How to build static libs using CMake

[jarroddavis68]

Still, I cannot get this to work. I can build SFML static lib via Cmake (gui) no probelm, but when I try to then build CSFML, I get this:

[eXpl0it3r]

Are you using CSFML master?

Maybe it's because of #286 Try using SFML_ROOT instead

[jarroddavis68]

Are you using CSFML master?

Maybe it's because of #286 Try using SFML_ROOT instead

yes, master. Hmm, don't see a SFML_ROOT branch. Looking at #286 comments, says it was removed.

[eXpl0it3r]

Sorry, it's not a branch, I meant use SFML_ROOT instead of SFML_DIR 😅

[jarroddavis68]

Ok, thanks for you help, finally got it to work. Here are a few issues still when trying to build CSFML as a static:

• the target ext remains as .dll rather than .lib (I have to manually change)
• I see the following could not find messages, but everything seem to build
• CSMFL_XXX_EXPORTS are not defined so you get inconsistent linkage error (I have to manually define each)
• Finally, if you define a install location for CSFML and run install, as a shared lib build, it will move the files into the correct location, however for static you get this error:

[ChrisThrasher]

See https://github.com/SFML/CSFML/pull/311

the target ext remains as .dll rather than .lib (I have to manually change)

I took a look at this and am not sure what is causing it. As far as I'm aware we don't go out of our way to change the file extension of Windows static libs but perhaps I'm overlooking something.

EDIT: I think I know what is causing this and will find a fix.

I see the following could not find messages, but everything seem to build

This is expected and does not signify an error.

CSMFL_XXX_EXPORTS are not defined so you get inconsistent linkage error (I have to manually define each)

Fixed in #311

Finally, if you define a install location for CSFML and run install, as a shared lib build, it will move the files into the correct location, however for static you get this error:

The CI jobs I added in #311 seem to be able to install the static libraries without issue so I'm not sure why it's failing for you.

[jarroddavis68]

@ChrisThrasher Thanks!

One thing I forgot, SFML will do /MT, of which I have it set, but CSFML defaults to /MD can you check on this as well?

[ChrisThrasher]

I'm not very familiar with those MSVC flags but perhaps CSFML needs to port this change from SFML: https://github.com/SFML/SFML/pull/1834

[jarroddavis68]

I'm not very familiar with those MSVC flags but perhaps CSFML needs to port this change from SFML: SFML/SFML#1834

/MD (multi-thread DLL) Dynamically links the CRT /MT (Multi-threaded) Statically links the CRT

Yup, CSFML needs that for sure, should fix the issue. Works as expected when I build SFML. I tick the option to use /MT and all of them will be /MT.

[ChrisThrasher]

If I port SFML/SFML#1834 to CSFML would you be able to test it out for me?

[jarroddavis68]

If I port SFML/SFML#1834 to CSFML would you be able to test it out for me?

absolutely 👍🏿

[jarroddavis68]

@ChrisThrasher happy to report everything works, except /MD. CSFML still defaults all libs to /MD. Everything else, however, seems to work, even the installation, all moved over successfully.

[jarroddavis68]

and do have to manually add SFML_ROOT

[jarroddavis68]

Ok, correction, I just have to populate CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX with the install location of SFML and it will just work, so everything works except linking against static CRT (/MT). I still have to set those manually.

[ChrisThrasher]

@jarroddavis68 Try this out https://github.com/SFML/CSFML/tree/msvc_runtime_libs

and do have to manually add SFML_ROOT

This is to be expected. You have to tell CMake where to find SFML. If you don't install SFML to one of the default locations CMake checks then you'll have to set SFML_ROOT.

Ok, correction, I just have to populate CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX with the install location of SFML and it will just wor

This might work but it's very unconventional and I wouldn't recommend it. Using SFML_ROOT is the canonical solution.

[jarroddavis68]

@jarroddavis68 Try this out https://github.com/SFML/CSFML/tree/msvc_runtime_libs

Once the install location is set, everything "just works", yah!

But, sadly, still seem to default to /MD

[ChrisThrasher]

Did you do a clean build? That will ensure all CMake cache variables get reset.

EDIT: I fixed a minor issue in my branch related to the STATIC_STD_LIBS option. Make sure you enable that if you want static runtime libs.

[jarroddavis68]

EDIT: I fixed a minor issue in my branch related to the STATIC_STD_LIBS option. Make sure you enable that if you want static runtime libs.

YES! Works. ❤️ Many thanks!!

[jarroddavis68]

Ahh for the first time I'm now able to automatic grabbing the latest sources, compiling to static libs, convert C headers to Delphi and build my Deps DLL that is used by Delphi for my CSFML based projects.

To @ChrisThrasher and @eXpl0it3r, many thanks for all your help! ✊🏿

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grc5nj7AILk

[ChrisThrasher]

https://github.com/SFML/CSFML/pull/352

Heads up, we changed the option name for static static library linking in CSFML 3 from STATIC_STD_LIBS to CSFML_USE_STATIC_STD_LIBS. This is in line with SFML and CSFML style.

[jarroddavis68]

Ok thanks.👌