CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++cmakevcpkg
aks
aks

Reputation: 51

Cmake question: How do I use vcpkg to install dependencies automatically?

I'm working on c++ project on a linux machine and it uses several boost libraries. I've installed them on my system using vcpkg and build it using the toolchain provided by vcpkg. My question is: How do I define the dependencies so that they automatically install on a different system, if they were to build it? Conan has a way of doing it by defining the dependencies in conanfile.txt. How do I do the same with vcpkg?

Edit1: I've found autovcpkg which does the job I'm looking to do but can the same be done natively inside cmakelists.txt or by vcpkg itself?

Upvotes: 3

Views: 4507

Answers (2)

cmannett85
cmannett85

Reputation: 22346

If you have vcpkg as a submodule for your project, define a manifest for the libraries you want vcpkg to build, and are using the vcpkg CMake toolchain - then you will get everything you want.

  1. Adding vcpkg as a submodule means that your users don't need to install it themselves, the CMake toolchain will install it on your behalf. It also means that you can fix the package versions
  2. Using a manifest file is how you programmatically tell vcpkg which packages to get and build during a CMake configuration phase
  3. Using a CMake toolchain file is the only way to tie this into your project's build system
$ git clone .../my_project
$ cd ./my_project
$ git submodule update --init
$ mkdir ../build
$ cd ../build
$ cmake ../my_project
-- Running vcpkg install
-- Running vcpkg install - done
...

Upvotes: 2

Alexander Neumann
Alexander Neumann

Reputation: 2018

I've found autovcpkg which does the job I'm looking to do but can the same be done natively inside cmakelists.txt or by vcpkg itself?

You can write a vcpkg port for your library or executable by providing a CONTROL and portfile.cmake file. In the CONTROL file you define all the dependencies and possible features while the portfile contains the build instruction. You can use vcpkg create <myport> <url> <filename> to create the CONTROL and portfile.cmake from a template which can be customized to your needs. Together with a port-overlay this port can also be used by others without being merged into vcpkg/master

Upvotes: 2

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