Use CMAKE_LINKER_TYPE in CMake 3.29+

[rdong8]

The proper way to set the linker in CMake 3.29+ is with this new variable. The example from the bottom of this page suggests something like this (target specific):

set_property(TARGET "${project_name}" PROPERTY LINKER_TYPE "MOLD")

or globally:

set(CMAKE_LINKER_TYPE "MOLD")

[benjamin051000]

What happens if you don't have mold installed? Could it be guarded by checking which mold?

[rdong8]

I think the default error is clear enough:

cmake -S . -B build -G "Ninja Multi-Config" -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=clang++
-- The C compiler identification is GNU 14.2.1
-- The CXX compiler identification is Clang 18.1.8
-- Detecting C compiler ABI info
-- Detecting C compiler ABI info - done
-- Check for working C compiler: /usr/bin/cc - skipped
-- Detecting C compile features
-- Detecting C compile features - done
-- Detecting CXX compiler ABI info
-- Detecting CXX compiler ABI info - done
-- Check for working CXX compiler: /usr/bin/clang++ - skipped
-- Detecting CXX compile features
-- Detecting CXX compile features - done
-- INTERFACE_LINKER_TYPE for target 'config' is:
-- INTERFACE_LINKER_TYPE for target 'lib' is:
-- INTERFACE_LINKER_TYPE for target 'app' is:
-- Configuring done (0.7s)
CMake Error in CMakeLists.txt:
  LINKER_TYPE 'SOLD' is unknown or not supported by this toolchain.

There is already some error checking for this that could also be adapted to work with the new setting.