Autotools vs Meson
Developers should learn Autotools when working on C/C++ projects that need to be distributed as source code and compiled on various Unix-like systems, such as Linux, macOS, or BSD meets developers should learn meson when working on medium to large c/c++ projects that require efficient, cross-platform builds, as it reduces configuration complexity and speeds up compilation times. Here's our take.
Autotools
Developers should learn Autotools when working on C/C++ projects that need to be distributed as source code and compiled on various Unix-like systems, such as Linux, macOS, or BSD
Autotools
Nice PickDevelopers should learn Autotools when working on C/C++ projects that need to be distributed as source code and compiled on various Unix-like systems, such as Linux, macOS, or BSD
Pros
- +It is essential for ensuring portability and handling system-specific differences, like library versions or compiler options, making it a standard in many legacy and open-source software builds
- +Related to: make, cmake
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Meson
Developers should learn Meson when working on medium to large C/C++ projects that require efficient, cross-platform builds, as it reduces configuration complexity and speeds up compilation times
Pros
- +It is particularly useful in open-source software development, embedded systems, and game engines where build performance and portability are critical
- +Related to: ninja, cmake
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Autotools if: You want it is essential for ensuring portability and handling system-specific differences, like library versions or compiler options, making it a standard in many legacy and open-source software builds and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Meson if: You prioritize it is particularly useful in open-source software development, embedded systems, and game engines where build performance and portability are critical over what Autotools offers.
Developers should learn Autotools when working on C/C++ projects that need to be distributed as source code and compiled on various Unix-like systems, such as Linux, macOS, or BSD
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev