Install Core as a Static Library

Erbsland Core always builds as a static library. Installing it separately is useful for package-building workflows or when several controlled projects share one exact Core revision.

Note

We strongly recommend to integrate Erbsland Core as a submodule, as it remains simpler because source and application revisions stay together.

Build and Install

Clone the chosen revision and configure a consumer-oriented Release build:

$ git clone https://github.com/erbsland-dev/erbsland-core.git
$ cmake -S erbsland-core -B erbsland-core-build -G Ninja \
      -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
      -DERBSLAND_CORE_ENABLE_TESTS=OFF \
      -DERBSLAND_CORE_ENABLE_DEMOS=OFF \
      -DERBSLAND_CORE_ENABLE_PRECOMPILED_HEADERS=ON \
      -DERBSLAND_CORE_DO_NOT_FLATTEN_NS=OFF \
      -DERBSLAND_CORE_DEVELOPER_BUILD=OFF
$ cmake --build erbsland-core-build
$ cmake --install erbsland-core-build --prefix "$PWD/erbsland-core-install"

Disabling ERBSLAND_CORE_DO_NOT_FLATTEN_NS gives installed consumers the regular flattened namespace and el alias. Developer mode is disabled so the installed binary does not expose development-only hooks.

The selected prefix receives the static library, public headers, the package configuration, and the Git-version CMake helper.

Consume the Package

Use CMake’s config-package mode and configure the executable with Core’s application helper:

<consumer>/CMakeLists.txt

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.28)
project(ExampleConsumer LANGUAGES CXX)

find_package(erbsland-core CONFIG REQUIRED)

add_executable(example src/main.cpp)
erbsland_core_setup_application(TARGET example)

Point CMake to a custom installation prefix when configuring the consumer:

$ cmake -S . -B build -G Ninja \
      -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/absolute/path/to/erbsland-core-install
$ cmake --build build

Both setup helpers select the available Core target automatically. Use erbsland_core_setup_static_library(TARGET example_library) for a static-library target, whether Core is integrated from source or consumed as an installed package.