feat(c++): Improve CMakeLists.txt for portable library distribution and installation

[yangxk1]

Describe the enhancement requested

rel: #806
The current CMakeLists.txt in GraphAr does not fully support robust distribution and installation of the library. This issue proposes a comprehensive update to:

• Generate install targets for library components and headers
• Export CMake config files for find_package support in downstream projects
• Ensure headers, artifacts, and dependencies are correctly installed
• Facilitate use in various build systems and package managers

These enhancements will improve the adoption and packaging of GraphAr for both users and external contributors.

Component(s)

C++

[tanmoyPaul12]

Hi! I’m interested in working on this issue

Planned approach:

Add proper CMake install() rules for libraries and public headers
Export targets and generate CMake config files to support find_package(GraphAr)
Validate installation and usage from a minimal downstream project

Please let me know if this works for you. Thanks!

[yangxk1]

Hi @tanmoyPaul12 , thanks for claiming this!
While working on the CMake configuration, could you please consider the following linking strategy to ensure the distribution is robust?

1. Hybrid Linking:

• Dependencies built from source (bundled) should ideally be statically linked (e.g., by forcing BUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF for those targets). This keeps the installation self-contained.
• System dependencies can remain dynamic (or whatever the system provides).

2. RPATH Configuration:

• For dynamic linking, please ensure CMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH is correctly set (e.g., using $ORIGIN on Linux) so that users don't need to manually configure LD_LIBRARY_PATH to run the installed library.

The following is the ideal rendering proposed by @Sober7135

I also wrote a draft, hope it helps. https://github.com/yangxk1/incubator-graphar/blob/810-improve-cmakelist-library-distribution/cpp/CMakeLists.txt

cc @Sober7135

[tanmoyPaul12]

@yangxk1 Thanks for the detailed guidance and the draft. I’ll follow the hybrid linking approach you suggested and make sure the RPATH is set correctly