colconcmake

colcon cmake is a command-line tool used within the colcon build system to integrate CMake-based packages. It provides a standardized way to configure, build, and install projects that utilize CMake as their build system generator. When colcon encounters a package with a CMakeLists.txt file, colcon cmake is invoked to manage the build process.

The primary function of colcon cmake is to execute CMake commands such as configure, build, and install in a predictable and reproducible manner. It handles the creation of build directories, sets up CMake arguments, and invokes the underlying CMake executable. This abstraction allows users to build complex multi-package ROS (Robot Operating System) workspaces without needing to manually manage individual package build configurations.

Key features include support for various CMake generators, the ability to pass custom CMake arguments, and integration with colcon's dependency management system. colcon cmake ensures that dependencies are correctly identified and that build environments are set up appropriately before CMake is executed. It contributes to the overall goal of colcon, which is to provide a flexible and extensible build framework for robotics and other software development projects.