include_directory inheritance within CMake?

Question

I have 2 projects L and A in CMake, say L is a library and A an application depending on L.

The folders hierarchy looks like:

A
- CMakeLists.txt + headers + src
L
- CMakeLists.txt + headers + src
- subL
  - headers + src files

Now, in terms of include directories I understand I need to specify subL in L/CMakeLists.txt/include_directories(), so the other files within L can reference the include files simply with a #include "mySubLHeaderFile.h" or #include < mySubLHeaderFile.h>.

Now if I want to reference a header file from subL within a file from the A project and be able to reference this subL file simply with a #include "mySubLHeaderFile.h" or #include < mySubLHeaderFile.h>, I have noticed I need to re-specify subL in A/CMakeLists.txt/include_directories(). Is this a normal behavior? Aren't the include_directories() inherited from the depended project?

------ EDIT 1 -------

Note that I have a top level CMakeLists.txt above A and L.

I do indeed have a top level CMakeLists.txt, over A and L. Just modified the post to reflect this. — arennuit
– arennuit, Commented Jan 12, 2018 at 15:46
I'm unsure about this, but I think you can put an include_directories in that top-level file, so that all subfolders have access. — Arnav Borborah
– Arnav Borborah, Commented Jan 12, 2018 at 15:48

John · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-12 16:09:46Z

3

Yes, that is the standard behavior for CMake's include_directories command. If you want properties to propagate to dependents, use the target_include_directories command that became standard with version 3. Specifically, locations with headers that are needed by client code should be in the PUBLIC or INTERFACE section. If SubL also needs to include headers there, use PUBLIC. Look at the whole family of target_* commands for property propagation to dependents.

answered Jan 12, 2018 at 16:09

John

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