[Development] Switch the main "Qt Build System"

[Matthew Woehlke]

On 09/06/2020 14.38, Thiago Macieira wrote:
> On Tuesday, 9 June 2020 00:27:35 PDT Shawn Rutledge wrote:
>> FWIW the configuration mechanism seems a bit less friendly so far with all
>> those -DSHOUTED options like -DFEATURE_developer_build=ON instead of
>> configure -developer-build.
> 
> The syntax of CMake was why KDE decided in 2004 not to use CMake and instead
> use Scons/Waf.
> 
> Worked out pretty well, right?
> 
> The maturity of the project matters  A LOT more than the syntax.

Yup. This is a cold, hard truth, but it *is* the truth. If it wasn't, 
CMake would either a) not be as successful as it is, or b) wouldn't have 
this issue.

Yes, the syntax/language is a wart. Everyone knows that and would like 
to do something about it, *including the CMake developers*. So far, 
however, no one has stepped up to do that work.

Several build systems (including QBS) have tried to supplant CMake, but 
have not yet succeeded. Build systems are *hard*, and the complexity 
that folks like to point to as one of CMake's biggest "flaws" exists for 
a reason. Nor is switching to a new scripting language as 
straight-forward as you might think.

Again, someone that cares enough to dig in to the necessary degree (or 
pony up the cash to pay for doing so) would be *welcomed*.

-- 
Matthew