Towards a modern CMake workflow

TL;DR

This paper presents an improved CMake workflow for OMNeT++ projects, enabling seamless integration with Visual Studio Code, multi-platform support, and combining simulation with production code for sustainable software development.

Contribution

It introduces a modern CMake-based workflow for OMNeT++, including Visual Studio Code integration and multi-platform compilation support.

Findings

Enhanced OMNeT++ integration in Visual Studio Code

Support for multi-platform compilation

Demonstration of combined simulation and production code architecture

Abstract

Modern CMake offers the features to manage versatile and complex projects with ease. With respect to OMNeT++ projects, a workflow relying on CMake enables projects to combine discrete event simulation and production code in a common development environment. Such a combination means less maintenance effort and thus potentially more sustainable and long-living software. This paper highlights the significant improvements since the first attempt of using CMake in OMNeT++ projects. In particular, a state-of-the-art integration of OMNeT++ in Visual Studio Code including support for debugging and multi-platform compilation is presented. Last but not least, an exemplary use case demonstrates the powerful mix of production and simulation code in a common software architecture supported by the OMNeT++ CMake package.