How to Use Wildcard In Cmake Install?

In CMake, wildcards can be used to specify multiple files to install without explicitly listing each file. This can be useful when the exact filenames are not known or when there are many files to be installed.

To use wildcards in cmake install, you can simply specify the wildcard pattern in the SOURCE argument of the install command. For example, if you want to install all files with a .txt extension in a directory, you can use the following syntax:

1

install(FILES *.txt DESTINATION some_directory)

This will install all files with a .txt extension in the current directory to the specified destination directory.

Alternatively, you can also use the GLOB command to generate a list of files matching a wildcard pattern and then pass this list to the install command. For example:

1
2

file(GLOB files *.txt)
install(FILES ${files} DESTINATION some_directory)

Using wildcards in cmake install can make it easier to automate the installation of files without having to specify each file manually. However, it is important to be cautious when using wildcards to ensure that only the desired files are included in the installation.

What is the impact of using wildcard on the installation process in cmake?

Using a wildcard in the installation process in CMake allows for specifying a group of files to be installed without explicitly listing each file individually. This can save time and effort, especially for projects with many files that need to be installed.

However, using wildcards can also introduce some challenges. For example, it may be difficult to predict exactly which files will be installed, as the wildcard will match any file that fits the specified pattern. This can lead to unexpected behavior if files are added or removed from the source directory.

Additionally, using wildcards may make it harder to control the installation process, as it may be more difficult to specify specific installation directories or handle exceptions for certain files.

Overall, using wildcards in the installation process can be a convenient way to quickly install a group of files, but it is important to carefully consider the potential pitfalls and limitations.

How to handle file name conflicts when using wildcard in cmake install?

When using wildcards in CMake install commands, there is a possibility of file name conflicts if multiple files match the wildcard pattern and are installed in the same directory. To handle file name conflicts in such cases, you can follow the following approaches:

1. Use the COMPONENT option in the install command to specify different logical groups for the installed files. This will help in organizing the installed files into separate directories based on their components, thereby preventing conflicts.

1
2

install(FILES *.txt DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/my_directory COMPONENT config)
install(FILES *.jpg DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/my_directory COMPONENT images)

1. Use the EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL option in the install command to exclude specific files from being installed by a wildcard pattern. This can help in filtering out conflicting files that you want to exclude from the installation.

1

install(FILES *.txt DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/my_directory EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL)

1. Manually specify the list of files to install instead of using wildcards. By explicitly listing the files to be installed, you have better control over the installation process and can avoid conflicts.

1

install(FILES file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/my_directory)

By following these approaches, you can effectively handle file name conflicts when using wildcards in CMake install commands.

What is the performance overhead of using wildcard in cmake install?

There is generally minimal performance overhead when using a wildcard in a CMake install command. The wildcard is used to specify all files matching a certain pattern to be installed, which can make it easier to include multiple files without having to list them all individually.

However, using a wildcard may result in slightly longer install times as CMake needs to resolve the wildcard pattern and find all matching files. This process may be negligible for small projects, but for larger projects with complex directory structures, the performance impact could be more noticeable.

In general, the use of wildcards in CMake install commands should not significantly impact performance and can provide a convenient way to include multiple files in the installation process.

What are some alternative methods to using wildcard in cmake install?

1. Use file(GLOB) to list files explicitly in the CMakeLists.txt file.
2. Use file(COPY) to copy files from a source directory to a destination directory.
3. Use a custom function or macro to install files with specific patterns or criteria.
4. Use install(DIRECTORY) to install entire directories instead of individual files with wildcards.
5. Use configure_file to generate files with variable substitutions during the installation process.
6. Use external build tools or scripts to perform the installation of specific files or directories.