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ROOT_GENERATE_DICTIONARY needs to be updated to use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS with add_custom_command #21203
Description
IMPLICIT_DEPENDS is only supported in CMake for the Unix Makefiles generator and is (essentially) broken even there (technically the target is not supported to be used/seen by any other sub-directories). See recommendation given at https://discourse.cmake.org/t/add-custom-custom-multiple-output-and-multiple-directories/15474/2
The downside is that rootcling (or an additional step) needs to produce this dependency file explicitly.
This would be a solution to #20907
See the relevant/related reports/discussions of the underlying CMake limitations:
https://discourse.cmake.org/t/add-custom-custom-multiple-output-and-multiple-directories/15474
https://gitlab.kitware.com/cmake/cmake/-/issues/27521
https://github.com/pcanal/cmake_custom_command
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DhanashreePetare commentedon Feb 18, 2026
Greetings @pcanal, I am interested to work on the issue, if its still available, can this issue be assigned to me. ThankYou
pcanal commentedon Feb 18, 2026
Yes, this issue is available.
DhanashreePetare commentedon Feb 18, 2026
Okay @pcanal, I will get back with the PR for the same shortly.
[Build System] Replace IMPLICIT_DEPENDS with DEPFILE_Fixes root-proje…
DhanashreePetare commentedon Feb 22, 2026
@pcanal Tried resolving the issue, please have a look and let me know about any further chnages.
[Build System] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[Build System] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
hahnjo commentedon Aug 4, 2026
Reopen after revert; see #23009 for details
[CMake] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[Build System] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[Build System] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[CMake] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[CMake] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
github-actions commentedon Sep 1, 2026
Hi @guitargeek, @dpiparo,
It appears this issue is closed, but wasn't yet added to a project. Please add upcoming versions that will include the fix, or 'not applicable' otherwise.
Sincerely,
🤖
[CMake] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[Build System] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries
[CMake] Use DEPFILE instead of IMPLICIT_DEPENDS for dictionaries