# I want Help Understanding Some Build Issues in CMake Development

**URL:** https://discourse.cmake.org/t/i-want-help-understanding-some-build-issues-in-cmake-development/15076
**Category:** Development
**Created:** [August 20, 2025, 1:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/i-want-help-understanding-some-build-issues-in-cmake-development/15076 "2025-08-20T13:14:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Charlotte](https://discourse.cmake.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/65b543/32.png) [@Charlotte](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/Charlotte)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2025, 1:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/i-want-help-understanding-some-build-issues-in-cmake-development/15076/1 "2025-08-20T13:14:06Z")

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Hey everyone,

I have been spending some time experimenting with CMake for one of my projects & I am facing situations that I can not wrap my head around. I understand the basics of creating simple CMakeLists & linking libraries but when it comes to more complex builds, things start getting a little confusing for me. For example, handling multiple targets or setting up custom commands often feels such as trial and error rather than a clear approach.

Also I tried looking through the docs & examples but I am not sure when to use certain properties or how to structure things for larger projects. I want to know how others learned these advanced parts of CMake; Did you just dive into source code or are there guides you would suggest?

By the way, while doing some research I also came across something related to a [CSM Course](https://www.igmguru.com/agile-and-scrum/csm-certification-training) & it made me wonder if structured training helps in understanding tools such as CMake better. Also i have check this [Is it possible to hide targets/commands when running `cmake --build build --target help`?](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/is-it-possible-to-hide-targets-commands-when-running-cmake-build-build-target-help/5936) still need help.

Thank you..🙂

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### Author: ![vito.gamberini](https://discourse.cmake.org/user_avatar/discourse.cmake.org/vito.gamberini/32/4376_2.png) [@vito.gamberini](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/vito.gamberini)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/i-want-help-understanding-some-build-issues-in-cmake-development/15076/2 "2025-08-21T17:46:47Z")

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It’s mostly reading docs. You’re not “doing it wrong”, some stuff is complicated.

After that it’s mostly good taste, which develops with time. You read and write a lot of CMake and you learn how things should and shouldn’t be done.

There’s no update on private targets, AFAIK no one is working on it.