Hey folks! So, I’ve been diving into some C++ projects lately and I keep hearing that I need the latest version of CMake to keep everything running smoothly. The problem is, I’m not the most experienced when it comes to installing software via the command line on Ubuntu. It’s kind of daunting for me!
I usually stick to the Ubuntu Software Center because it’s straightforward, but I’ve read that using the command line is way faster and maybe even better in terms of getting the latest versions of stuff. So, I thought I’d give it a shot and try to install the most recent version of CMake through the terminal.
Here’s where I’m stuck: I have no idea what steps I should be taking. Do I need to add any specific repositories before I start? If so, which ones? And am I supposed to use apt-get or is there a different command I should be using for this? I’ve seen people mention snap and flatpak too—are those feasible options for CMake installations?
Once I get everything installed, what commands should I run to make sure it’s the latest version? I don’t want to end up with an older version that won’t work with my projects. Also, after the install is complete, how do I check if CMake is set up correctly? Should I run a test project or something?
I’ve tried looking this up online, but there are so many different guides and it all feels a bit overwhelming. It would really help me out if someone could walk me through the process step-by-step. Any guidance from you command-line pros would be super appreciated! Thanks a ton in advance!
Installing CMake on Ubuntu
If you’re looking to install the latest version of CMake on Ubuntu using the terminal, don’t worry! I’ll walk you through it step-by-step. Just follow these instructions, and you’ll be good to go.
Step 1: Update Your Package List
First, open up your terminal and update your package list to make sure everything is up to date. Run this command:
Step 2: Install CMake
You can install CMake directly from the default repository, but it may not be the latest. To get the latest version, we can add a repository:
Then, add the Kitware repository:
Now, let’s install CMake:
Step 3: Check the Installed Version
After installation, you can check the installed version of CMake to make sure it’s up to date:
Alternative Installation Methods
If you want to explore other options like snap or flatpak, here’s how:
Using Snap
Using Flatpak
Choose whichever method you’re comfortable with!
Step 4: Verify Your Installation
To verify that CMake is set up correctly, you can create a simple test project. Just make a new directory and create a
CMakeLists.txt
file:Then run CMake in your project directory:
Final Thoughts
And that’s it! You’ve installed CMake and verified it. If you run into any issues, just check the version or look for errors in the terminal. Good luck with your C++ projects!
To install the latest version of CMake on Ubuntu via the command line, you can use the APT package manager, which simplifies the process of managing installed software. First, open your terminal and ensure your package list is up to date by running:
sudo apt update
. While Ubuntu’s default repositories may not always contain the latest CMake version, you can add the CMake official PPA (Personal Package Archive) to get the latest version. Use the following command to add the PPA:sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kitware/ppa
, followed by runningsudo apt update
once more to refresh your package list. Now you can install CMake withsudo apt install cmake
. If you prefer alternatives like Snap or Flatpak, you can also install CMake using Snap with the commandsudo snap install cmake --classic
.After installation, you can verify that you have the latest version of CMake by running
cmake --version
in the terminal. This command will display the current installed version of CMake. To confirm CMake is set up correctly, you can try creating a simple project. Make a new directory, navigate into it usingcd
, and create a basic `CMakeLists.txt` file. Inside that file, write a simple project definition, such as:project(TestProject VERSION 1.0)
. Then runcmake .
in the terminal. If everything is configured properly, you should see a message indicating that your project was processed successfully. This hands-on approach is an excellent way to ensure your installation is functioning as expected.