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Q&A What's the difference between include_directories and target_include_directories?

include_directories works on all targets in the current CMakeLists.txt file, whereas target_include_directories only adds them for the specified target. include_directories is fine to use for simp...

posted 5mo ago by congusbongus‭  ·  edited 5mo ago by congusbongus‭

Answer
#2: Post edited by user avatar congusbongus‭ · 2024-06-19T05:04:45Z (5 months ago)
  • `include_directories` works on all targets in the current `CMakeLists.txt` file, whereas `target_include_directories` only adds them for the specified target.
  • `include_directories` is fine to use for simple projects, but `target_include_directories` is better for more complex ones because it is more explicit, so you don't accidentally add include directories to targets that you didn't intend to, and it makes it easier to refactor build files, since it is clear which commands you need to modify based on their targets.
  • `include_directories` works on all targets in the current `CMakeLists.txt` file, whereas `target_include_directories` only adds them for the specified target.
  • `include_directories` is fine to use for simple projects, but `target_include_directories` is better for more complex ones because it is more explicit, so you don't accidentally add include directories to targets that you didn't intend to, and it makes it easier to refactor build files, since it is clear which commands you need to modify based on their targets.
  • `target_include_directories` also supports `INTERFACE`, `PUBLIC` and `PRIVATE` keywords, which control how the include directories are propagated to children that depend on the target. For example, if you have a target which needs additional headers to build against, you can use `PUBLIC` for those directories so that anything linking against the target also includes those directories. Otherwise, you can use `PRIVATE` so those directories aren't propagated to children.
#1: Initial revision by user avatar congusbongus‭ · 2024-06-19T04:58:40Z (5 months ago)
`include_directories` works on all targets in the current `CMakeLists.txt` file, whereas `target_include_directories` only adds them for the specified target.

`include_directories` is fine to use for simple projects, but `target_include_directories` is better for more complex ones because it is more explicit, so you don't accidentally add include directories to targets that you didn't intend to, and it makes it easier to refactor build files, since it is clear which commands you need to modify based on their targets.