# CMP0123

New in version 3.21.

`ARMClang` cpu/arch compile and link flags must be set explicitly.

CMake 3.20 and lower automatically maps the `CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR` variable and an undocumented `CMAKE_SYSTEM_ARCH` to compile and link options for `ARMClang`. For example, the `-mcpu=cortex-m33` flag is added when `CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR` equals `cortex-m33`. CMake requires projects to set either variable or it raises a fatal error. However, the project may need to additionally specify CPU features using e.g. `-mcpu=cortex-m33+nodsp`, conflicting with the `-mcpu=cortex-m33` added by CMake. This results in either link errors or unusable binaries.

CMake 3.21 and above prefer instead to not add any cpu/arch compile and link flags automatically. Instead, projects must specify them explicitly. This policy provides compatibility for projects that have not been updated.

The `OLD` behavior of this policy requires projects that use `ARMClang` to set either `CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR` or `CMAKE_SYSTEM_ARCH` and it automatically adds a compile option `-mcpu=` or `-march=` and a link option `--cpu=` based on those variables. The `NEW` behavior does not add compile or link options, and projects are responsible for setting correct options.

This policy was introduced in CMake version 3.21. CMake version 3.25.3 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.