[webkit-dev] CMake as a build system?

[Eric Seidel]

I don't see this as a decision needing pre-approval.

This is a decision needing code.  No one has tried to make Mac, Win,
or other ports use a common system yet.  Obviously converting them in
the end requires buy-in from those ports.  But producing a demo
doesn't/shouldn't.

I eventually plan to look at this task.  When I do, I'll take a peek at CMake.

Someone just needs to sit down and build something.  Then we can make
an informed decision.

-eric

On Fri, Apr 16, 2010 at 2:29 PM, Adam Treat <treat at kde.org> wrote:
> On Friday 16 April 2010 05:10:25 pm Bill Hoffman wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Adam Treat (treat at kde.org) suggested that I join this list to talk about
>> CMake as an option for a unified cross platform build solution.  My name
>> is Bill Hoffman.  I am the lead CMake developer.  My company Kitware
>> created and supports CMake.  I think CMake would have a lot to offer the
>> WebKit developers.
>>
>> If you are not familiar with CMake, I did a google tech talk in December
>> which can be found here:
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ut9o4OdSC0&feature=youtube_gdata
>>
>> Another article about how KDE switched to CMake can be found here:
>> "Why the KDE project switched to CMake -- and how"
>> http://lwn.net/Articles/188693/
>>
>> If you are interested in moving to CMake, I would be interested in
>> helping.  If you have any questions about CMake, fire away!
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> -Bill
>
> I asked Bill to introduce himself here because I think CMake represents the
> best hope for WebKit to find a way out of the current build system
> proliferation we are experiencing.  Of the meta-buildsystems in existence I
> think CMake is by far the most powerful and mature.  CMake is by far the most
> widespread and supported.  It is already used successfully by Open Source
> projects of a comparable scope to WebKit and with similar cross-platform
> needs: LLVM, KDE, Boost.
>
> I know that WebKit already has GYP and QMake meta-buildsystems, but to my
> knowledge both are inferior to CMake.  In fact, I do not think CMake is
> lacking in any important way to the features of GYP.
>
> What's more, the WebKit project has already had a CMake based buildsystem.
> This is what the 'Unity' nascent QtWebkit port used originally.  I think we
> should re-introduce it and seriously consider using CMake as a cross-platform
> solution to our build system proliferation issues.
>
> I highly encourage you all to view the google tech talk above as it gives a
> great introduction to CMake.
>
> Cheers,
> Adam
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