Question

I would like to run a code generator every time my project is built in Visual Studio, even if no source file in the project was changed. Therefore I would like to have a custom build step set up as explained in Visual Studio: Run C++ project Post-Build Event even if project is up-to-date.

How can I create such a build step with CMake?

Answer 1

I think a custom target is what you are looking for: add_custom_target

From the documentation:

Add a target with no output so it will always be built.

Or if you are generating a code file,

https://cmake.org/cmake/help/v2.8.8/cmake.html#command:add_custom_target

can be run POST_BUILD and generate output.