CMake
CMake is an open-source, cross-platform build system generator that automates the compilation, linking, and packaging of software projects. It uses platform-independent configuration files (CMakeLists.txt) to generate native build files (e.g., Makefiles, Visual Studio projects) for various compilers and environments. This allows developers to manage complex build processes consistently across different operating systems and toolchains.
Developers should learn CMake when working on C, C++, or other compiled language projects that need to be built on multiple platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS) or with different compilers. It is essential for managing large-scale projects with dependencies, as it simplifies build configuration, supports modular codebases, and integrates with tools like IDEs and package managers. Use cases include open-source libraries, cross-platform applications, and embedded systems development where portability is critical.