3.6. Variables

There are only two kinds of languages: the ones people complain about and

the ones nobody uses.

– Bjarne Stroustrup

We have touched already some simple syntax like dereferencing variable A by ${A} in message command: message("This is A: ${A}"). Cache variables was mentioned in CMake stages. Here is an overview of different types of variables with examples.

CMake documentation

• Language: variables

Examples on GitHub

• Repository

• Latest ZIP

• 3.6.1. Regular variables
  • 3.6.1.1. Regular vs cache
  • 3.6.1.2. Scope of variable
  • 3.6.1.3. New scope
  • 3.6.1.4. Same scope
  • 3.6.1.5. Parent scope
  • 3.6.1.6. From cache
  • 3.6.1.7. Cache unset regular
  • 3.6.1.8. Confusing
  • 3.6.1.9. Names
  • 3.6.1.10. Quotes
  • 3.6.1.11. Dereferencing
  • 3.6.1.12. Nested dereferencing
  • 3.6.1.13. Types of variable
  • 3.6.1.14. Create list
  • 3.6.1.15. Operations with list
  • 3.6.1.16. List with one empty element
  • 3.6.1.17. Recommendation
  • 3.6.1.18. Summary
• 3.6.2. Cache variables
  • 3.6.2.1. No scope
  • 3.6.2.2. Double set
  • 3.6.2.3. -D
  • 3.6.2.4. Initial cache
  • 3.6.2.5. Force
  • 3.6.2.6. Force as a workaround
  • 3.6.2.7. Cache type
  • 3.6.2.8. Enumerate
  • 3.6.2.9. Internal
  • 3.6.2.10. Advanced
  • 3.6.2.11. Use case
  • 3.6.2.12. Option
  • 3.6.2.13. Unset
  • 3.6.2.14. Recommendation
  • 3.6.2.15. Summary
• 3.6.3. Environment variables
  • 3.6.3.1. Read
  • 3.6.3.2. Set
  • 3.6.3.3. Unset
  • 3.6.3.4. Inheriting
  • 3.6.3.5. Configure step
  • 3.6.3.6. No tracking
  • 3.6.3.7. Summary