What does CMake actually do?

[yonah-ag]

I have done some web research but I'm not still not clear on this.

Every time I start Visual Studio 2022 with my MS3.7 folder a CMake automatically runs. What is it doing?

[Jojo-Schmitz]

(Re-)Generating the build config I guess

[yonah-ag]

What is the build config? I assumed that the .cpp files just need to be compiled then linked into an .exe file, and that this constituted a build.

[Jojo-Schmitz]

The .sln file basically. There got to be something to tell the build what to compile with which options and with which dependencies (line whan needs to get compiled because one of the #include files changed content etc), and how to link the parts together and where to copy the stuff to, etc.

[yonah-ag]

There are many .cmake files in the solution. Which one is first in the CMake process? What defines the order in which they are processed?

[Jojo-Schmitz]

None. Those .cmake files get included elsewhere.
The central file is CMakeLists.txt in the top level directory

[yonah-ag]

I have edited CMakeLists.txt in the top level directory to try to stop the repeated download of the MS General Soundfont. This looked like a simple matter of setting the option to OFF but it didn't work. The message statement immediately after the setting shows that the option is still ON. What have I missed?

As an alternative I commented out the actual download section and this worked.

[yonah-ag]

This may be the answer (I haven't had a chance to test it yet)
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/35744647/disabling-cmake-option-has-no-effect

[yonah-ag]

Found out how to delete and rebuild the cache in VS2022

Now the DOWNLOAD_SOUNDFONT option is OFF.

[Jojo-Schmitz]

Good! Worth a mention in the Wiki, I guess

[yonah-ag]

Indeed, but in a new section? It's not really part of the 'how to' on setting up a development environment, it's more about usage, particularly in the context of VS2022.

[Jojo-Schmitz]

Yes, new section, something like tips and tricks