INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES do not work as documented

Adam_BZH · July 8, 2025, 4:00pm

Using version 3.28, Linux Ubuntu 24.04

As title suggests, having issue with a simple library and consumer use case. library’s INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES is populated, but when I use add_subdirectory(library) to include the library dir, then target_include_directories(consumer PRIVATE library_obj), the consumer’s INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES did not inherent anything from library’s INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES

I did some resarch, that I understand it is not being populated until the generation process, but from my testing, it even not being populated while compiling, which resulting in error

I have verified it indeed not being populated by use following file command to output generated result in a file

file(GENERATE
  OUTPUT soc_obj_include_directories.txt
  CONTENT "include directories: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:soc_obj,INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>\n"
)

If I do this, it works, but a workaround isn’t idea as there are other INTERFACE_xxx needs to be inherited

target_include_directories(soc_obj 
  PRIVATE $<TARGET_PROPERTY:stm32_drivers_obj,INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>)

Am I missed something?

Script and List Files

library → stm32_drivers_obj
consumer → soc_obj

`module_common.cmake`

###############################
# includes
include(CMakePrintHelpers)
include(ExternalProject)


###############################
# settings
set(CMAKE_INCLUDE_CURRENT_DIR ON)
set(CMAKE_INCLUDE_CURRENT_DIR_IN_INTERFACE ON)

###############################
# common helpers

set(GLOB_DIR_IGNORE_LIST_REGEX
  ".*\.git.*"
  ".*\.github.*"
)

macro(module_name_generate)
  get_filename_component(MODULE_NAME "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}" NAME)
  string(REPLACE " " "_" MODULE_NAME "${MODULE_NAME}")
  string(REPLACE "-" "_" MODULE_NAME "${MODULE_NAME}")
  # string(TOLOWER "${MODULE_NAME}" MODULE_NAME)
  string(APPEND MODULE_NAME "_obj")
endmacro()

macro(module_glob_source prefix path relative)
  file(
    GLOB_RECURSE "${prefix}_sources_tmp"
    RELATIVE ${relative}
    "${path}/*.c"
    "${path}/*.cpp"
    "${path}/*.s"
  )
  list(APPEND ${prefix}_sources ${${prefix}_sources_tmp})
  unset(${prefix}_sources_tmp)
  # deduplicate subdirs
  list(REMOVE_DUPLICATES ${prefix}_sources)
  # sort
  list(SORT ${prefix}_sources)
endmacro()

macro(module_glob_include prefix path relative)
  file(
    GLOB_RECURSE "${prefix}_subdirs"
    RELATIVE ${relative}
    "${path}/*.h"
    "${path}/*.hpp"
  )
  # global ignore
  foreach(item ${GLOB_DIR_IGNORE_LIST_REGEX})
    list(FILTER ${prefix}_subdirs EXCLUDE REGEX "${item}")
  endforeach()
  # remove file names
  list(APPEND ${prefix}_subdirs_tmp ${dir})
  foreach(item ${${prefix}_subdirs})
    get_filename_component(dir ${item} DIRECTORY)
    list(APPEND ${prefix}_subdirs_tmp ${dir})
  endforeach()
  set("${prefix}_subdirs" ${${prefix}_subdirs_tmp})
  unset(${prefix}_subdirs_tmp)
  # merge
  list(APPEND ${prefix}_includes ${${prefix}_subdirs})
  # deduplicate subdirs
  list(REMOVE_DUPLICATES ${prefix}_includes)
  # sort
  list(SORT ${prefix}_includes)
endmacro()

macro(module_print_declare name path src_list inc_list)
  message(STATUS "============ Module Declare ============")
  message(STATUS "Name: ${name}")
  message(STATUS "Path: ${path}")
  message(STATUS "Source:")
  foreach(item ${src_list})
    message(STATUS "\t${item}")
  endforeach()
  message(STATUS "Include:")
  foreach(item ${inc_list})
    message(STATUS "\t${item}")
  endforeach()
  message(STATUS "----------------------------------------")
endmacro()

macro(module_var_clear)
  unset(${name}_sources)
  unset(${name}_includes)
endmacro()

macro(module_print_properties name)
  message(STATUS "============ Module Properties ============")
  cmake_print_properties(
    TARGETS ${name}
    PROPERTIES 
    NAME
    SOURCE_DIR
    BINARY_DIR
    SOURCES
    INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES
    INTERFACE_COMPILE_DEFINITIONS
    INTERFACE_COMPILE_OPTIONS
    INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES
    INTERFACE_LINK_DEPENDS
    INTERFACE_LINK_DIRECTORIES
    INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES
    INTERFACE_LINK_OPTIONS
  )
  message(STATUS "-------------------------------------------")
endmacro()

###############################
# module_lib_add_glob (the simple lazy method)
macro(module_lib_add_glob name path)
  # src glob
  module_glob_source(${name} ${path} ${path})
  # include glob
  module_glob_include(${name} ${path} ${path})
  # obj
  add_library(
    # target name
    ${name}
    # options
    STATIC
    # sources
    ${${name}_sources}
  )
  # include
  list(APPEND ${name}_includes ${path})
  target_include_directories(
    ${name}
    PUBLIC
    ${${name}_includes}
  )

  module_print_declare(${name} ${path} "${${name}_sources}" "${${name}_includes}")
  module_var_clear()
endmacro()

###############################
# module_lib_add
macro(module_lib_add name srcs incs)

  # to standard name
  set(${name}_sources ${srcs})
  set(${name}_includes ${incs})

  add_library(
    # target name
    ${name}
    # options
    STATIC
    # sources
    ${srcs}
  )
  target_include_directories(
    ${name}
    PUBLIC
    ${incs}
  )

  module_print_declare(${name} ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR} "${${name}_sources}" "${${name}_includes}")
  module_var_clear()
endmacro()

`library/CMakeLists.txt`

# includes
include("${TOP_DIR}/cmake/module_common.cmake")

module_name_generate() # provide MODULE_NAME

set(STM32CubePack_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/STM32CubeH7")

###############################
# includes
module_glob_include(
    # name / prefix
    "${MODULE_NAME}"
    # path
    "${STM32CubePack_DIR}/Drivers/CMSIS/Core"
    # relative
    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}"
)
module_glob_include(
    # name / prefix
    "${MODULE_NAME}"
    # path
    "${STM32CubePack_DIR}/Drivers/CMSIS/Device/"
    # relative
    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}"
)
module_glob_include(
    # name / prefix
    "${MODULE_NAME}"
    # path
    "${STM32CubePack_DIR}/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver"
    # relative
    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}"
)

list(APPEND ${MODULE_NAME}_includes
    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/port"
)

###############################
# sources
file(GLOB ${MODULE_NAME}_sources
    RELATIVE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_cortex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_adc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_adc_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dcmi.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma2d.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dsi.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_exti.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_flash.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_flash_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_gpio.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_i2c.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_i2c_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_jpeg.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_lptim.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_ltdc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_ltdc_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_mdma.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_mmc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pcd.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pcd_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pwr.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pwr_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_qspi.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rcc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rcc_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rng.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rtc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rtc_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_sdram.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_spi.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_sram.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_tim.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_tim_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_uart.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_uart_ex.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_usart.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_wwdg.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_fmc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_sdmmc.c"
    "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_usb.c"

    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/port/*.c"
    # "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/port/*.s"
)

# not used, manual specified
# module_glob_source(
#     # name / prefix
#     "${MODULE_NAME}"
#     # path
#     "${STM32CubePack_DIR}/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver"
#     # relative
#     "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}"
# )

###############################
# object
module_lib_add(
    ${MODULE_NAME}
    "${${MODULE_NAME}_sources}"
    "${${MODULE_NAME}_includes}"
)

`consumer/CMakeLists.txt`

# includes
include("${TOP_DIR}/cmake/module_common.cmake")

module_name_generate() # provide MODULE_NAME

module_lib_add_glob(
    ${MODULE_NAME}
    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}"
)

`CMakeLists.txt` (top level)

# includes
include("${TOP_DIR}/cmake/module_common.cmake")

module_name_generate() # provide MODULE_NAME

add_subdirectory(stm32_drivers)
module_print_properties(stm32_drivers_obj)

add_subdirectory(soc)
target_include_directories(soc_obj PUBLIC stm32_drivers_obj)
# target_include_directories(soc_obj 
#   PRIVATE $<TARGET_PROPERTY:stm32_drivers_obj,INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>)
file(GENERATE
  OUTPUT soc_obj_include_directories.txt
  CONTENT "include directories: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:soc_obj,INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>\n"
)
module_print_properties(soc_obj)

Log

**
As I said I understand this won’t print out here during configuration process, this log is just for providing an overall file tree
**

[main] Configuring project: _firmware 
[proc] Executing command: /usr/bin/cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=Debug -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:STRING=/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/.install -DCMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS:BOOL=TRUE -DCMAKE_C_COMPILER:FILEPATH=/usr/bin/arm-none-eabi-gcc -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER:FILEPATH=/usr/bin/arm-none-eabi-g++ --no-warn-unused-cli -S/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware -B/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/.build -G Ninja
[cmake] Not searching for unused variables given on the command line.
[cmake] -- ============ Module Declare ============
[cmake] -- Name: stm32_drivers_obj
[cmake] -- Path: /home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers
[cmake] -- Source:
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_adc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_adc_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_cortex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dcmi.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma2d.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dsi.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_exti.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_flash.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_flash_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_gpio.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_i2c.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_i2c_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_jpeg.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_lptim.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_ltdc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_ltdc_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_mdma.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_mmc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pcd.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pcd_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pwr.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pwr_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_qspi.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rcc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rcc_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rng.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rtc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rtc_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_sdram.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_spi.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_sram.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_tim.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_tim_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_uart.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_uart_ex.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_usart.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_wwdg.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_fmc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_sdmmc.c
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_usb.c
[cmake] -- 	port/system_stm32h7xx_dualcore_bootcm7_cm4gated.c
[cmake] -- Include:
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/CMSIS/Core/Include
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/CMSIS/Device/ST/STM32H7xx/Include
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Inc
[cmake] -- 	STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Inc/Legacy
[cmake] -- 	/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/port
[cmake] -- ----------------------------------------
[cmake] -- ============ Module Properties ============
[cmake] -- 
[cmake]  Properties for TARGET stm32_drivers_obj:
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.NAME = "stm32_drivers_obj"
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.SOURCE_DIR = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers"
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.BINARY_DIR = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/.build/hal/stm32_drivers"
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.SOURCES = "STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_adc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_adc_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_cortex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dcmi.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma2d.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dma_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_dsi.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_exti.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_flash.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_flash_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_gpio.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_i2c.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_i2c_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_jpeg.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_lptim.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_ltdc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_ltdc_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_mdma.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_mmc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pcd.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pcd_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pwr.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_pwr_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_qspi.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rcc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rcc_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rng.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rtc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_rtc_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_sdram.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_spi.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_sram.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_tim.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_tim_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_uart.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_uart_ex.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_usart.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_hal_wwdg.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_fmc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_sdmmc.c;STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Src/stm32h7xx_ll_usb.c;port/system_stm32h7xx_dualcore_bootcm7_cm4gated.c"
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/CMSIS/Core/Include;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/CMSIS/Device/ST/STM32H7xx/Include;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Inc;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Inc/Legacy;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/port"
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_COMPILE_DEFINITIONS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_COMPILE_OPTIONS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/CMSIS/Core/Include;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/CMSIS/Device/ST/STM32H7xx/Include;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Inc;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/STM32CubeH7/Drivers/STM32H7xx_HAL_Driver/Inc/Legacy;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers/port"
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_DEPENDS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_DIRECTORIES = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    stm32_drivers_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_OPTIONS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake] 
[cmake] -- -------------------------------------------
[cmake] -- ============ Module Declare ============
[cmake] -- Name: soc_obj
[cmake] -- Path: /home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc
[cmake] -- Source:
[cmake] -- 	adc/adc.c
[cmake] -- Include:
[cmake] -- 	adc
[cmake] -- 	/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc
[cmake] -- ----------------------------------------
[cmake] -- ============ Module Properties ============
[cmake] -- 
[cmake]  Properties for TARGET soc_obj:
[cmake]    soc_obj.NAME = "soc_obj"
[cmake]    soc_obj.SOURCE_DIR = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc"
[cmake]    soc_obj.BINARY_DIR = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/.build/hal/soc"
[cmake]    soc_obj.SOURCES = "adc/adc.c"
[cmake]    soc_obj.INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc/adc;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers_obj;$<TARGET_PROPERTY:stm32_drivers_obj,INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>"
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_COMPILE_DEFINITIONS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_COMPILE_OPTIONS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES = "/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc/adc;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/soc;/home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/hal/stm32_drivers_obj"
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_DEPENDS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_DIRECTORIES = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake]    soc_obj.INTERFACE_LINK_OPTIONS = <NOTFOUND>
[cmake] 
[cmake] -- -------------------------------------------
[cmake] -- Configuring done (0.0s)
[cmake] -- Generating done (0.0s)
[cmake] -- Build files have been written to: /home/user1/Desktop/project_nk/nk-firmware-model2_cmake/_firmware/.build

ClausKlein · July 8, 2025, 6:47pm

add_library(Algo SHARED)
target_sources(
    Algo
    PRIVATE algo-impl.cpp
    PUBLIC FILE_SET CXX_MODULES FILES algo-interface.cppm
)
target_compile_features(Algo PUBLIC cxx_std_23)

include(GenerateExportHeader)
generate_export_header(Algo)
target_sources(
    Algo
    PUBLIC
        FILE_SET HEADERS
        BASE_DIRS ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}
        FILES ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/algo_export.h
)

file(GENERATE
  OUTPUT Algo.txt
  CONTENT "include directories: $<TARGET_PROPERTY:Algo,INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>\n"
)

cat build/Algo.txt:

include directories: /Users/clausklein/Workspace/cpp/cxx23/demo/build

Works fine?

Adam_BZH · July 9, 2025, 3:28am

This looks like a different use case than mine, I’m not making a library to be installed with headers then packed and shipped.

What I’m looking for is a way to let any other target depends on the library automatically inherit library’s public linclude

In my example, unless I do following, otherwise this is not happning

# target_include_directories(soc_obj 
#   PRIVATE $<TARGET_PROPERTY:stm32_drivers_obj,INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES>)

ClausKlein · July 9, 2025, 3:48am

can you provide a minimum working example reproducing the behaviour?

Adam_BZH · July 9, 2025, 4:09am

well turns out I’m an idiot, the INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES inherit only happening when calling target_link_libraries(target PRIVATE library), but not on target_include_directories

INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES do not work as documented

Script and List Files

module_common.cmake

library/CMakeLists.txt

consumer/CMakeLists.txt

CMakeLists.txt (top level)

Log

`module_common.cmake`

`library/CMakeLists.txt`

`consumer/CMakeLists.txt`

`CMakeLists.txt` (top level)