The build directory needs to be at the same level as the source directory.

ModelTech

Just updated my Qt and Qt creator to the latest version and now I get the warning message "Warning: The build directory needs to be at the same level as the source directory." Why would having the build directory at the same level as the source directory desirable?

mrjj

Hi
Does it also say so with a new project?
if, no, then try to delete the .pro.user for the project in question.

ModelTech

The message also appears if I remove the .pro.user file. For a new project, I already get the same warning when configuring the build settings.

mrjj

ok. i also just updated and get none such warning no matter how i set
build folder. with or without shadow build.

SGaist

Hi,

What version of Qt ? Qt Creator ? OS ?

jax1157

Having the same issue too (just showed up since the update).

QtCreator 4.1.0
Qt 5.7

Approx code structure:

Shadow
- Project.pro
- Project.pro.user
- Various Source Dirs
- tmp
  - build_platform_... (where I build to)

I don't want these directories up 1 level at all (which is what the error seems to be telling me)!!

Settings build dir is: ./tmp/build-%{CurrentProject:Name}-%{CurrentKit:FileSystemName}-%{CurrentBuild:Name}
Warning shows up when I build, and also when I configure the project.

jsulm

@jax1157 I don't know how to fix this. But it is really much better to keep the binaries outside of your project source tree.

jax1157

@jsulm The trouble is that if you have all of your shadows in a single place, then the object trees conflict. So, it can be a good idea to keep the shadow contained...

Would be better if QMake stopped complaining... It didn't use to...

jax1157

Extra info:

The operating system is OSX (El Capitan).
Have already tried re-creating .pro.user files but makes no difference.
The error showed up after after upgrading to QtCreator 4.1.0

SGaist

qmake is innocent. That's a Qt Creator message.

Why would the object tree conflict ? Qt Creator generates names that are "unique" to your project for the shadow build. So unless you are building projects with the exact same name using the same kit with the shadow build in the same folder, you should be good.

jax1157

@SGaist

The tree conflicts because the names are not unique... If you are building several different branches of the same project, then the kit is the same, as is the project.

Also, if you do as you suggest, you end up with a massive mess of build directories littering the directory above the shadows. Not a good situation...

Encapsulating the build files in a shadow is pretty common - And like I said, Qt Creator didn't used to complain.

kshegunov

@jax1157 said in The build directory needs to be at the same level as the source directory.:

And like I said, Qt Creator didn't used to complain.

It did. I have encountered it numerous times. This error message is very, very old - an example of a similar thread from the far, far 2011.

Also this isn't shadow building. The binaries are under your source tree, whence the message.
Structure like this:

build_1
build_2
project dir
- projectfile.pro
- sourcefile.cpp
- headerfile.h
- ...

Is a shadow build configuration. If you use that structure you won't get the message.

jax1157

@kshegunov Yes - That structure that you have shown there is exactly what we are trying to avoid.

kshegunov

@jax1157 said in The build directory needs to be at the same level as the source directory.:

Yes - That structure that you have shown there is exactly what we are trying to avoid.

If you ask me that's the structure you should be striving for, all builds having all the necessary isolation from one another and being out of the source tree, but that's just my opinion. I don't think you can have "Shadow building" enabled in Creator and have the build folder on a level different from the source.

jax1157

@kshegunov

You definitely used to be able to do it - The warning is only since 4.1.0. I do remember it doing it in 2011 (now that you mention it), but they fixed that up pretty quickly.

Just to explain re builds:

A shadow looks like this with no builds:

Shadow
- Toplevel1.pro
- Source1
- Source2

The choices are:

Option A

Shadow
- Toplevel1.pro
- Source1
- Source2
- Build1
- Build2

Ugly - Top level of the shadow now has a heap of build directories (1 per config), all of which have to be ignored, and mixed in with the source. Also - This is what Qt Creator seems to want by default.

Option B

Build 1
Build 2
Shadow
- Toplevel1.pro
- Source1
- Source2

Definitely not! If you have >1 shadow (from different branches of the same source), then the build directories conflict.

Option C

Shadow
- Toplevel1.pro
- Source1
- Source2
- Build
  - Build1
  - Build2

What I want. Most common structure I have seen. Can clean source tree completely by removing "build" directory only. No conflicts with other shadows. Used to work - Now doesn't.

mrjj

Im also starting see these after upgrade.
I did not change project layout and it do not show in version before 4.1.0

So its a new check of sorts?

I have all build folders on ramdrive. since day one. never saw this message before.

kshegunov

@mrjj said in The build directory needs to be at the same level as the source directory.:

So its a new check of sorts?

Maybe only on windows. I always had that warning ...

jax1157

@kshegunov On Mac also. The check went away for a few years, but now it is back.

kshegunov

@jax1157 said in The build directory needs to be at the same level as the source directory.:

On Mac also.

I don't touch that stuff, sorry. I'm not rich enough to buy an overpriced PC.

The check went away for a few years, but now it is back.

The joke aside, I just might be remembering wrong, it happens too often I'm afraid.

mrjj

But why does it warn me?
It still works. And its really not on
same level as it's on a separate drive.