CMake with Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools -

edit: having posted issue tracker , stepped through cmake devs, isn't cmake problem. broken msbuild installation causes return "the operation completed successfully." error. still no resolution on issue overall, narrows down potential causes.

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i'm trying build cmake project on windows using ms visual c++ build tools 2015 (note: not full visual studio). cmake, however, apparently unable find cl.exe

cmake .. -- building for: visual studio 14 2015 -- c compiler identification unknown -- cxx compiler identification unknown cmake error @ cmakelists.txt:4 (project):   no cmake_c_compiler found.    cmake error @ cmakelists.txt:4 (project):   no cmake_cxx_compiler found. 

i suspect because cmake expecting find compiler in visual studio installation perhaps standalone build tools install in different location? possible configure cmake elsewhere compiler?

edit: head possibility off @ pass, cl.exe installed. when open visual c++ shell (adds tools path) cl.exe outputs:

cl.exe microsoft (r) c/c++ optimizing compiler version 19.00.24210 x86 copyright (c) microsoft corporation.  rights reserved.  usage: cl [ option... ] filename... [ /link linkoption... ] 

and same environment i'm running cmake .. cl.exe on path discovery cmake.

edit 2: looking @ cmakeerror.log file see couple variants of following

compiling cxx compiler identification source file "cmakecxxcompilerid.cpp" failed. compiler:   build flags:  id flags:    output was: 1 microsoft (r) build engine version 14.0.25420.1 copyright (c) microsoft corporation. rights reserved.  build started 4/14/2017 11:58:13 am. project "e:\<project_dir>\build\cmakefiles\3.8.0-rc4\compileridcxx\compileridcxx.vcxproj" on node 1 (default targets). prepareforbuild:   creating directory "debug\".   creating directory "debug\compileridcxx.tlog\". initializebuildstatus:   creating "debug\compileridcxx.tlog\unsuccessfulbuild" because "alwayscreate" specified. clcompile:   c:\program files (x86)\microsoft visual studio 14.0\vc\bin\cl.exe /c /nologo /w0 /wx- /od /oy- /d _mbcs /gm- /ehsc /rtc1 /mdd /gs /fp:precise /zc:wchar_t /zc:forscope /zc:inline /fo"debug\\" /fd"debug\vc140.pdb" /gd /tp /analyze- /errorreport:queue cmakecxxcompilerid.cpp tracker : error trk0002: failed execute command: ""c:\program files (x86)\microsoft visual studio 14.0\vc\bin\cl.exe" @c:\users\<user>\appdata\local\temp\tmpa0925a9f05d5426d82afdcee8d722031.rsp". operation completed successfully. [e:\<project_dir>\build\cmakefiles\3.8.0-rc4\compileridcxx\compileridcxx.vcxproj]   done building project "e:\<project_dir>\build\cmakefiles\3.8.0-rc4\compileridcxx\compileridcxx.vcxproj" (default targets) -- failed.  build failed.  "e:\<project_dir>\build\cmakefiles\3.8.0-rc4\compileridcxx\compileridcxx.vcxproj" (default target) (1) -> (clcompile target) ->    tracker : error trk0002: failed execute command: ""c:\program files (x86)\microsoft visual studio 14.0\vc\bin\cl.exe" @c:\users\<user>\appdata\local\temp\tmpa0925a9f05d5426d82afdcee8d722031.rsp". operation completed successfully. [e:\<project_dir>\build\cmakefiles\3.8.0-rc4\compileridcxx\compileridcxx.vcxproj]      0 warning(s)     1 error(s)  time elapsed 00:00:01.21 

this looks kind of output compatibility issue, "error: operation completed successfully." lines. i'm using cmake 3.8.0-rc4 , visual c++ 2015 build tools. ideas?

edit 3: thought upgrading 3.8.0-rc4 3.8.0 might fix it, no avail. considered using 64bit cmake trying build 32 bit program changed well. no luck yet.

edit 4: also, record, build cmake on pc full vs 2015 installed.

i'm not sure bring solution the operation completed successfully problem, able compile [big] real-life project using cmake 3.8.1 , c++2015 buildtools.

the trick use "vs2015 x64 native tools command prompt" (or x86). either call cmake using prompt, or call prompt normal prompt , set path properly.

rem set include/lib paths of visual studio call "c:\program files (x86)\microsoft visual c++ build tools\vcbuildtools.bat" amd64  cd to_build_dir  rem call cmake right parameters "c:\program files\cmake\bin\cmake.exe" .......  rem build xyz project msbuild.exe solution_file.sln /t:xyz ....... 

as wrote, i'm not sure fix error because wasn't able reproduce it. however, know project compile when use right prompt. when i'm not using it, error msb4019: imported project "c:\microsoft.cpp.default.props" not found. confirm path in <import> declaration correct, , file exists on disk.