# Could not find CMAKE\_C\_COMPILER using the following names: arm-none-eabi-gcc
**URL:** https://discourse.cmake.org/t/could-not-find-cmake-c-compiler-using-the-following-names-arm-none-eabi-gcc/9761
**Category:** Usage
**Created:** [January 3, 2024, 6:26am UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/could-not-find-cmake-c-compiler-using-the-following-names-arm-none-eabi-gcc/9761 "2024-01-03T06:26:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@f-zl](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/f-zl)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2024, 6:26am UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/could-not-find-cmake-c-compiler-using-the-following-names-arm-none-eabi-gcc/9761/1 "2024-01-03T06:26:15Z")
I need to write a toolchain file that allows the user to specify the compiler binary’s directory, because the user may install different toolchains with the same compiler name.
```cmake
# This file depends on TOOLCHAIN_BIN_PATH provided by user
set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Generic)
set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR ARM)
set(CMAKE_TRY_COMPILE_TARGET_TYPE STATIC_LIBRARY)
set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER "${TOOLCHAIN_BIN_PATH}/arm-none-eabi-gcc.exe")
set(CMAKE_ASM_COMPILER ${CMAKE_C_COMPILER})
set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH ${TOOLCHAIN_BIN_PATH})
set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_PROGRAM NEVER)
set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_LIBRARY ONLY)
set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_INCLUDE ONLY)
```
The above toolchain file works. But it uses the non-portable .exe extension. I want to make it portable so I replace the line `set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER "${TOOLCHAIN_BIN_PATH}/arm-none-eabi-gcc.exe")` with `find_program(CMAKE_C_COMPILER arm-none-eabi-gcc PATHS ${TOOLCHAIN_BIN_PATH} REQUIRED NO_DEFAULT_PATH)`
The error message is
> – The C compiler identification is GNU 11.3.1
> – The ASM compiler identification is GNU
> – Found assembler: D:/Program/STM32CubeIDE/STM32CubeIDE/plugins/com.st.stm32cube.ide.mcu.externaltools.gnu-tools-for-stm32.11.3.rel1.win32\_1.1.100.202309141235/tools/bin/arm-none-eabi-gcc.exe
> – Check for working C compiler: D:/Program/STM32CubeIDE/STM32CubeIDE/plugins/com.st.stm32cube.ide.mcu.externaltools.gnu-tools-for-stm32.11.3.rel1.win32\_1.1.100.202309141235/tools/bin/arm-none-eabi-gcc.exe
> CMake Error at D:/repo/toolchain.cmake:8 (find\_program):
> Could not find CMAKE\_C\_COMPILER using the following names:
> arm-none-eabi-gcc
> Call Stack (most recent call first):
> D:/repo/build/CMakeFiles/3.28.0/CMakeSystem.cmake:6 (include)
> D:/repo/build/CMakeFiles/CMakeScratch/TryCompile-fjk3in/CMakeLists.txt:4 (project)
> CMake Error at C:/msys64/mingw64/share/cmake/Modules/CMakeTestCCompiler.cmake:56 (try\_compile):
> Failed to configure test project build system.
> Call Stack (most recent call first):
> CMakeLists.txt:12 (project)
> – Configuring incomplete, errors occurred!
It seems the toolchain file was evaluated more than once. In the second run, the TOOLCHAIN\_BIN\_PATH was empty.
TOOLCHAIN\_BIN\_PATH is supposed to be passed from command line like `cmake .. -DTOOLCHAIN_BIN_PATH=`. The toolchain file is set in the CMakeLists via `set(CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE toolchain.cmake)`
---
### Author:  [@ben.boeckel](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/ben.boeckel)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/could-not-find-cmake-c-compiler-using-the-following-names-arm-none-eabi-gcc/9761/2 "2024-01-11T14:11:20Z")
> [@f-zl](#):
>
> The toolchain file is set in the CMakeLists via `set(CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE toolchain.cmake)`
Where? It really should be a user setting, but if you’re doing this it must be before any `project()` calls.
---
### Author:  [@f-zl](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/f-zl)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2024, 9:44am UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/could-not-find-cmake-c-compiler-using-the-following-names-arm-none-eabi-gcc/9761/3 "2024-01-12T09:44:52Z")
Structure of my CMakeLists.txt:
```cmake
cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.16)
set(CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE toolchain.cmake)
project(hello LANGUAGES C ASM)
add_executable(hello
# files
)
# target_include_directories, target_compile_options, target_link_options
```