🚥 3 tips for using CMake with embedded software

CMake, an open-source and cross-platform tool, allows for efficient control over the software compilation process through platform-independent configuration files, generating native makefiles suitable for any compiler environment. This versatility makes CMake a valuable tool for managing complex build environments.

☑️Use Toolchain Files to Simplify Build Configuration:
➡️Different build types (Debug On-Target, Release On-Target, Simulation, Test, and Code Analysis) need specific configurations.
➡️Toolchain files help manage these variations, facilitating cross-compilation and implementation swaps.
➡️Typically, two toolchain files (host and on-target builds) are sufficient.

☑️Automate Build Commands with Custom Scripts:
➡️Avoid memorizing long CMake commands by encapsulating them in scripts.
➡️Custom scripts simplify the build process and reduce errors.
➡️Scripts can include parameters for toolchain files, build types, and other settings, making them useful in CI/CD systems.

☑️Pair CMake with Ninja for Faster Builds:
➡️Ninja is a high-speed build system focused on efficiency.
➡️Using Ninja with CMake can result in x4 to x6 times faster compilation times compared to traditional tools like Make.
➡️Simple setup commands integrate Ninja into the build process, significantly reducing build times and improving development efficiency.

Implementing these tips can streamline the build process for embedded software, making development faster, more efficient, and better suited to modern development practices.

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