How to Reorder the Include Path In Cmake?

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In CMake, the include path can be reordered by using the include_directories() function. This function allows you to specify a list of directories that should be searched for header files when compiling your project. By calling include_directories() multiple times with different directories, you can control the order in which the directories are searched. This can be useful if you have conflicting header files in different directories and want to ensure that the correct ones are included. Additionally, you can also use the target_include_directories() function to specify include paths on a per-target basis, allowing you to customize the include path for specific targets in your project.


How to improve build performance by optimizing the include path order in CMake?

One way to improve build performance in CMake by optimizing the include path order is by organizing the include directories in a way that prioritizes common and frequently used directories at the beginning of the list. This can help the compiler to quickly locate the necessary header files without having to search through multiple directories.


Here are some strategies to optimize the include path order in CMake:

  1. Group related include directories together: Organize include directories based on their relevance to each other. Grouping related include directories together can help the compiler to quickly locate and access the necessary header files.
  2. Place commonly used include directories at the beginning: Identify and prioritize the include directories that are frequently used in your project and place them at the beginning of the list. This can help reduce the search time for the compiler to find the necessary header files.
  3. Use target-specific include directories: Use target-specific include directories to specify the include paths for individual targets. This can help to avoid unnecessary include paths for targets that do not require them.
  4. Use target-specific include directories: Use target-specific include directories to specify the include paths for individual targets. This can help to avoid unnecessary include paths for targets that do not require them.
  5. Minimize the number of include directories: Try to minimize the number of include directories in your project by removing any unnecessary or redundant directories. This can help to simplify the include path order and improve build performance.


By optimizing the include path order in CMake, you can effectively improve build performance and streamline the compilation process for your project.


What is the default order of include paths in CMake?

The default order of include paths in CMake is as follows:

  1. Current source directory (CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR)
  2. Current binary directory (CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR)


These paths are added automatically by CMake and do not need to be explicitly specified in the include_directories() command.


What is the significance of consistent include path ordering across all targets in CMake?

Consistent include path ordering across all targets in CMake is important because it ensures that the dependencies between different targets are properly resolved. When including directories in CMake, the order in which directories are listed can affect the way CMake searches for headers and libraries. If the include path ordering is not consistent across all targets, it can result in unexpected build errors, missing dependencies, or incorrect linking of libraries.


By maintaining a consistent include path ordering, developers can ensure that the build process is predictable and reliable. This can help prevent issues related to header file conflicts, linking errors, and other unexpected behavior that can arise when dependencies are not resolved correctly. Overall, consistent include path ordering can help streamline the build process and make it easier to manage and maintain complex CMake projects.

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