difference between make and cmake build tool

Make and CMake are both build tools, but they serve different purposes and operate at different levels of abstraction:

1. Make:

   • Purpose: Make is a classic build automation tool used primarily in Unix-like systems (Linux, macOS, etc.). It manages dependencies between files and executes commands to build and update target files based on changes in source files.
   • Language: Make uses its own syntax (Makefile) to define rules for compiling programs and managing dependencies. These Makefiles can become complex as projects grow larger.
   • Usage: Typically used for compiling C/C++ programs and managing build processes in Unix environments. It's widely supported and integrated into many development workflows.

2. CMake:

   • Purpose: CMake (Cross-platform Make) is a meta-build system used to generate platform-specific build files (e.g., Makefiles, Visual Studio projects) from a high-level CMakeLists.txt configuration file. It aims to provide a unified way to describe the build process across different platforms and build environments.
   • Language: CMake uses a scripting language (also called CMake) that is simpler and more abstract compared to Makefiles. It provides a set of commands to define targets, dependencies, and other build settings in a platform-independent manner.
   • Usage: CMake is widely used in C/C++ projects but supports other languages as well (e.g., Python, Java). It abstracts away platform-specific details, making it easier to maintain and update build configurations across different operating systems and IDEs.

Key Differences:

• Abstraction Level: Make operates at a lower level of abstraction, where developers specify explicit rules for compiling source files and managing dependencies. CMake abstracts these details and provides a higher-level interface to define targets and build settings.

• Platform Support: Make is primarily used in Unix-like environments, though there are versions for Windows (e.g., GNU Make). CMake is designed to generate build files for multiple platforms, enhancing cross-platform compatibility.

• Ease of Use: CMake simplifies the process of defining and managing builds across different environments, whereas Make requires more manual intervention to handle platform-specific details.

• Flexibility: CMake offers more flexibility in terms of integrating with various build systems (e.g., Make, Ninja, Visual Studio) and IDEs, making it easier to adapt to different development workflows.