1 .. cmake-manual-description: CMake Policies Reference
13 Policies in CMake are used to preserve backward compatible behavior
14 across multiple releases. When a new policy is introduced, newer CMake
15 versions will begin to warn about the backward compatible behavior. It
16 is possible to disable the warning by explicitly requesting the OLD, or
17 backward compatible behavior using the :command:`cmake_policy` command.
18 It is also possible to request ``NEW``, or non-backward compatible behavior
19 for a policy, also avoiding the warning. Each policy can also be set to
20 either ``NEW`` or ``OLD`` behavior explicitly on the command line with the
21 :variable:`CMAKE_POLICY_DEFAULT_CMP<NNNN>` variable.
23 A policy is a deprecation mechanism and not a reliable feature toggle.
24 A policy should almost never be set to ``OLD``, except to silence warnings
25 in an otherwise frozen or stable codebase, or temporarily as part of a
26 larger migration path. The ``OLD`` behavior of each policy is undesirable
27 and will be replaced with an error condition in a future release.
29 The :command:`cmake_minimum_required` command does more than report an
30 error if a too-old version of CMake is used to build a project. It
31 also sets all policies introduced in that CMake version or earlier to
32 ``NEW`` behavior. To manage policies without increasing the minimum required
33 CMake version, the :command:`if(POLICY)` command may be used:
38 cmake_policy(SET CMP0990 NEW)
41 This has the effect of using the ``NEW`` behavior with newer CMake releases which
42 users may be using and not issuing a compatibility warning.
44 The setting of a policy is confined in some cases to not propagate to the
45 parent scope. For example, if the files read by the :command:`include` command
46 or the :command:`find_package` command contain a use of :command:`cmake_policy`,
47 that policy setting will not affect the caller by default. Both commands accept
48 an optional ``NO_POLICY_SCOPE`` keyword to control this behavior.
50 The :variable:`CMAKE_MINIMUM_REQUIRED_VERSION` variable may also be used
51 to determine whether to report an error on use of deprecated macros or
55 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.25
56 =================================
61 CMP0142: The Xcode generator does not append per-config suffixes to library search paths. </policy/CMP0142>
62 CMP0141: MSVC debug information format flags are selected by an abstraction. </policy/CMP0141>
63 CMP0140: The return() command checks its arguments. </policy/CMP0140>
65 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.24
66 =================================
71 CMP0139: The if() command supports path comparisons using PATH_EQUAL operator. </policy/CMP0139>
72 CMP0138: CheckIPOSupported uses flags from calling project. </policy/CMP0138>
73 CMP0137: try_compile() passes platform variables in project mode. </policy/CMP0137>
74 CMP0136: Watcom runtime library flags are selected by an abstraction. </policy/CMP0136>
75 CMP0135: ExternalProject ignores timestamps in archives by default for the URL download method. </policy/CMP0135>
76 CMP0134: Fallback to "HOST" Windows registry view when "TARGET" view is not usable. </policy/CMP0134>
77 CMP0133: The CPack module disables SLA by default in the CPack DragNDrop Generator. </policy/CMP0133>
78 CMP0132: Do not set compiler environment variables on first run. </policy/CMP0132>
79 CMP0131: LINK_LIBRARIES supports the LINK_ONLY generator expression. </policy/CMP0131>
80 CMP0130: while() diagnoses condition evaluation errors. </policy/CMP0130>
82 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.23
83 =================================
88 CMP0129: Compiler id for MCST LCC compilers is now LCC, not GNU. </policy/CMP0129>
90 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.22
91 =================================
96 CMP0128: Selection of language standard and extension flags improved. </policy/CMP0128>
97 CMP0127: cmake_dependent_option() supports full Condition Syntax. </policy/CMP0127>
99 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.21
100 =================================
105 CMP0126: set(CACHE) does not remove a normal variable of the same name. </policy/CMP0126>
106 CMP0125: find_(path|file|library|program) have consistent behavior for cache variables. </policy/CMP0125>
107 CMP0124: foreach() loop variables are only available in the loop scope. </policy/CMP0124>
108 CMP0123: ARMClang cpu/arch compile and link flags must be set explicitly. </policy/CMP0123>
109 CMP0122: UseSWIG use standard library name conventions for csharp language. </policy/CMP0122>
110 CMP0121: The list command detects invalid indices. </policy/CMP0121>
112 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.20
113 =================================
118 CMP0120: The WriteCompilerDetectionHeader module is removed. </policy/CMP0120>
119 CMP0119: LANGUAGE source file property explicitly compiles as language. </policy/CMP0119>
120 CMP0118: The GENERATED source file property is now visible in all directories. </policy/CMP0118>
121 CMP0117: MSVC RTTI flag /GR is not added to CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS by default. </policy/CMP0117>
122 CMP0116: Ninja generators transform DEPFILEs from add_custom_command(). </policy/CMP0116>
123 CMP0115: Source file extensions must be explicit. </policy/CMP0115>
125 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.19
126 =================================
131 CMP0114: ExternalProject step targets fully adopt their steps. </policy/CMP0114>
132 CMP0113: Makefile generators do not repeat custom commands from target dependencies. </policy/CMP0113>
133 CMP0112: Target file component generator expressions do not add target dependencies. </policy/CMP0112>
134 CMP0111: An imported target missing its location property fails during generation. </policy/CMP0111>
135 CMP0110: add_test() supports arbitrary characters in test names. </policy/CMP0110>
136 CMP0109: find_program() requires permission to execute but not to read. </policy/CMP0109>
138 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.18
139 =================================
144 CMP0108: A target cannot link to itself through an alias. </policy/CMP0108>
145 CMP0107: An ALIAS target cannot overwrite another target. </policy/CMP0107>
146 CMP0106: The Documentation module is removed. </policy/CMP0106>
147 CMP0105: Device link step uses the link options. </policy/CMP0105>
148 CMP0104: CMAKE_CUDA_ARCHITECTURES now detected for NVCC, empty CUDA_ARCHITECTURES not allowed. </policy/CMP0104>
149 CMP0103: Multiple export() with same FILE without APPEND is not allowed. </policy/CMP0103>
151 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.17
152 =================================
157 CMP0102: mark_as_advanced() does nothing if a cache entry does not exist. </policy/CMP0102>
158 CMP0101: target_compile_options honors BEFORE keyword in all scopes. </policy/CMP0101>
159 CMP0100: Let AUTOMOC and AUTOUIC process .hh header files. </policy/CMP0100>
160 CMP0099: Link properties are transitive over private dependency on static libraries. </policy/CMP0099>
161 CMP0098: FindFLEX runs flex in CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR when executing. </policy/CMP0098>
163 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.16
164 =================================
169 CMP0097: ExternalProject_Add with GIT_SUBMODULES "" initializes no submodules. </policy/CMP0097>
170 CMP0096: project() preserves leading zeros in version components. </policy/CMP0096>
171 CMP0095: RPATH entries are properly escaped in the intermediary CMake install script. </policy/CMP0095>
173 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.15
174 =================================
179 CMP0094: FindPython3, FindPython2 and FindPython use LOCATION for lookup strategy. </policy/CMP0094>
180 CMP0093: FindBoost reports Boost_VERSION in x.y.z format. </policy/CMP0093>
181 CMP0092: MSVC warning flags are not in CMAKE_{C,CXX}_FLAGS by default. </policy/CMP0092>
182 CMP0091: MSVC runtime library flags are selected by an abstraction. </policy/CMP0091>
183 CMP0090: export(PACKAGE) does not populate package registry by default. </policy/CMP0090>
184 CMP0089: Compiler id for IBM Clang-based XL compilers is now XLClang. </policy/CMP0089>
186 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.14
187 =================================
192 CMP0088: FindBISON runs bison in CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR when executing. </policy/CMP0088>
193 CMP0087: install(SCRIPT | CODE) supports generator expressions. </policy/CMP0087>
194 CMP0086: UseSWIG honors SWIG_MODULE_NAME via -module flag. </policy/CMP0086>
195 CMP0085: IN_LIST generator expression handles empty list items. </policy/CMP0085>
196 CMP0084: The FindQt module does not exist for find_package(). </policy/CMP0084>
197 CMP0083: Add PIE options when linking executable. </policy/CMP0083>
198 CMP0082: Install rules from add_subdirectory() are interleaved with those in caller. </policy/CMP0082>
201 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.13
202 =================================
207 CMP0081: Relative paths not allowed in LINK_DIRECTORIES target property. </policy/CMP0081>
208 CMP0080: BundleUtilities cannot be included at configure time. </policy/CMP0080>
209 CMP0079: target_link_libraries allows use with targets in other directories. </policy/CMP0079>
210 CMP0078: UseSWIG generates standard target names. </policy/CMP0078>
211 CMP0077: option() honors normal variables. </policy/CMP0077>
212 CMP0076: target_sources() command converts relative paths to absolute. </policy/CMP0076>
214 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.12
215 =================================
220 CMP0075: Include file check macros honor CMAKE_REQUIRED_LIBRARIES. </policy/CMP0075>
221 CMP0074: find_package uses PackageName_ROOT variables. </policy/CMP0074>
222 CMP0073: Do not produce legacy _LIB_DEPENDS cache entries. </policy/CMP0073>
224 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.11
225 =================================
230 CMP0072: FindOpenGL prefers GLVND by default when available. </policy/CMP0072>
232 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.10
233 =================================
238 CMP0071: Let AUTOMOC and AUTOUIC process GENERATED files. </policy/CMP0071>
239 CMP0070: Define file(GENERATE) behavior for relative paths. </policy/CMP0070>
241 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.9
242 ================================
247 CMP0069: INTERPROCEDURAL_OPTIMIZATION is enforced when enabled. </policy/CMP0069>
248 CMP0068: RPATH settings on macOS do not affect install_name. </policy/CMP0068>
250 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.8
251 ================================
256 CMP0067: Honor language standard in try_compile() source-file signature. </policy/CMP0067>
258 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.7
259 ================================
264 CMP0066: Honor per-config flags in try_compile() source-file signature. </policy/CMP0066>
266 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.4
267 ================================
272 CMP0065: Do not add flags to export symbols from executables without the ENABLE_EXPORTS target property. </policy/CMP0065>
273 CMP0064: Support new TEST if() operator. </policy/CMP0064>
275 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.3
276 ================================
281 CMP0063: Honor visibility properties for all target types. </policy/CMP0063>
282 CMP0062: Disallow install() of export() result. </policy/CMP0062>
283 CMP0061: CTest does not by default tell make to ignore errors (-i). </policy/CMP0061>
284 CMP0060: Link libraries by full path even in implicit directories. </policy/CMP0060>
285 CMP0059: Do not treat DEFINITIONS as a built-in directory property. </policy/CMP0059>
286 CMP0058: Ninja requires custom command byproducts to be explicit. </policy/CMP0058>
287 CMP0057: Support new IN_LIST if() operator. </policy/CMP0057>
289 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.2
290 ================================
295 CMP0056: Honor link flags in try_compile() source-file signature. </policy/CMP0056>
296 CMP0055: Strict checking for break() command. </policy/CMP0055>
298 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.1
299 ================================
304 CMP0054: Only interpret if() arguments as variables or keywords when unquoted. </policy/CMP0054>
305 CMP0053: Simplify variable reference and escape sequence evaluation. </policy/CMP0053>
306 CMP0052: Reject source and build dirs in installed INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES. </policy/CMP0052>
307 CMP0051: List TARGET_OBJECTS in SOURCES target property. </policy/CMP0051>
309 Policies Introduced by CMake 3.0
310 ================================
315 CMP0050: Disallow add_custom_command SOURCE signatures. </policy/CMP0050>
316 CMP0049: Do not expand variables in target source entries. </policy/CMP0049>
317 CMP0048: project() command manages VERSION variables. </policy/CMP0048>
318 CMP0047: Use QCC compiler id for the qcc drivers on QNX. </policy/CMP0047>
319 CMP0046: Error on non-existent dependency in add_dependencies. </policy/CMP0046>
320 CMP0045: Error on non-existent target in get_target_property. </policy/CMP0045>
321 CMP0044: Case sensitive Lang_COMPILER_ID generator expressions. </policy/CMP0044>
322 CMP0043: Ignore COMPILE_DEFINITIONS_Config properties. </policy/CMP0043>
323 CMP0042: MACOSX_RPATH is enabled by default. </policy/CMP0042>
324 CMP0041: Error on relative include with generator expression. </policy/CMP0041>
325 CMP0040: The target in the TARGET signature of add_custom_command() must exist. </policy/CMP0040>
326 CMP0039: Utility targets may not have link dependencies. </policy/CMP0039>
327 CMP0038: Targets may not link directly to themselves. </policy/CMP0038>
328 CMP0037: Target names should not be reserved and should match a validity pattern. </policy/CMP0037>
329 CMP0036: The build_name command should not be called. </policy/CMP0036>
330 CMP0035: The variable_requires command should not be called. </policy/CMP0035>
331 CMP0034: The utility_source command should not be called. </policy/CMP0034>
332 CMP0033: The export_library_dependencies command should not be called. </policy/CMP0033>
333 CMP0032: The output_required_files command should not be called. </policy/CMP0032>
334 CMP0031: The load_command command should not be called. </policy/CMP0031>
335 CMP0030: The use_mangled_mesa command should not be called. </policy/CMP0030>
336 CMP0029: The subdir_depends command should not be called. </policy/CMP0029>
337 CMP0028: Double colon in target name means ALIAS or IMPORTED target. </policy/CMP0028>
338 CMP0027: Conditionally linked imported targets with missing include directories. </policy/CMP0027>
339 CMP0026: Disallow use of the LOCATION target property. </policy/CMP0026>
340 CMP0025: Compiler id for Apple Clang is now AppleClang. </policy/CMP0025>
341 CMP0024: Disallow include export result. </policy/CMP0024>
343 Policies Introduced by CMake 2.8
344 ================================
349 CMP0023: Plain and keyword target_link_libraries signatures cannot be mixed. </policy/CMP0023>
350 CMP0022: INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES defines the link interface. </policy/CMP0022>
351 CMP0021: Fatal error on relative paths in INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES target property. </policy/CMP0021>
352 CMP0020: Automatically link Qt executables to qtmain target on Windows. </policy/CMP0020>
353 CMP0019: Do not re-expand variables in include and link information. </policy/CMP0019>
354 CMP0018: Ignore CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_Lang_FLAGS variable. </policy/CMP0018>
355 CMP0017: Prefer files from the CMake module directory when including from there. </policy/CMP0017>
356 CMP0016: target_link_libraries() reports error if its only argument is not a target. </policy/CMP0016>
357 CMP0015: link_directories() treats paths relative to the source dir. </policy/CMP0015>
358 CMP0014: Input directories must have CMakeLists.txt. </policy/CMP0014>
359 CMP0013: Duplicate binary directories are not allowed. </policy/CMP0013>
360 CMP0012: if() recognizes numbers and boolean constants. </policy/CMP0012>
362 Policies Introduced by CMake 2.6
363 ================================
368 CMP0011: Included scripts do automatic cmake_policy PUSH and POP. </policy/CMP0011>
369 CMP0010: Bad variable reference syntax is an error. </policy/CMP0010>
370 CMP0009: FILE GLOB_RECURSE calls should not follow symlinks by default. </policy/CMP0009>
371 CMP0008: Libraries linked by full-path must have a valid library file name. </policy/CMP0008>
372 CMP0007: list command no longer ignores empty elements. </policy/CMP0007>
373 CMP0006: Installing MACOSX_BUNDLE targets requires a BUNDLE DESTINATION. </policy/CMP0006>
374 CMP0005: Preprocessor definition values are now escaped automatically. </policy/CMP0005>
375 CMP0004: Libraries linked may not have leading or trailing whitespace. </policy/CMP0004>
376 CMP0003: Libraries linked via full path no longer produce linker search paths. </policy/CMP0003>
377 CMP0002: Logical target names must be globally unique. </policy/CMP0002>
378 CMP0001: CMAKE_BACKWARDS_COMPATIBILITY should no longer be used. </policy/CMP0001>
379 CMP0000: A minimum required CMake version must be specified. </policy/CMP0000>