Are you tired of dealing with the clutter of CMake generated files after blocking an in-source build? Do you find yourself wondering how to get rid of those pesky files and start fresh? Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to delete CMake generated files after blocking an in-source build.
What is an in-source build?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of deleting CMake generated files, let’s quickly explain what an in-source build is. An in-source build refers to the process of building a project within the source code directory. This means that the build files and generated files are created in the same directory as the source code.
In-source builds can be convenient, but they can also lead to clutter and confusion. This is especially true when using CMake, which generates a plethora of files during the build process. In the next section, we’ll explore why you might want to block an in-source build and how to do it.
Why block an in-source build?
There are several reasons why you might want to block an in-source build:
- Clutter control**: In-source builds can create a mess in your source code directory, making it difficult to navigate and find the files you need.
- Separation of concerns**: By keeping the build files separate from the source code, you can maintain a clean and organized project structure.
- Reusability**: Blocking an in-source build allows you to reuse the same build configuration for different projects or platforms.
- Portability**: Out-of-source builds make it easier to transfer your project to different environments or machines.
If you’re convinced that blocking an in-source build is the way to go, let’s move on to the how-to part!
How to block an in-source build?
To block an in-source build, you need to tell CMake to generate the build files in a separate directory. Here’s how:
cdinto your project directory.- Create a new directory for your build files. For example:
mkdir build. - Navigate into the build directory:
cd build. - Run CMake with the path to your source code directory as an argument:
cmake ../path/to/source/code.
This will generate the build files in the build directory, keeping your source code directory clean and clutter-free.
How to delete CMake generated files?
Now that we’ve blocked the in-source build, it’s time to talk about deleting those CMake generated files. There are a few ways to do this, depending on your operating system and preferred method.
Method 1: Manual deletion
This method involves manually deleting the files and directories generated by CMake. Here’s what you need to do:
- Navigate to the build directory.
- Delete the
CMakeCache.txtfile. - Delete the
CMakeFilesdirectory. - Delete the
CMakeOutput.logfile. - Delete the
CMakeError.logfile. - Delete any other files or directories generated by CMake (e.g.,
Makefile,build.ninja, etc.).
Be careful when deleting files and directories, as this can be a time-consuming and error-prone process.
Method 2: Using CMake’s cleaning functionality
CMake provides a built-in cleaning functionality that can help you delete generated files. Here’s how to use it:
- Navigate to the build directory.
- Run the following command:
cmake --clean-cache.
This will delete the CMakeCache.txt file and other generated files. However, this method might not delete all files and directories, so be sure to double-check.
Method 3: Using a script or tool
If you’re tired of manually deleting files or using CMake’s cleaning functionality, you can create a script or use a tool to automate the process. For example, you can use a Bash script like this:
#!/bin/bash # Navigate to the build directory cd build # Delete CMake generated files rm -rf CMakeCache.txt CMakeFiles CMakeOutput.log CMakeError.log Makefile build.ninja # Navigate back to the parent directory cd ..
Save this script to a file (e.g., clean_build.sh), make it executable with chmod +x clean_build.sh, and then run it with ./clean_build.sh.
Conclusion
And that’s it! You’ve successfully blocked an in-source build and deleted CMake generated files. By following these steps, you’ll be able to maintain a clean and organized project structure, making it easier to manage your code and collaborate with others.
Remember to always be cautious when deleting files and directories, and consider using a script or tool to automate the process. Happy building!
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Manual deletion | Delete files and directories generated by CMake manually. |
| CMake’s cleaning functionality | Use CMake’s built-in cleaning functionality to delete generated files. |
| Script or tool | Automate the deletion process using a script or tool. |
Which method do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Question
Get rid of those pesky CMake generated files and start fresh!
How do I delete CMake generated files after blocking an in-source build?
The easiest way to delete CMake generated files is to remove the entire build directory. You can do this by running the command `rm -rf CMakeFiles` (on Unix-based systems) or `rmdir /s /q CMakeFiles` (on Windows). This will remove all the generated files, including the `CMakeCache.txt` file, which will allow you to start fresh with a new build.
What if I only want to remove specific files and not the entire build directory?
You can use the `cmake` command with the `–delete-cache` option to delete specific files. For example, `cmake –delete-cache CMakeCache.txt` will remove the `CMakeCache.txt` file. You can also use `cmake –delete-cache *` to remove all files in the build directory.
Can I use a script to automate the deletion of CMake generated files?
Yes, you can create a script to automate the deletion of CMake generated files. For example, you can create a script called `clean_cmake.sh` (on Unix-based systems) or `clean_cmake.bat` (on Windows) with the following contents:
rm -rf CMakeFiles
rm -rf CMakeCache.txt
rm -rf cmake_install.cmake
Then, you can run the script by executing `./clean_cmake.sh` (on Unix-based systems) or `clean_cmake.bat` (on Windows).
Will deleting CMake generated files affect my project?
Deleting CMake generated files will not affect your project’s source code or configuration. However, it will reset your build configuration, so you’ll need to run `cmake` again to reconfigure your project. This can be useful if you’ve made changes to your project’s configuration or dependencies and want to start fresh with a new build.
Are there any risks to deleting CMake generated files?
The only risk to deleting CMake generated files is accidentally deleting important files or directories that are not related to CMake. Make sure to only delete files and directories that are specific to CMake, and avoid deleting your project’s source code or important configuration files.
