ax_project_gen

C++ Project Generator

Feature Highlights:

• Lightweight - only C++11 is required ! ( No lua, python, java or any packages dependencies )
  

• Run on multiple platforms ( Windows / MacOSX / Linux / FreeBSD )

• Auto inherit configuration from depended projects, for instance executable project depends on library
  will inherit all settings by default ( e.g. include_dir, cpp_defines, output_library ...etc )

• Add source file by wildcard, glob with sub-directories ( example: src/**/*.cpp, means all c++ files within src folder including all sub-directories recursively)

• Using relative path in generated projects, therefore project can be move between folders or share for other users

• Support file path with space and Unicode

• Support Project Group, Virtual Folder in Visual Studio solution or Xcode workspace

• Precompiled header - and auto force-include to all c++ files
  (*In vs2015 precompiledHeader.cpp will be auto generated)

• Unite Build - build multiple small C/C++ file at once to improve the compile time

• Generate proejct / makefile with multi-thread settings

• Support CUDA Visual Studio project

Command Line:

ax_gen.exe ws=<Workspace File> [gen=<Geneartor>] [os=<target OS>] [cpu=<target CPU>] [config=<Name>] [-gen] [-build] [-ide] [-run] [-verbose] 

• arguments can be in random order

Example:

ax_gen.exe ws=examples/001/Hello.axworkspace -gen

Actions:
-gen	generate target projects
-build	build projects
-ide	open IDE
-run	run startup project
-verbose	more detail in console / log

OS options:
os=windows	Windows
os=macosx	MacOSX
os=ios	iOS Device
os=linux	Linux
os=freebsd	FreeBSD

CPU Options:
cpu=x86	Intel / AMD 32-bit CPU
cpu=x86_64	Intel / AMD 64-bit CPU

Generators:
gen=vs2019	Visual Studio 2019 (default on Windows)
gen=vs2017	Visual Studio 2017
gen=vs2017_linux	(experimental!) Visual Studio 2017 Linux Remote Compile
gen=vs2015	Visual Studio 2015
gen=xcode	Xcode (default on MacOSX)
gen=makefile	GNU makefile format	*support file path with space (Which handwritten Makefile might have problem during 2nd degree variable evaluation)

Compiler options:
compiler=vc	MS Visual C++ (default in gen=vs2015)
compiler=gcc	GNU C/C++ (default in gen=makefile)
compiler=clang	clang from LLVM (default in gen=xcode)

Config options:
config=<Name>	configuration for action [-build] or [-run]

---

Example output: ( Visual Studio / Xcode / Makefile )

Example Input: Hello.axproj:

{
	"group": "MyGroup/MyProgram",
	"type": "cpp_exe",
	"dependencies": ["MyLib"],
	"pch_header": "src/precompiledHeader.h",

	//"unite_build": true,
	//"unite_filesize": 1,
	"files" : [
		"src/*.cpp",
		"*.axproj"
	],
	"exclude_files": [
	],		

	"config": {
		"cpp_defines": [],
		"cpp_flags": [],
		"include_dirs": ["src"],
		"include_dirs.local": ["header_only_for_this_but_not_inherit_projects"],
		"link_dirs": [],
		"link_files": [],
		"link_flags": [],
		"compiler==gcc": {
			"link_flags":["-lm"]			
		},
		"compiler==clang": {
			"link_flags":["-lm"]			
		}
	}
}

How to build

Windows

vs2015 solution in ./projects/vs015/ax_gen.sln to build

Mac

Xcode project in ./project/xcode/ax_gen.xcodeproj

FreeBSD / Linux

run make under ./project/makefile folder

In case don't have 'Make' but gcc / clang only

g++ -std=c++11 src/_single_file_build_.cpp -o ax_gen

TODO

• Android project support
• Cross-compile
• Pre / Post build step for VS, Xcode, Makefile

If you're interested to

• Another generator again ? Why Not XYZ
• Why Not CMake