Switching to CMake

[Laurent]

Hi

I'd like to know your opinion about using CMake as the build system for SFML. I've hesitated for a long time, but it would really make things much easier for me.

Here is a list of cool things about CMake:
- I can make a new release (compiling + packaging for all compilers) in one click, thus I'd be able to release more versions, more often
- No more unsupported compilers/IDEs (like VC++ 2010, MinGW makefiles, Eclipse project files, Borland workspaces, ..)
- No more troubles with the supported compilers/IDEs
- Users can customize their own build options (compile only some modules, disable samples, ...)
- Dependencies auto-detected, and you get a clear error message at configure-time if one of them is missing

The main drawback, of course, is that all the users that regularly compile SFML from sources will have to install CMake and use it
For those compiling with an IDE, the generated projects are not very "attractive" and look very messy, but in my opinion when you build with CMake you don't need to use the IDE anymore.

So what do you think ?

[TheBoff]

If it will make it easier to compiler in VC++ 2010, by all means go for it

I can't imagine that it's that much effort to install + use cmake: it even seems to have a gui on windows!

[Laurent]

I can't imagine that it's that much effort to install + use cmake: it even seems to have a gui on windows!

Yes it does.

Plus, you only need to go through the configuration step once: if the config changes, CMake will automatically be invoked to update the build files the next time you compile.

[pdusen]

I've been using CMake for my projects for over a year now, and I heartily recommend it. It is by far the least painful, most cross-platform build system I've ever used.

If you're switching to CMake, does that mean you're going to provide a FindSFML.cmake module for people developing SFML-based projects with CMake to use?

[Laurent]

If you're switching to CMake, does that mean you're going to provide a FindSFML.cmake module for people developing SFML-based projects with CMake to use?

It already exists
http://www.sfml-dev.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15753#15753

[pdusen]

If you're switching to CMake, does that mean you're going to provide a FindSFML.cmake module for people developing SFML-based projects with CMake to use?

It already exists
http://www.sfml-dev.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15753#15753

Ah, that it does. I'm actually using that one now, I just didn't know if you had plans to create an "official" one. I suppose there isn't much need, though.

[JannoT]

Go with cmake, especially if it would make life easier for you.  I too use cmake for personal projects. cmake is most sane build system there is.

[christoph]

CMake gives me a more common interface (apart from make ; make install sfml is -- well a bit custom)

[Spodi]

If its easier for you, I say go for it! I know what its like to work in a development environment you're not too happy with. Makes you just not want to write anything.

[nulloid]

+1 vote for cmake It sounds far too great to miss it

[Tank]

*sign*

[Gio]

Hi,

I have sadly seen many libraries for game development that were not updated for Visual C++ 2010 and that the automatic converter did not work on. However, with CMake, I have been able to update these older libraries for my compiler with no problems at all!
SFML, unfortunately, has the inability to work with Visual C++ 2010 Properly even though the converter does work on it.  I genuinely believe CMake support could fix this problem. I hope to see it in the next edition of SFML.

[Svenstaro]

Oh dear yes, please switch to CMake! I wondered why you still bothered with all those manual project files. I offer my help in setting up the project with CMake if you get stuck.

[Svenstaro]

Any progress on this? SVN doesn't appear to have any changes related to this.

[Laurent]

Any progress on this?

Yes, I'm still working on it.

SVN doesn't appear to have any changes related to this.

It won't until it is completely done