add_dependencies: Distinguish target v. file dependencies in error (#14050)

When called with a non-existent LHS target name the user may be trying
to add file-level dependencies.  Clarify the error message to explain
the difference between target-level and file-level dependencies.  Point
the reader at the commands and options needed for the latter.

7 files changed, 26 insertions, 4 deletions

diff --git a/Source/cmAddDependenciesCommand.cxx b/Source/cmAddDependenciesCommand.cxx
index a77140d..04a304e 100644
--- a/Source/cmAddDependenciesCommand.cxx
+++ b/Source/cmAddDependenciesCommand.cxx
@@ -35,10 +35,14 @@ bool cmAddDependenciesCommand
     }
   else
     {
-    std::string error = "Adding dependency to non-existent target: ";
-    error += target_name;
-    this->SetError(error.c_str());
-    return false;
+    cmOStringStream e;
+    e << "Cannot add target-level dependencies to non-existent target \""
+      << target_name << "\".\n"
+      << "The add_dependencies works for top-level logical targets created "
+      << "by the add_executable, add_library, or add_custom_target commands.  "
+      << "If you want to add file-level dependencies see the DEPENDS option "
+      << "of the add_custom_target and add_custom_command commands.";
+    this->Makefile->IssueMessage(cmake::FATAL_ERROR, e.str());
     }
 
   return true;
diff --git a/Tests/RunCMake/CMakeLists.txt b/Tests/RunCMake/CMakeLists.txt
index a3c9605..402c8a9 100644
--- a/Tests/RunCMake/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/Tests/RunCMake/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ if(NOT WIN32)
 endif()
 add_RunCMake_test(CompatibleInterface)
 
+add_RunCMake_test(add_dependencies)
 add_RunCMake_test(build_command)
 add_RunCMake_test(find_package)
 add_RunCMake_test(include)
diff --git a/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/CMakeLists.txt b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8db6b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 2.8)
+project(${RunCMake_TEST} NONE)
+include(${RunCMake_TEST}.cmake)
diff --git a/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget-result.txt b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget-result.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d00491f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget-result.txt
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+1
diff --git a/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget-stderr.txt b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget-stderr.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6af2707
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget-stderr.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+CMake Error at NoTarget.cmake:1 \(add_dependencies\):
+  Cannot add target-level dependencies to non-existent target "foo".
+
+  The add_dependencies works for top-level logical targets created by the
+  add_executable, add_library, or add_custom_target commands.  If you want to
+  add file-level dependencies see the DEPENDS option of the add_custom_target
+  and add_custom_command commands.
+Call Stack \(most recent call first\):
+  CMakeLists.txt:3 \(include\)
diff --git a/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget.cmake b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9037694
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/NoTarget.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+add_dependencies(foo bar)
diff --git a/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/RunCMakeTest.cmake b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/RunCMakeTest.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30b7e67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/RunCMake/add_dependencies/RunCMakeTest.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include(RunCMake)
+
+run_cmake(NoTarget)