Libraries: A First Step Toward Standard C++ Dependency Management - 2023

Explore the complexities of C++ library management and learn about ongoing efforts to standardize dependency handling in this conference talk from CppCon 2023. Delve into the challenges of working with various types of C++ libraries, including header-only, statically-linked, and dynamically-linked variants. Discover how inconsistent library usage techniques can impact workflow productivity and potentially lead to production failures. Gain insights into the collaborative work between Kitware, Bloomberg, and other organizations towards creating initial standards for C++ dependency management through metadata files. Examine a roadmap for further developing these standards, including proposals for a unified definition of C++ libraries. Suitable for library producers, maintainers, and consumers, this talk provides valuable information on improving C++ ecosystem interoperability without requiring specialized knowledge of tooling, build systems, or package managers.