How Can I Properly Manage Header Dependencies in CMake?

Understanding CMake's Handling of Header Dependencies

When dealing with header file dependencies in CMake, it's crucial to address the assumption that CMake may perceive them as external to the project. This can lead to issues where headers are not adequately included or tracked in the generated build system.

Resolving the Issue

To properly integrate header files into your CMake project, follow these steps:

1. Add the Header Directory:

   • Use target_include_directories(test PRIVATE ${YOUR_DIRECTORY}) to specify the directory containing the headers.
   • Alternatively, if using an older CMake version, use include_directories(${YOUR_DIRECTORY}) instead.

2. Include Headers in Source List:

   • Add the header files to the list of source files for the current target using set(SOURCES file.cpp file2.cpp ${YOUR_DIRECTORY}/file1.h ${YOUR_DIRECTORY}/file2.h).

By implementing these steps, the header files will be treated as project dependencies, appearing in the Makefile and any generated project files (e.g., for Visual Studio).

Handling Headers for Multiple Targets

To share header files across multiple targets, consider the following example:

• Create a HEADER_FILES variable containing the paths to the headers.
• Add the headers to the list of source files for each target.
• Set the target's include directories to include the header directory using target_include_directories(mylib PRIVATE ${YOUR_DIRECTORY}).

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