设置我的源代码，建立目录并制作工具

Question

I am trying to set up a new C++ project. I am trying to achieve the following:

1. Source is under ~/repo/source/
2. Built files go to ~/repo/build/...
3. ~/repo/source should remain as clean as possible, at least I should be able to ignore any files that are written there using .gitignore entries
4. I can build from any directory under ~/repo/source (eg I can call "mymake" from under ~/repo/source/project1/lib1), and it will build and put the binaries under ~/repo/build
5. I can build debug or release binaries, and they go to their respective directories. eg "mymake --config=debug" or something similar.

This seems like the setup I have seen in every tech company I have worked for. I don't know enough about make tools though to do this. Can I use cmake to achieve the above? Many thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Can I use cmake to achieve the above?

yes:

1. -
2. Yes, assuming that your CMakeLists.txt is in ~/repo/source/ , you run either cmake ../source from ~/repo/build/ (or absolute path) dir or use the gui with that path. But normaly the build is placed within your project ( ~/repo/source/build ) and eg. added to git ignore since it's not designated for sharing. Just run cmake .. from there.
3. No problem, all local / generated files are within the build dir (see #2); add this to .gitignore . For sharing your project: just don't share build .
4. You have to run cmake with the path where your root CMakeLists.txt is. But: child-dirs can have their own lists.
5. Yes.