARGET_PROPERTY:INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>, -I>
-
-generates a string of the entries in the :prop_tgt:`INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES` target
-property with each entry preceded by ``-I``.
-
-Expanding on the previous example, if one first wants to check if the
-``INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES`` property is non-empty, then it is advisable to
-introduce a helper variable to keep the code readable:
-
-.. code-block:: cmake
-
- set(prop "$<TARGET_PROPERTY:INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>") # helper variable
- $<$<BOOL:${prop}>:-I$<JOIN:${prop}, -I>>
-
-The following string-valued generator expressions are available:
-
-Escaped Characters
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-String literals to escape the special meaning a character would otherwise have:
-
-.. genex:: $<ANGLE-R>
-
- A literal ``>``. Used for example to compare strings that contain a ``>``.
-
-.. genex:: $<COMMA>
-
- A literal ``,``. Used for example to compare strings which contain a ``,``.
-
-.. genex:: $<SEMICOLON>
-
- A literal ``;``. Used to prevent list expansion on an argument with ``;``.
-
-.. _`Conditional Generator Expressions`:
-
-Conditional Expressions
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-Conditional generator expressions depend on a boolean condition
-that must be ``0`` or ``1``.
-
-.. genex:: $<condition:true_string>
-
- Evaluates to ``true_string`` if ``condition`` is ``1``.
- Otherwise evaluates to the empty string.
-
-.. genex:: $<IF:condition,true_string,false_string>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.8
-
- Evaluates to ``true_string`` if ``condition`` is ``1``.
- Otherwise evaluates to ``false_string``.
-
-Typically, the ``condition`` is a :ref:`boolean generator expression
-<Boolean Generator Expressions>`. For instance,
-
-.. code-block:: cmake
-
- $<$<CONFIG:Debug>:DEBUG_MODE>
-
-expands to ``DEBUG_MODE`` when the ``Debug`` configuration is used, and
-otherwise expands to the empty string.
-
-.. _`String Transforming Generator Expressions`:
-
-String Transformations
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-.. genex:: $<JOIN:list,string>
-
- Joins the list with the content of ``string``.
-
-.. genex:: $<REMOVE_DUPLICATES:list>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.15
-
- Removes duplicated items in the given ``list``. The relative order of items
- is preserved, but if duplicates are encountered, only the first instance is
- preserved.
-
-.. genex:: $<FILTER:list,INCLUDE|EXCLUDE,regex>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.15
-
- Includes or removes items from ``list`` that match the regular expression ``regex``.
-
-.. genex:: $<LOWER_CASE:string>
-
- Content of ``string`` converted to lower case.
-
-.. genex:: $<UPPER_CASE:string>
-
- Content of ``string`` converted to upper case.
-
-.. genex:: $<GENEX_EVAL:expr>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.12
-
- Content of ``expr`` evaluated as a generator expression in the current
- context. This enables consumption of generator expressions whose
- evaluation results itself in generator expressions.
-
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_GENEX_EVAL:tgt,expr>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.12
-
- Content of ``expr`` evaluated as a generator expression in the context of
- ``tgt`` target. This enables consumption of custom target properties that
- themselves contain generator expressions.
-
- Having the capability to evaluate generator expressions is very useful when
- you want to manage custom properties supporting generator expressions.
- For example:
-
- .. code-block:: cmake
-
- add_library(foo ...)
-
- set_property(TARGET foo PROPERTY
- CUSTOM_KEYS $<$<CONFIG:DEBUG>:FOO_EXTRA_THINGS>
- )
-
- add_custom_target(printFooKeys
- COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo $<TARGET_PROPERTY:foo,CUSTOM_KEYS>
- )
+.. genex:: $<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:language,compiler_ids>
- This naive implementation of the ``printFooKeys`` custom command is wrong
- because ``CUSTOM_KEYS`` target property is not evaluated and the content
- is passed as is (i.e. ``$<$<CONFIG:DEBUG>:FOO_EXTRA_THINGS>``).
+ .. versionadded:: 3.18
- To have the expected result (i.e. ``FOO_EXTRA_THINGS`` if config is
- ``Debug``), it is required to evaluate the output of
- ``$<TARGET_PROPERTY:foo,CUSTOM_KEYS>``:
+ ``1`` when the language used for link step matches ``language`` and the
+ CMake's compiler id of the language linker matches any one of the entries
+ in ``compiler_ids``, otherwise ``0``. This expression is a short form for the
+ combination of ``$<LINK_LANGUAGE:language>`` and
+ ``$<LANG_COMPILER_ID:compiler_ids>``. This expression may be used to specify
+ link libraries, link options, link directories and link dependencies of a
+ particular language and linker combination in a target. For example:
.. code-block:: cmake
- add_custom_target(printFooKeys
- COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E
- echo $<TARGET_GENEX_EVAL:foo,$<TARGET_PROPERTY:foo,CUSTOM_KEYS>>
- )
-
-.. _GenEx Path Decomposition:
-
-Path Decomposition
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression offers the same capabilities as the
-:command:`cmake_path` command, for the
-:ref:`Decomposition <Path Decomposition>` options.
-
-For all ``$<PATH>`` generator expressions, paths are expected in cmake-style
-format. The :ref:`$\<PATH:CMAKE_PATH\> <GenEx PATH-CMAKE_PATH>` generator
-expression can be used to convert a native path to a cmake-style one.
-
-The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression can also be used for path
-:ref:`Queries <GenEx Path Queries>` and
-:ref:`Transformations <GenEx Path Transformations>`.
-
-.. genex:: $<PATH:GET_*,...>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
-
- The following operations retrieve a different component or group of
- components from a path. See :ref:`Path Structure And Terminology` for the
- meaning of each path component.
-
- ::
-
- $<PATH:GET_ROOT_NAME,path>
- $<PATH:GET_ROOT_DIRECTORY,path>
- $<PATH:GET_ROOT_PATH,path>
- $<PATH:GET_FILENAME,path>
- $<PATH:GET_EXTENSION[,LAST_ONLY],path>
- $<PATH:GET_STEM[,LAST_ONLY],path>
- $<PATH:GET_RELATIVE_PART,path>
- $<PATH:GET_PARENT_PATH,path>
-
- If a requested component is not present in the path, an empty string is
- returned.
-
-.. _GenEx Path Transformations:
-
-Path Transformations
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression offers the same capabilities as the
-:command:`cmake_path` command, for the
-:ref:`Modification <Path Modification>` and
-:ref:`Generation <Path Generation>` options.
-
-For all ``$<PATH>`` generator expressions, paths are expected in cmake-style
-format. The :ref:`$\<PATH:CMAKE_PATH\> <GenEx PATH-CMAKE_PATH>` generator
-expression can be used to convert a native path to a cmake-style one.
-
-The ``$<PATH>`` generator expression can also be used for path
-:ref:`Queries <GenEx Path Queries>` and
-:ref:`Decomposition <GenEx Path Decomposition>`.
-
-.. _GenEx PATH-CMAKE_PATH:
+ add_library(libC_Clang ...)
+ add_library(libCXX_Clang ...)
+ add_library(libC_Intel ...)
+ add_library(libCXX_Intel ...)
-.. genex:: $<PATH:CMAKE_PATH[,NORMALIZE],path>
+ add_executable(myapp main.c)
+ if (CXX_CONFIG)
+ target_sources(myapp PRIVATE file.cxx)
+ endif()
+ target_link_libraries(myapp
+ PRIVATE $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,Clang,AppleClang>:libCXX_Clang>
+ $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:C,Clang,AppleClang>:libC_Clang>
+ $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:CXX,Intel>:libCXX_Intel>
+ $<$<LINK_LANG_AND_ID:C,Intel>:libC_Intel>)
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ This specifies the use of different link libraries based on both the
+ compiler id and link language. This example will have target ``libCXX_Clang``
+ as link dependency when ``Clang`` or ``AppleClang`` is the ``CXX``
+ linker, and ``libCXX_Intel`` when ``Intel`` is the ``CXX`` linker.
+ Likewise when the ``C`` linker is ``Clang`` or ``AppleClang``, target
+ ``libC_Clang`` will be added as link dependency and ``libC_Intel`` when
+ ``Intel`` is the ``C`` linker.
- Returns ``path``. If ``path`` is a native path, it is converted into a
- cmake-style path with forward-slashes (``/``). On Windows, the long filename
- marker is taken into account.
+ See :ref:`the note related to
+ <Constraints LINK_LANGUAGE Generator Expression>`
+ ``$<LINK_LANGUAGE:language>`` for constraints about the usage of this
+ generator expression.
- When the ``NORMALIZE`` option is specified, the path is :ref:`normalized
- <Normalization>` after the conversion.
+Link Features
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-.. genex:: $<PATH:APPEND,path,input,...>
+.. genex:: $<LINK_LIBRARY:feature,library-list>
.. versionadded:: 3.24
- Returns all the ``input`` arguments appended to ``path`` using ``/`` as the
- ``directory-separator``. Depending on the ``input``, the value of ``path``
- may be discarded.
+ Specify a set of libraries to link to a target, along with a ``feature``
+ which provides details about *how* they should be linked. For example:
- See :ref:`cmake_path(APPEND) <APPEND>` for more details.
+ .. code-block:: cmake
-.. genex:: $<PATH:REMOVE_FILENAME,path>
+ add_library(lib1 STATIC ...)
+ add_library(lib2 ...)
+ target_link_libraries(lib2 PRIVATE "$<LINK_LIBRARY:WHOLE_ARCHIVE,lib1>")
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ This specifies that ``lib2`` should link to ``lib1`` and use the
+ ``WHOLE_ARCHIVE`` feature when doing so.
- Returns ``path`` with filename component (as returned by
- ``$<PATH:GET_FILENAME>``) removed. After removal, any trailing
- ``directory-separator`` is left alone, if present.
+ Feature names are case-sensitive and may only contain letters, numbers and
+ underscores. Feature names defined in all uppercase are reserved for CMake's
+ own built-in features. The pre-defined built-in library features are:
- See :ref:`cmake_path(REMOVE_FILENAME) <REMOVE_FILENAME>` for more details.
+ .. include:: ../variable/LINK_LIBRARY_PREDEFINED_FEATURES.txt
-.. genex:: $<PATH:REPLACE_FILENAME,path,input>
+ Built-in and custom library features are defined in terms of the following
+ variables:
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>`
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>`
- Returns ``path`` with the filename component replaced by ``input``. If
- ``path`` has no filename component (i.e. ``$<PATH:HAS_FILENAME>`` returns
- ``0``), ``path`` is unchanged.
+ The value used for each of these variables is the value as set at the end of
+ the directory scope in which the target was created. The usage is as follows:
- See :ref:`cmake_path(REPLACE_FILENAME) <REPLACE_FILENAME>` for more details.
+ 1. If the language-specific
+ :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable
+ is true, the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
+ :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
+ 2. If no language-specific ``feature`` is supported, then the
+ :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable must be
+ true and the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
+ :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
-.. genex:: $<PATH:REMOVE_EXTENSION[,LAST_ONLY],path>
+ The following limitations should be noted:
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ * The ``library-list`` can specify CMake targets or libraries.
+ Any CMake target of type :ref:`OBJECT <Object Libraries>`
+ or :ref:`INTERFACE <Interface Libraries>` will ignore the feature aspect
+ of the expression and instead be linked in the standard way.
- Returns ``path`` with the :ref:`extension <EXTENSION_DEF>` removed, if any.
+ * The ``$<LINK_LIBRARY:...>`` generator expression can only be used to
+ specify link libraries. In practice, this means it can appear in the
+ :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES`, :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES`, and
+ :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES_DIRECT` target properties, and be
+ specified in :command:`target_link_libraries` and :command:`link_libraries`
+ commands.
- See :ref:`cmake_path(REMOVE_EXTENSION) <REMOVE_EXTENSION>` for more details.
+ * If a ``$<LINK_LIBRARY:...>`` generator expression appears in the
+ :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES` property of a target, it will be
+ included in the imported target generated by a :command:`install(EXPORT)`
+ command. It is the responsibility of the environment consuming this
+ import to define the link feature used by this expression.
-.. genex:: $<PATH:REPLACE_EXTENSION[,LAST_ONLY],path>
+ * Each target or library involved in the link step must have at most only
+ one kind of library feature. The absence of a feature is also incompatible
+ with all other features. For example:
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ .. code-block:: cmake
- Returns ``path`` with the :ref:`extension <EXTENSION_DEF>` replaced by
- ``input``, if any.
+ add_library(lib1 ...)
+ add_library(lib2 ...)
+ add_library(lib3 ...)
- See :ref:`cmake_path(REPLACE_EXTENSION) <REPLACE_EXTENSION>` for more details.
+ # lib1 will be associated with feature1
+ target_link_libraries(lib2 PUBLIC "$<LINK_LIBRARY:feature1,lib1>")
-.. genex:: $<PATH:NORMAL_PATH,path>
+ # lib1 is being linked with no feature here. This conflicts with the
+ # use of feature1 in the line above and would result in an error.
+ target_link_libraries(lib3 PRIVATE lib1 lib2)
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ Where it isn't possible to use the same feature throughout a build for a
+ given target or library, the :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARY_OVERRIDE` and
+ :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARY_OVERRIDE_<LIBRARY>` target properties can be
+ used to resolve such incompatibilities.
- Returns ``path`` normalized according to the steps described in
- :ref:`Normalization`.
+ * The ``$<LINK_LIBRARY:...>`` generator expression does not guarantee
+ that the list of specified targets and libraries will be kept grouped
+ together. To manage constructs like ``--start-group`` and ``--end-group``,
+ as supported by the GNU ``ld`` linker, use the :genex:`LINK_GROUP`
+ generator expression instead.
-.. genex:: $<PATH:RELATIVE_PATH,path,base_directory>
+.. genex:: $<LINK_GROUP:feature,library-list>
.. versionadded:: 3.24
- Returns ``path``, modified to make it relative to the ``base_directory``
- argument.
+ Specify a group of libraries to link to a target, along with a ``feature``
+ which defines how that group should be linked. For example:
- See :ref:`cmake_path(RELATIVE_PATH) <cmake_path-RELATIVE_PATH>` for more
- details.
+ .. code-block:: cmake
-.. genex:: $<PATH:ABSOLUTE_PATH[,NORMALIZE],path,base_directory>
+ add_library(lib1 STATIC ...)
+ add_library(lib2 ...)
+ target_link_libraries(lib2 PRIVATE "$<LINK_GROUP:RESCAN,lib1,external>")
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ This specifies that ``lib2`` should link to ``lib1`` and ``external``, and
+ that both of those two libraries should be included on the linker command
+ line according to the definition of the ``RESCAN`` feature.
- Returns ``path`` as absolute. If ``path`` is a relative path
- (``$<PATH:IS_RELATIVE>`` returns ``1``), it is evaluated relative to the
- given base directory specified by ``base_directory`` argument.
+ Feature names are case-sensitive and may only contain letters, numbers and
+ underscores. Feature names defined in all uppercase are reserved for CMake's
+ own built-in features. Currently, there is only one pre-defined built-in
+ group feature:
- When the ``NORMALIZE`` option is specified, the path is
- :ref:`normalized <Normalization>` after the path computation.
+ .. include:: ../variable/LINK_GROUP_PREDEFINED_FEATURES.txt
- See :ref:`cmake_path(ABSOLUTE_PATH) <ABSOLUTE_PATH>` for more details.
+ Built-in and custom group features are defined in terms of the following
+ variables:
-Variable Queries
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>`
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
+ * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>`
-.. genex:: $<CONFIG>
+ The value used for each of these variables is the value as set at the end of
+ the directory scope in which the target was created. The usage is as follows:
- Configuration name.
+ 1. If the language-specific
+ :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable
+ is true, the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
+ :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
+ 2. If no language-specific ``feature`` is supported, then the
+ :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable must be
+ true and the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
+ :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
-.. genex:: $<CONFIGURATION>
+ The ``LINK_GROUP`` generator expression is compatible with the
+ :genex:`LINK_LIBRARY` generator expression. The libraries involved in a
+ group can be specified using the :genex:`LINK_LIBRARY` generator expression.
- Configuration name. Deprecated since CMake 3.0. Use ``CONFIG`` instead.
+ Each target or external library involved in the link step is allowed to be
+ part of multiple groups, but only if all the groups involved specify the
+ same ``feature``. Such groups will not be merged on the linker command line,
+ the individual groups will still be preserved. Mixing different group
+ features for the same target or library is forbidden.
-.. genex:: $<PLATFORM_ID>
+ .. code-block:: cmake
- The current system's CMake platform id.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME` variable.
+ add_library(lib1 ...)
+ add_library(lib2 ...)
+ add_library(lib3 ...)
+ add_library(lib4 ...)
+ add_library(lib5 ...)
-.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_ID>
+ target_link_libraries(lib3 PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib2>")
+ target_link_libraries(lib4 PRIVATE "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib3>")
+ # lib4 will be linked with the groups {lib1,lib2} and {lib1,lib3}.
+ # Both groups specify the same feature, so this is fine.
- CMake's compiler id of the C compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ target_link_libraries(lib5 PRIVATE "$<LINK_GROUP:feature2,lib1,lib3>")
+ # An error will be raised here because both lib1 and lib3 are part of two
+ # groups with different features.
-.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_ID>
+ When a target or an external library is involved in the link step as part of
+ a group and also as not part of any group, any occurrence of the non-group
+ link item will be replaced by the groups it belongs to.
- CMake's compiler id of the CXX compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ .. code-block:: cmake
-.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_ID>
+ add_library(lib1 ...)
+ add_library(lib2 ...)
+ add_library(lib3 ...)
+ add_library(lib4 ...)
- .. versionadded:: 3.15
+ target_link_libraries(lib3 PUBLIC lib1)
- CMake's compiler id of the CUDA compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ target_link_libraries(lib4 PRIVATE lib3 "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib2>")
+ # lib4 will only be linked with lib3 and the group {lib1,lib2}
-.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_ID>
+ Because ``lib1`` is part of the group defined for ``lib4``, that group then
+ gets applied back to the use of ``lib1`` for ``lib3``. The end result will
+ be as though the linking relationship for ``lib3`` had been specified as:
- .. versionadded:: 3.16
+ .. code-block:: cmake
- CMake's compiler id of the OBJC compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ target_link_libraries(lib3 PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib2>")
-.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_ID>
+ Be aware that the precedence of the group over the non-group link item can
+ result in circular dependencies between groups. If this occurs, a fatal
+ error is raised because circular dependencies are not allowed for groups.
- .. versionadded:: 3.16
+ .. code-block:: cmake
- CMake's compiler id of the OBJCXX compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ add_library(lib1A ...)
+ add_library(lib1B ...)
+ add_library(lib2A ...)
+ add_library(lib2B ...)
+ add_library(lib3 ...)
-.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_ID>
+ # Non-group linking relationships, these are non-circular so far
+ target_link_libraries(lib1A PUBLIC lib2A)
+ target_link_libraries(lib2B PUBLIC lib1B)
- CMake's compiler id of the Fortran compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ # The addition of these groups creates circular dependencies
+ target_link_libraries(lib3 PRIVATE
+ "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib1A,lib1B>"
+ "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib2A,lib2B>"
+ )
-.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_ID>
+ Because of the groups defined for ``lib3``, the linking relationships for
+ ``lib1A`` and ``lib2B`` effectively get expanded to the equivalent of:
- .. versionadded:: 3.21
+ .. code-block:: cmake
- CMake's compiler id of the HIP compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ target_link_libraries(lib1A PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib2A,lib2B>")
+ target_link_libraries(lib2B PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib1A,lib1B>")
-.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_ID>
+ This creates a circular dependency between groups:
+ ``lib1A --> lib2B --> lib1A``.
- .. versionadded:: 3.19
+ The following limitations should also be noted:
- CMake's compiler id of the ISPC compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_ID` variable.
+ * The ``library-list`` can specify CMake targets or libraries.
+ Any CMake target of type :ref:`OBJECT <Object Libraries>`
+ or :ref:`INTERFACE <Interface Libraries>` will ignore the feature aspect
+ of the expression and instead be linked in the standard way.
-.. genex:: $<C_COMPILER_VERSION>
+ * The ``$<LINK_GROUP:...>`` generator expression can only be used to
+ specify link libraries. In practice, this means it can appear in the
+ :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES`, :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES`,and
+ :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES_DIRECT` target properties, and be
+ specified in :command:`target_link_libraries` and :command:`link_libraries`
+ commands.
- The version of the C compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+ * If a ``$<LINK_GROUP:...>`` generator expression appears in the
+ :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES` property of a target, it will be
+ included in the imported target generated by a :command:`install(EXPORT)`
+ command. It is the responsibility of the environment consuming this
+ import to define the link feature used by this expression.
-.. genex:: $<CXX_COMPILER_VERSION>
+Link Context
+^^^^^^^^^^^^
- The version of the CXX compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+.. genex:: $<LINK_ONLY:...>
-.. genex:: $<CUDA_COMPILER_VERSION>
+ .. versionadded:: 3.1
- .. versionadded:: 3.15
+ Content of ``...``, except while collecting :ref:`Target Usage Requirements`,
+ in which case it is the empty string. This is intended for use in an
+ :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES` target property, typically populated
+ via the :command:`target_link_libraries` command, to specify private link
+ dependencies without other usage requirements.
- The version of the CUDA compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.24
+ ``LINK_ONLY`` may also be used in a :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES` target
+ property. See policy :policy:`CMP0131`.
-.. genex:: $<OBJC_COMPILER_VERSION>
+.. genex:: $<DEVICE_LINK:list>
- .. versionadded:: 3.16
+ .. versionadded:: 3.18
- The version of the OBJC compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+ Returns the list if it is the device link step, an empty list otherwise.
+ The device link step is controlled by :prop_tgt:`CUDA_SEPARABLE_COMPILATION`
+ and :prop_tgt:`CUDA_RESOLVE_DEVICE_SYMBOLS` properties and
+ policy :policy:`CMP0105`. This expression can only be used to specify link
+ options.
-.. genex:: $<OBJCXX_COMPILER_VERSION>
+.. genex:: $<HOST_LINK:list>
- .. versionadded:: 3.16
+ .. versionadded:: 3.18
- The version of the OBJCXX compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+ Returns the list if it is the normal link step, an empty list otherwise.
+ This expression is mainly useful when a device link step is also involved
+ (see :genex:`$<DEVICE_LINK:list>` generator expression). This expression can
+ only be used to specify link options.
-.. genex:: $<Fortran_COMPILER_VERSION>
- The version of the Fortran compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+.. _`Target-Dependent Queries`:
-.. genex:: $<HIP_COMPILER_VERSION>
+Target-Dependent Expressions
+----------------------------
- .. versionadded:: 3.21
+These queries refer to a target ``tgt``. Unless otherwise stated, this can
+be any runtime artifact, namely:
- The version of the HIP compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+* An executable target created by :command:`add_executable`.
+* A shared library target (``.so``, ``.dll`` but not their ``.lib`` import
+ library) created by :command:`add_library`.
+* A static library target created by :command:`add_library`.
-.. genex:: $<ISPC_COMPILER_VERSION>
+In the following, the phrase "the ``tgt`` filename" means the name of the
+``tgt`` binary file. This has to be distinguished from the phrase
+"the target name", which is just the string ``tgt``.
- .. versionadded:: 3.19
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_EXISTS:tgt>
- The version of the ISPC compiler used.
- See also the :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_COMPILER_VERSION` variable.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.12
-.. genex:: $<COMPILE_LANGUAGE>
+ ``1`` if ``tgt`` exists as a CMake target, else ``0``.
- .. versionadded:: 3.3
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_NAME_IF_EXISTS:tgt>
- The compile language of source files when evaluating compile options.
- See :ref:`the related boolean expression
- <Boolean COMPILE_LANGUAGE Generator Expression>`
- ``$<COMPILE_LANGUAGE:language>``
- for notes about the portability of this generator expression.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.12
-.. genex:: $<LINK_LANGUAGE>
+ The target name ``tgt`` if the target exists, an empty string otherwise.
- .. versionadded:: 3.18
+ Note that ``tgt`` is not added as a dependency of the target this
+ expression is evaluated on.
- The link language of the target when evaluating link options.
- See :ref:`the related boolean expression
- <Boolean LINK_LANGUAGE Generator Expression>` ``$<LINK_LANGUAGE:language>``
- for notes about the portability of this generator expression.
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_NAME:...>
- .. note::
+ Marks ``...`` as being the name of a target. This is required if exporting
+ targets to multiple dependent export sets. The ``...`` must be a literal
+ name of a target, it may not contain generator expressions.
- This generator expression is not supported by the link libraries
- properties to avoid side-effects due to the double evaluation of
- these properties.
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:tgt,prop>
-.. _`Target-Dependent Queries`:
+ Value of the property ``prop`` on the target ``tgt``.
-Target-Dependent Queries
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+ Note that ``tgt`` is not added as a dependency of the target this
+ expression is evaluated on.
-These queries refer to a target ``tgt``. This can be any runtime artifact,
-namely:
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:prop>
-* an executable target created by :command:`add_executable`
-* a shared library target (``.so``, ``.dll`` but not their ``.lib`` import library)
- created by :command:`add_library`
-* a static library target created by :command:`add_library`
+ Value of the property ``prop`` on the target for which the expression
+ is being evaluated. Note that for generator expressions in
+ :ref:`Target Usage Requirements` this is the consuming target rather
+ than the target specifying the requirement.
-In the following, "the ``tgt`` filename" means the name of the ``tgt``
-binary file. This has to be distinguished from "the target name",
-which is just the string ``tgt``.
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_OBJECTS:tgt>
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_NAME_IF_EXISTS:tgt>
+ .. versionadded:: 3.1
- .. versionadded:: 3.12
+ List of objects resulting from building ``tgt``. This would typically be
+ used on :ref:`object library <Object Libraries>` targets.
- The target name ``tgt`` if the target exists, an empty string otherwise.
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_POLICY:policy>
- Note that ``tgt`` is not added as a dependency of the target this
- expression is evaluated on.
+ ``1`` if the ``policy`` was ``NEW`` when the 'head' target was created,
+ else ``0``. If the ``policy`` was not set, the warning message for the policy
+ will be emitted. This generator expression only works for a subset of
+ policies.
.. genex:: $<TARGET_FILE:tgt>
@@ -1306,20 +1560,6 @@ which is just the string ``tgt``.
Note that ``tgt`` is not added as a dependency of the target this
expression is evaluated on (see policy :policy:`CMP0112`).
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:tgt,prop>
-
- Value of the property ``prop`` on the target ``tgt``.
-
- Note that ``tgt`` is not added as a dependency of the target this
- expression is evaluated on.
-
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:prop>
-
- Value of the property ``prop`` on the target for which the expression
- is being evaluated. Note that for generator expressions in
- :ref:`Target Usage Requirements` this is the consuming target rather
- than the target specifying the requirement.
-
.. genex:: $<TARGET_RUNTIME_DLLS:tgt>
.. versionadded:: 3.21
@@ -1343,7 +1583,7 @@ which is just the string ``tgt``.
add_custom_command(TARGET exe POST_BUILD
COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy $<TARGET_RUNTIME_DLLS:exe> $<TARGET_FILE_DIR:exe>
COMMAND_EXPAND_LISTS
- )
+ )
.. note::
@@ -1354,346 +1594,100 @@ which is just the string ``tgt``.
section for details. Many :ref:`Find Modules` produce imported targets
with the ``UNKNOWN`` type and therefore will be ignored.
-.. genex:: $<INSTALL_PREFIX>
- Content of the install prefix when the target is exported via
- :command:`install(EXPORT)`, or when evaluated in the
- :prop_tgt:`INSTALL_NAME_DIR` property or the ``INSTALL_NAME_DIR`` argument of
- :command:`install(RUNTIME_DEPENDENCY_SET)`, and empty otherwise.
-
-Output-Related Expressions
-^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_NAME:...>
-
- Marks ``...`` as being the name of a target. This is required if exporting
- targets to multiple dependent export sets. The ``...`` must be a literal
- name of a target, it may not contain generator expressions.
-
-.. genex:: $<LINK_ONLY:...>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.1
-
- Content of ``...``, except while collecting :ref:`Target Usage Requirements`,
- in which case it is the empty string. This is intended for use in an
- :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES` target property, typically populated
- via the :command:`target_link_libraries` command, to specify private link
- dependencies without other usage requirements.
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
- ``LINK_ONLY`` may also be used in a :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES` target
- property. See policy :policy:`CMP0131`.
-
-.. genex:: $<DEVICE_LINK:list>
+Export And Install Expressions
+------------------------------
- .. versionadded:: 3.18
-
- Returns the list if it is the device link step, an empty list otherwise.
- The device link step is controlled by :prop_tgt:`CUDA_SEPARABLE_COMPILATION`
- and :prop_tgt:`CUDA_RESOLVE_DEVICE_SYMBOLS` properties and
- policy :policy:`CMP0105`. This expression can only be used to specify link
- options.
-
-.. genex:: $<HOST_LINK:list>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.18
-
- Returns the list if it is the normal link step, an empty list otherwise.
- This expression is mainly useful when a device link step is also involved
- (see :genex:`$<DEVICE_LINK:list>` generator expression). This expression can
- only be used to specify link options.
-
-.. genex:: $<LINK_LIBRARY:feature,library-list>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
-
- Specify a set of libraries to link to a target, along with a ``feature``
- which provides details about *how* they should be linked. For example:
-
- .. code-block:: cmake
-
- add_library(lib1 STATIC ...)
- add_library(lib2 ...)
- target_link_libraries(lib2 PRIVATE "$<LINK_LIBRARY:WHOLE_ARCHIVE,lib1>")
-
- This specifies that ``lib2`` should link to ``lib1`` and use the
- ``WHOLE_ARCHIVE`` feature when doing so.
-
- Feature names are case-sensitive and may only contain letters, numbers and
- underscores. Feature names defined in all uppercase are reserved for CMake's
- own built-in features. The pre-defined built-in library features are:
-
- .. include:: ../variable/LINK_LIBRARY_PREDEFINED_FEATURES.txt
-
- Built-in and custom library features are defined in terms of the following
- variables:
-
- * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
- * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>`
- * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
- * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>`
-
- The value used for each of these variables is the value as set at the end of
- the directory scope in which the target was created. The usage is as follows:
-
- 1. If the language-specific
- :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable
- is true, the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
- :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
- 2. If no language-specific ``feature`` is supported, then the
- :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable must be
- true and the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
- :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_LIBRARY_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
-
- The following limitations should be noted:
-
- * The ``library-list`` can specify CMake targets or libraries.
- Any CMake target of type :ref:`OBJECT <Object Libraries>`
- or :ref:`INTERFACE <Interface Libraries>` will ignore the feature aspect
- of the expression and instead be linked in the standard way.
-
- * The ``$<LINK_LIBRARY:...>`` generator expression can only be used to
- specify link libraries. In practice, this means it can appear in the
- :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES`, :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES`, and
- :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES_DIRECT` target properties, and be
- specified in :command:`target_link_libraries` and :command:`link_libraries`
- commands.
-
- * If a ``$<LINK_LIBRARY:...>`` generator expression appears in the
- :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES` property of a target, it will be
- included in the imported target generated by a :command:`install(EXPORT)`
- command. It is the responsibility of the environment consuming this
- import to define the link feature used by this expression.
-
- * Each target or library involved in the link step must have at most only
- one kind of library feature. The absence of a feature is also incompatible
- with all other features. For example:
-
- .. code-block:: cmake
-
- add_library(lib1 ...)
- add_library(lib2 ...)
- add_library(lib3 ...)
-
- # lib1 will be associated with feature1
- target_link_libraries(lib2 PUBLIC "$<LINK_LIBRARY:feature1,lib1>")
-
- # lib1 is being linked with no feature here. This conflicts with the
- # use of feature1 in the line above and would result in an error.
- target_link_libraries(lib3 PRIVATE lib1 lib2)
-
- Where it isn't possible to use the same feature throughout a build for a
- given target or library, the :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARY_OVERRIDE` and
- :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARY_OVERRIDE_<LIBRARY>` target properties can be
- used to resolve such incompatibilities.
-
- * The ``$<LINK_LIBRARY:...>`` generator expression does not guarantee
- that the list of specified targets and libraries will be kept grouped
- together. To manage constructs like ``--start-group`` and ``--end-group``,
- as supported by the GNU ``ld`` linker, use the :genex:`LINK_GROUP`
- generator expression instead.
-
-.. genex:: $<LINK_GROUP:feature,library-list>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.24
-
- Specify a group of libraries to link to a target, along with a ``feature``
- which defines how that group should be linked. For example:
-
- .. code-block:: cmake
-
- add_library(lib1 STATIC ...)
- add_library(lib2 ...)
- target_link_libraries(lib2 PRIVATE "$<LINK_GROUP:RESCAN,lib1,external>")
-
- This specifies that ``lib2`` should link to ``lib1`` and ``external``, and
- that both of those two libraries should be included on the linker command
- line according to the definition of the ``RESCAN`` feature.
+.. genex:: $<INSTALL_INTERFACE:...>
- Feature names are case-sensitive and may only contain letters, numbers and
- underscores. Feature names defined in all uppercase are reserved for CMake's
- own built-in features. Currently, there is only one pre-defined built-in
- group feature:
+ Content of ``...`` when the property is exported using
+ :command:`install(EXPORT)`, and empty otherwise.
- .. include:: ../variable/LINK_GROUP_PREDEFINED_FEATURES.txt
+.. genex:: $<BUILD_INTERFACE:...>
- Built-in and custom group features are defined in terms of the following
- variables:
+ Content of ``...`` when the property is exported using :command:`export`, or
+ when the target is used by another target in the same buildsystem. Expands to
+ the empty string otherwise.
- * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
- * :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>`
- * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED`
- * :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>`
+.. genex:: $<INSTALL_PREFIX>
- The value used for each of these variables is the value as set at the end of
- the directory scope in which the target was created. The usage is as follows:
+ Content of the install prefix when the target is exported via
+ :command:`install(EXPORT)`, or when evaluated in the
+ :prop_tgt:`INSTALL_NAME_DIR` property or the ``INSTALL_NAME_DIR`` argument of
+ :command:`install(RUNTIME_DEPENDENCY_SET)`, and empty otherwise.
- 1. If the language-specific
- :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable
- is true, the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
- :variable:`CMAKE_<LANG>_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
- 2. If no language-specific ``feature`` is supported, then the
- :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>_SUPPORTED` variable must be
- true and the ``feature`` must be defined by the corresponding
- :variable:`CMAKE_LINK_GROUP_USING_<FEATURE>` variable.
+Multi-level Expression Evaluation
+---------------------------------
- The ``LINK_GROUP`` generator expression is compatible with the
- :genex:`LINK_LIBRARY` generator expression. The libraries involved in a
- group can be specified using the :genex:`LINK_LIBRARY` generator expression.
+.. genex:: $<GENEX_EVAL:expr>
- Each target or external library involved in the link step is allowed to be
- part of multiple groups, but only if all the groups involved specify the
- same ``feature``. Such groups will not be merged on the linker command line,
- the individual groups will still be preserved. Mixing different group
- features for the same target or library is forbidden.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.12
- .. code-block:: cmake
+ Content of ``expr`` evaluated as a generator expression in the current
+ context. This enables consumption of generator expressions whose
+ evaluation results itself in generator expressions.
- add_library(lib1 ...)
- add_library(lib2 ...)
- add_library(lib3 ...)
- add_library(lib4 ...)
- add_library(lib5 ...)
+.. genex:: $<TARGET_GENEX_EVAL:tgt,expr>
- target_link_libraries(lib3 PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib2>")
- target_link_libraries(lib4 PRIVATE "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib3>")
- # lib4 will be linked with the groups {lib1,lib2} and {lib1,lib3}.
- # Both groups specify the same feature, so this is fine.
+ .. versionadded:: 3.12
- target_link_libraries(lib5 PRIVATE "$<LINK_GROUP:feature2,lib1,lib3>")
- # An error will be raised here because both lib1 and lib3 are part of two
- # groups with different features.
+ Content of ``expr`` evaluated as a generator expression in the context of
+ ``tgt`` target. This enables consumption of custom target properties that
+ themselves contain generator expressions.
- When a target or an external library is involved in the link step as part of
- a group and also as not part of any group, any occurrence of the non-group
- link item will be replaced by the groups it belongs to.
+ Having the capability to evaluate generator expressions is very useful when
+ you want to manage custom properties supporting generator expressions.
+ For example:
.. code-block:: cmake
- add_library(lib1 ...)
- add_library(lib2 ...)
- add_library(lib3 ...)
- add_library(lib4 ...)
-
- target_link_libraries(lib3 PUBLIC lib1)
-
- target_link_libraries(lib4 PRIVATE lib3 "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib2>")
- # lib4 will only be linked with lib3 and the group {lib1,lib2}
+ add_library(foo ...)
- Because ``lib1`` is part of the group defined for ``lib4``, that group then
- gets applied back to the use of ``lib1`` for ``lib3``. The end result will
- be as though the linking relationship for ``lib3`` had been specified as:
+ set_property(TARGET foo PROPERTY
+ CUSTOM_KEYS $<$<CONFIG:DEBUG>:FOO_EXTRA_THINGS>
+ )
- .. code-block:: cmake
+ add_custom_target(printFooKeys
+ COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E echo $<TARGET_PROPERTY:foo,CUSTOM_KEYS>
+ )
- target_link_libraries(lib3 PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feature1,lib1,lib2>")
+ This naive implementation of the ``printFooKeys`` custom command is wrong
+ because ``CUSTOM_KEYS`` target property is not evaluated and the content
+ is passed as is (i.e. ``$<$<CONFIG:DEBUG>:FOO_EXTRA_THINGS>``).
- Be aware that the precedence of the group over the non-group link item can
- result in circular dependencies between groups. If this occurs, a fatal
- error is raised because circular dependencies are not allowed for groups.
+ To have the expected result (i.e. ``FOO_EXTRA_THINGS`` if config is
+ ``Debug``), it is required to evaluate the output of
+ ``$<TARGET_PROPERTY:foo,CUSTOM_KEYS>``:
.. code-block:: cmake
- add_library(lib1A ...)
- add_library(lib1B ...)
- add_library(lib2A ...)
- add_library(lib2B ...)
- add_library(lib3 ...)
-
- # Non-group linking relationships, these are non-circular so far
- target_link_libraries(lib1A PUBLIC lib2A)
- target_link_libraries(lib2B PUBLIC lib1B)
-
- # The addition of these groups creates circular dependencies
- target_link_libraries(lib3 PRIVATE
- "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib1A,lib1B>"
- "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib2A,lib2B>"
+ add_custom_target(printFooKeys
+ COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E
+ echo $<TARGET_GENEX_EVAL:foo,$<TARGET_PROPERTY:foo,CUSTOM_KEYS>>
)
- Because of the groups defined for ``lib3``, the linking relationships for
- ``lib1A`` and ``lib2B`` effectively get expanded to the equivalent of:
-
- .. code-block:: cmake
-
- target_link_libraries(lib1A PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib2A,lib2B>")
- target_link_libraries(lib2B PUBLIC "$<LINK_GROUP:feat,lib1A,lib1B>")
-
- This creates a circular dependency between groups:
- ``lib1A --> lib2B --> lib1A``.
-
- The following limitations should also be noted:
-
- * The ``library-list`` can specify CMake targets or libraries.
- Any CMake target of type :ref:`OBJECT <Object Libraries>`
- or :ref:`INTERFACE <Interface Libraries>` will ignore the feature aspect
- of the expression and instead be linked in the standard way.
-
- * The ``$<LINK_GROUP:...>`` generator expression can only be used to
- specify link libraries. In practice, this means it can appear in the
- :prop_tgt:`LINK_LIBRARIES`, :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES`,and
- :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES_DIRECT` target properties, and be
- specified in :command:`target_link_libraries` and :command:`link_libraries`
- commands.
-
- * If a ``$<LINK_GROUP:...>`` generator expression appears in the
- :prop_tgt:`INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES` property of a target, it will be
- included in the imported target generated by a :command:`install(EXPORT)`
- command. It is the responsibility of the environment consuming this
- import to define the link feature used by this expression.
-
-.. genex:: $<INSTALL_INTERFACE:...>
-
- Content of ``...`` when the property is exported using
- :command:`install(EXPORT)`, and empty otherwise.
-
-.. genex:: $<BUILD_INTERFACE:...>
-
- Content of ``...`` when the property is exported using :command:`export`, or
- when the target is used by another target in the same buildsystem. Expands to
- the empty string otherwise.
-
-.. genex:: $<MAKE_C_IDENTIFIER:...>
-
- Content of ``...`` converted to a C identifier. The conversion follows the
- same behavior as :command:`string(MAKE_C_IDENTIFIER)`.
-
-.. genex:: $<TARGET_OBJECTS:objLib>
-
- .. versionadded:: 3.1
-
- List of objects resulting from build of ``objLib``.
+Escaped Characters
+------------------
-.. genex:: $<SHELL_PATH:...>
+These expressions evaluate to specific string literals. Use them in place of
+the actual string literal where you need to prevent them from having their
+special meaning.
- .. versionadded:: 3.4
+.. genex:: $<ANGLE-R>
- Content of ``...`` converted to shell path style. For example, slashes are
- converted to backslashes in Windows shells and drive letters are converted
- to posix paths in MSYS shells. The ``...`` must be an absolute path.
+ A literal ``>``. Used for example to compare strings that contain a ``>``.
- .. versionadded:: 3.14
- The ``...`` may be a :ref:`semicolon-separated list <CMake Language Lists>`
- of paths, in which case each path is converted individually and a result
- list is generated using the shell path separator (``:`` on POSIX and
- ``;`` on Windows). Be sure to enclose the argument containing this genex
- in double quotes in CMake source code so that ``;`` does not split arguments.
+.. genex:: $<COMMA>
-.. genex:: $<OUTPUT_CONFIG:...>
+ A literal ``,``. Used for example to compare strings which contain a ``,``.
- .. versionadded:: 3.20
+.. genex:: $<SEMICOLON>
- Only valid in :command:`add_custom_command` and :command:`add_custom_target`
- as the outer-most generator expression in an argument.
- With the :generator:`Ninja Multi-Config` generator, generator expressions
- in ``...`` are evaluated using the custom command's "output config".
- With other generators, the content of ``...`` is evaluated normally.
+ A literal ``;``. Used to prevent list expansion on an argument with ``;``.
-.. genex:: $<COMMAND_CONFIG:...>
+Deprecated Expressions
+----------------------
- .. versionadded:: 3.20
+.. genex:: $<CONFIGURATION>
- Only valid in :command:`add_custom_command` and :command:`add_custom_target`
- as the outer-most generator expression in an argument.
- With the :generator:`Ninja Multi-Config` generator, generator expressions
- in ``...`` are evaluated using the custom command's "command config".
- With other generators, the content of ``...`` is evaluated normally.
+ Configuration name. Deprecated since CMake 3.0. Use :genex:`CONFIG` instead.