pkg-config
« Back to VersTracker
Description:
Manage compile and link flags for libraries
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Sep 16, 2024
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: build development c c++ libraries compilation
Install: brew install pkg-config
About:
pkg-config is a command-line tool that retrieves metadata about installed libraries, such as compiler flags, linker flags, and version information. It simplifies the build process by providing a unified interface for build systems like Autotools, CMake, and Make to locate dependencies. Its main value is abstracting library locations and requirements, ensuring portable and correct compilation across different systems.
Key Features:
  • Provides compiler and linker flags for dependencies
  • Returns library version information
  • Supports .pc metadata files for libraries
  • Integrates with major build systems (Autotools, CMake, Make)
  • Enables portable software builds across Unix-like systems
Use Cases:
  • Configuring build scripts to locate system libraries
  • Developing portable C/C++ software that depends on external libraries
  • Managing library dependencies in Autotools or CMake projects
Alternatives:
  • pkgconf – A modern, performance-focused drop-in replacement with better dependency resolution.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 16, 2024 6:14am 3 VERSION_BUMP 81b46a14