Include third party libraries in source tree

Question

My CMake C++ project depends on several commercial libraries (only libs and headers are available). I want an easy way to include these packages in my source tree.

I have tried the following options:

1. Use svn:externals and provide these libraries in a thirdparty folder of the source tree. Pros: easy. Cons: slow download, all or nothing.
2. Has a README file detailing what package is required for what option in my CMake. Developers will have to download and unpack to the right place. Pros: fast download, select only the package necessary. Cons: complicated.

Is there a way for me to deploy these packages to the developers automatically?

The workflow that I want:

1. Developer choose an option in CMake eg USE_LIBRARY_A
2. Developer hit Configure
3. Package is downloaded and put in the right place in the source tree
4. Developer hit Generate
5. Solution/Makefile is ready for compilation

I guess what I want is similar to easy_install in Python or rubygems in Ruby.

Answer 1

The desired workflow can be achieved by adding the third party libraries as CMake external projects .

The ExternalProject_Add command lets you automatically download, build and install third-party libraries.