In the previous recipes, we learned how to compile a program that consists of one C++ file. Real applications, however, usually have a more complex structure. They can contain multiple source files, depend on other libraries, and be split into independent projects.
We need a way to conveniently define build rules for any type of application. CMake is one of the most well-known and widely used tools that allow developers to define high-level rules and translate them into a lower-level build system, such as a Unix make.
In this recipe, we will learn how to set up CMake and create a simple project definition for our Hello, world! application.
