Manage your build process with CMake and track your code with Git.
**CMake** is an open-source, cross-platform family of tools designed to build, test, and package software. It is not a build system itself but rather a build system generator. You write your build instructions in a simple text file called `CMakeLists.txt`. In this file, you specify your project's name, find required libraries, and list your source files to create executables or libraries. CMake then uses this file to generate native build files for your chosen environment (e.g., Makefiles on Linux, Visual Studio projects on Windows). This means you can maintain a single, simple build configuration that works everywhere, which is invaluable for professional development. **Git** is a distributed version control system (VCS) that is essential for modern software development. It allows you to track every change you make to your code over time in a repository. You can create 'commits' to save snapshots of your project at specific points. You can create 'branches' to work on new features in isolation without affecting the main codebase. If you make a mistake, you can easily revert to a previous version. Git is also fundamental for collaboration. Platforms like GitHub and GitLab host Git repositories, allowing teams of developers to work on the same project, merge their changes, review each other's code, and manage the entire development lifecycle. Mastering the basics of CMake and Git is a non-negotiable skill for any serious C++ developer.