This guide will demonstrate how to install CMake on Fedora Linux using the command-line terminal. Options include using the DNF Package Manager with Fedora’s RPM or downloading and compiling the latest version’s source binary.
CMake is a robust, cross-platform build system that simplifies the process of managing software builds. Its modular design allows developers to control the build environment across various platforms efficiently. CMake automates the detection of dependencies and the build process, making it an indispensable tool for modern software development. It supports out-of-source builds, reducing clutter and enhancing the manageability of build files. The tool’s ability to generate native build environments, such as Unix Makefiles or Microsoft Visual Studio projects, is a key feature that streamlines the development workflow.
To understand CMake’s impact and capabilities, consider the following highlights:
- Cross-Platform Support: CMake provides a unified interface across different operating systems, ensuring consistency in the build process.
- Out-of-Source Builds: Allows separate source and build directories, preventing contamination of source tree.
- User-Defined Build Configurations: Offers flexibility in creating custom build types.
- Automatic Dependency Analysis: Efficiently manages and resolves dependencies within the project.
- Scripting Capabilities: Includes a scripting language that allows for complex build configurations.
- Testing Support: Integrates with testing frameworks to facilitate test-driven development.
- GUI and Command Line Invocation: Caters to various user preferences and automation scripts.
- Extensibility: Supports custom modules and user-contributed scripts to expand functionality.
Now, let’s dive into the technical steps to install CMake on Fedora Linux, ensuring you have the necessary tools and environment for your development projects.
Table of Contents
Install CMake on Fedora via DNF
The first method suits most users and developers, as Fedora is an upstream-focused distribution. For those who require the absolute latest version of CMake, check out the second section.
Update Fedora Before CMake Installation
Update your Fedora system before installing CMake to ensure all packages are current and minimize potential conflicts or issues during installation.
Run the following command in your terminal to update Fedora:
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Install CMake via DNF Command
For most users, installing CMake from Fedora’s AppStream repository is recommended. This well-tested and stable version is ideal for general use.
Run the following command in your terminal to install CMake:
sudo dnf install cmake
Verify Installation of CMake
Once you have installed CMake, verify the installation by checking the version. This confirmation ensures a successful installation and the availability of CMake on your system.
To check the CMake version, run the following command:
cmake --version
Install CMake on Fedora via source
This method benefits users who require the latest version of CMake or a specific version not available in the Fedora repository. However, it is essential to remember that updating CMake with this method requires manually downloading and re-compiling the source code.
Install Initial Packages Required For CMake
Before proceeding, ensure your system has all the required dependencies for building CMake. You can install these dependencies using the following command:
sudo dnf install gcc gcc-c++ openssl-devel bzip2-devel libffi-devel zlib-devel wget make -y
Download the CMake Source
First, visit the GitHub releases page and find the link to the latest version of CMake.
After grabbing a fresh link, download the source code archive using the wget
command:
wget https://github.com/Kitware/CMake/releases/download/v{version}/cmake-{version}-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
Note: Make sure to replace {version}
with the correct version number.
Extract Downloaded CMake Source Archive
Extract the contents of the downloaded archive using the following command:
tar -zxvf cmake-{version number}.tar.gz
Now, navigate to the extracted directory:
cd /cmake-{your version}
Run the CMake Bootstrap Script
In this step, you will run the bootstrap
script, which prepares the build system for compiling CMake. If you encounter any issues, ensure you have installed all the required dependencies mentioned earlier.
Run the bootstrap script with the following command:
./bootstrap
The bootstrap
script may take a few minutes to complete.
Build and Compile CMake
Once the bootstrap script has finished, use the make
command to build CMake:
make
The build process can take several minutes, so you might want to grab a coffee or take a short break while waiting.
Install CMake Binary
After the build process is complete, install CMake using the make install
command:
sudo make install
Verify CMake Installation via Source
After completing the installation, check the installed CMake version to ensure the correct installation:
cmake --version
Conclusion
In this guide, we explored a couple of straightforward paths to get CMake up and running on your Fedora Linux setup. You’ve got the choice of a quick and easy install from Fedora’s own stash, perfect for most folks, or rolling up your sleeves to compile from source if you’re after the newest bells and whistles. Just remember, if you go the source route, you’ll need to handle updates yourself. Either way, you’re now equipped to leverage CMake’s powerful features for your development endeavors.