cmake how to exclude ._ files in macos in FILE(GLOB ) directive

Question

In my cmake C++ project, I am adding source files to target by

file(GLOB HEADERS *.h)
file(GLOB SOURCES *.cpp)
add_library(${PROJECT_NAME} SHARED ${SOURCES} ${HEADERS})

In macOS this is including files like ._Source.cpp and ._Header.h I tried the REGEX

list(FILTER HEADERS REGEX "^[^\.].+" output_variable HEADERS)
list(FILTER SOURCES REGEX "^[^\.].+" output_variable SOURCES)

but this is not working.

@Florian This gave `list sub-command FILTER requires list to be present.` error — Necktwi, Feb 07 '17 at 09:02
@Florian I have corrected the syntax but still `list(FILTER HEADERS EXCLUDE REGEX "^[\.].+")` has no effect. still `._` files are being included — Necktwi, Feb 07 '17 at 09:16
`list(FILTER HEADERS EXCLUDE REGEX "^\\..+")`? I forgot that CMake needs double backslash, because it evaluates escape sequences first. — Florian, Feb 07 '17 at 09:19
See also [here](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4490793/cmake-how-to-get-the-backslash-literal-in-regexp-replace) — Florian, Feb 07 '17 at 09:26
I have used backslash to escape `.` inside `[]`. doesn't it needed? — Necktwi, Feb 07 '17 at 09:37
I don't think you need the `[]` (any-of-expression) because you only check for a single character. — Florian, Feb 07 '17 at 09:49
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/135039/discussion-between-necktwi-and-florian). — Necktwi, Feb 07 '17 at 09:52

score 10 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:01

Turning my comments into an answer

file(GLOB HEADERS RELATIVE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}" "*.h") 
file(GLOB SOURCES RELATIVE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}" "*.cpp") 

list(FILTER HEADERS EXCLUDE REGEX "^\\..+") 
list(FILTER SOURCES EXCLUDE REGEX "^\\..+"

The list(FILTER ...) needs INCLUDE or EXCLUDE keyword
The file(GLOB ...) by default will return full paths, so you need to add the RELATIVE keyword
The regex needs double backslashs, because CMake evaluates escape sequences first
You don't need the [] (any-of-expression) because you only check for a single character

Reference

CMake: how to get the backslash literal in Regexp replace?

list(FILTER ...) was introduced in cmake 3.6 – Lincoln Apr 05 '19 at 18:05 — Lincoln, Apr 05 '19 at 18:05

cmake how to exclude ._ files in macos in FILE(GLOB ) directive

1 Answers1