How to specify a compiler in CMake?

Question

I would like to use the IAR compiler. I noticed CMake has already have a bunch of files about this compiler:

https://github.com/jevinskie/cmake/blob/master/Modules/C

Answer 1

If you don't want to use your PC's standard compiler, you have to give CMake the path to the compiler. You do this via environment variables, a toolchain file or direct definitions in the CMake command line (see e.g. CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:30 (project): No CMAKE_C_COMPILER could be found).

Putting the compiler's name/path into your CMakeLists.txt would stop your project from being cross-platform.

CMake does check for the compiler ids by compiling special C/C++ files. So no need to manually include from Module/Compiler or Module/Platform.

This will be automatically done by CMake based on its compiler and platform checks.

References

• CMake: In which Order are Files parsed (Cache, Toolchain, …)?
• CMake GitLab Commit: Add support files for C, C++ and ASM for the IAR toolchain.