CMake/Help/command/add_executable.rst

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add_executable
--------------
Add an executable to the project using the specified source files.
::
add_executable(<name> [WIN32] [MACOSX_BUNDLE]
[EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL]
source1 [source2 ...])
Adds an executable target called ``<name>`` to be built from the source
files listed in the command invocation. The ``<name>`` corresponds to the
logical target name and must be globally unique within a project. The
actual file name of the executable built is constructed based on
conventions of the native platform (such as ``<name>.exe`` or just
``<name>``.
By default the executable file will be created in the build tree
directory corresponding to the source tree directory in which the
command was invoked. See documentation of the
:prop_tgt:`RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY` target property to change this
location. See documentation of the :prop_tgt:`OUTPUT_NAME` target property
to change the ``<name>`` part of the final file name.
If ``WIN32`` is given the property :prop_tgt:`WIN32_EXECUTABLE` will be
set on the target created. See documentation of that target property for
details.
If ``MACOSX_BUNDLE`` is given the corresponding property will be set on
the created target. See documentation of the :prop_tgt:`MACOSX_BUNDLE`
target property for details.
If ``EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL`` is given the corresponding property will be set on
the created target. See documentation of the :prop_tgt:`EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL`
target property for details.
Source arguments to ``add_executable`` may use "generator expressions" with
the syntax ``$<...>``. See the :manual:`cmake-generator-expressions(7)`
manual for available expressions. See the :manual:`cmake-buildsystem(7)`
manual for more on defining buildsystem properties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
::
add_executable(<name> IMPORTED [GLOBAL])
An :ref:`IMPORTED executable target <Imported Targets>` references an
executable file located outside the project. No rules are generated to
build it, and the :prop_tgt:`IMPORTED` target property is ``True``. The
target name has scope in the directory in which it is created and below, but
the ``GLOBAL`` option extends visibility. It may be referenced like any
target built within the project. ``IMPORTED`` executables are useful
for convenient reference from commands like :command:`add_custom_command`.
Details about the imported executable are specified by setting properties
whose names begin in ``IMPORTED_``. The most important such property is
:prop_tgt:`IMPORTED_LOCATION` (and its per-configuration version
:prop_tgt:`IMPORTED_LOCATION_<CONFIG>`) which specifies the location of
the main executable file on disk. See documentation of the ``IMPORTED_*``
properties for more information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
::
add_executable(<name> ALIAS <target>)
Creates an :ref:`Alias Target <Alias Targets>`, such that ``<name>`` can
be used to refer to ``<target>`` in subsequent commands. The ``<name>``
does not appear in the generated buildsystem as a make target. The
``<target>`` may not be an :ref:`Imported Target <Imported Targets>` or an
``ALIAS``. ``ALIAS`` targets can be used as targets to read properties
from, executables for custom commands and custom targets. They can also be
tested for existance with the regular :command:`if(TARGET)` subcommand.
The ``<name>`` may not be used to modify properties of ``<target>``, that
is, it may not be used as the operand of :command:`set_property`,
:command:`set_target_properties`, :command:`target_link_libraries` etc.
An ``ALIAS`` target may not be installed or exported.