This code is still in BETA and may not work when used. This is just a side project that exists solely because I hate FetchContent and ExternalProject.

get_project() function, downloads and adds as a sub directory (can be disabled) an external library. The download is performed at configuration time. Does not rely on FetchContent or ExternalProject.

The default directory where GetProject puts the libraries in ${CMAKE_HOME_DIRECTORY}/libs. If the GET_PROJECT_OUTPUT_DIR is set before including GetProject.cmake, the user defined directory will be used.

The output will be placed in ${GET_PROJECT_OUTPUT_DIR}/${LIBRARY_NAME}. LIBRARY_NAME will be obtained through the GIT_REPOSITORY if not provided.

get_project(
 URL # Library URL
 GIT_REPOSITORY # Library git repository
 FILE # If ARGS_URL downloads a single file
 LIBRARY_NAME # Library name (can be inferred from git repo)
 INSTALL_ENABLED # If the library needs to be installed (requires extra build)
 DOWNLOAD_ONLY # If ON the library won't be added as a sub directory
 BRANCH # Library git branch
 KEEP_UPDATED # If the library should be kept updated
 VERSION # A valid tag or LATEST for the latest release
 OPTIONS # Options that will be defined before adding the sub directory.
)

Setting INSTALL_ENABLED to true will cause the script to configure, build and then install the library. This will be done at configure time.

The URL, GIT_REPOSITORY arguments are mutually exclusive.

The BRANCH arguments may be used with the KEEP_UPDATED option, VERSION is used when no branch is provided.