CMake - CPack - NSIS

 CMAKE

Cmake is a cross-platform, open-source build system, created by Kitware, in response to the need for a powerful, cross-platform build environment for open source projects.

• controls software compilation process using simple, platform and compiler independent configuration files.
• Generates native makefiles and workspaces that can be used in the compiler environment of your choice.
• CMake Generator writes input files for a native build system. It is platform specific and is available only on certain platforms. Option -G can be used to specify the generator.

From my experience, with CMake(Cross-platform Make), it is one of the most powerful, sophisticated, flexible and easy to use build system. I used it for the project we were working on. It was my first time hands on experience with CMake. Though I was skeptical about it initially, I totally cherished the learning experience. I love the concept of shadow building - meaning you can separate source data from the binary data, giving your project a clean environment. The build directory is allowed to be either in-source or outside source directory.

CMake consists of a series of macros and functions which helps one in finding the required components in a simple and precise way.

[Note : Using CMake with QT5]

CPACK

CPack is a powerful, cross-platform software packaging tool, distributed along with CMake. Though it seems to be tightly integrated with CMake, it can also function without it.
CPack can be used to generate different kind of packages based on CPack Generators.

It allows you to generate

• NSIS(Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) files for Microsoft Windows
• Linux RPM, deb and gzip distributions of both binaries and source code.
• MAC OSX Packages

Reference : Fabula