# CMP0048

The `project()` command manages VERSION variables.

CMake version 3.0 introduced the `VERSION` option of the `project()` command to specify a project version as well as the name. In order to keep `PROJECT_VERSION` and related variables consistent with variable `PROJECT_NAME` it is necessary to set the VERSION variables to the empty string when no `VERSION` is given to `project()`. However, this can change behavior for existing projects that set VERSION variables themselves since `project()` may now clear them. This policy controls the behavior for compatibility with such projects.

The OLD behavior for this policy is to leave VERSION variables untouched. The NEW behavior for this policy is to set VERSION as documented by the `project()` command.

This policy was introduced in CMake version 3.0. CMake version 3.13.0-rc2 warns when the policy is not set and uses OLD behavior. Use the cmake_policy command to set it to OLD or NEW explicitly.

Note

The `OLD` behavior of a policy is `deprecated by definition` and may be removed in a future version of CMake.