FetchContentMakeAvailableNAME

FetchContent is a CMake module designed to simplify the process of downloading and integrating external libraries into your build system. It automates the retrieval of dependencies, making it easier to manage projects that rely on external code.

The primary function of FetchContent is to download the source code of a specified library. This can be done from various sources, including Git repositories, archives, or even local paths. Once the source code is downloaded, FetchContent can then integrate it into your CMake project. This integration typically involves configuring and building the external library as part of your main project's build process.

FetchContent offers several advantages. It eliminates the need for manual downloading and management of dependencies, reducing the chances of errors and ensuring that all developers on a project are using the same versions of external libraries. It also streamlines the build process, as the external library is built alongside your own code.

To use FetchContent, you typically include the module in your CMakeLists.txt file and then use its commands to specify the external library you want to download and how to find it. For example, you can specify a Git repository and a specific commit or tag to ensure reproducible builds. FetchContent handles the downloading and populating of the source code into a designated directory, which can then be used by CMake's `add_subdirectory` command or other methods to integrate the library.