Why does CMake Error: The source directory "<project_directory>/intel_niosv_m_0_EXAMPLE_DESIGN" does not contain CMakeLists.txt. when compiling the Nios® V processor application in Command Line Interface?

Description

This problem is observed in Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 21.3 when the command “cmake -G “Unix Makefile” -B software/app/build” is executed to compile the Nios® V processor application for the design example.

This is due to missing “-S <path-to-source>“ argument. Without the argument, the cmake command defaults to the current working directory (<project_directory>/intel_niosv_m_0_EXAMPLE_DESIGN) as the source directory.

For reader’s information about this design example, the design example is provided with a readme.txt. The readme.txt guides user to create CMakeLists.txt for the design example.

• The BSP CMakeLists.txt is generated by niosv-bsp command, found in <project_directory>/intel_niosv_m_0_EXAMPLE_DESIGN/software/bsp.
• The APP CMakeLists.txt is generated by niosv-app command, found in <project_directory>/intel_niosv_m_0_EXAMPLE_DESIGN/software/app.
• There is no CMakeLists.txt in <project_directory>/intel_niosv_m_0_EXAMPLE_DESIGN.

However, the snippet of the cmake command in the readme.txt is missing “-S <path-to-source>“ argument. Thus, this error is produced.

Resolution

To fix this problem, follow one of the following steps:

Execute this command:

cmake -G "Unix Makefiles" -S software/app/ -B software/app/build

The “-S software/app/“ argument adds the CMakeLists.txt path to the source location.

OR

Change the directory to software/app folder: “cd software/app”. Then, execute the command: 

make -G "Unix Makefiles" -B build

This problem is fixed starting with the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 21.4. The readme.txt is corrected with “cmake -G "Unix Makefiles" -S software/app/ -B software/app/build“