Incorrect Boost installation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 92 views

CMake Error at FindPackageHandleStandardArgs.cmake:137 (message): Could NOT find Boost (missing: regex) (found suitable version "1.72.0", Attempting to Resolve)

CMake is a powerful build system that allows developers to create and manage complex projects with ease. However, when working with CMake, developers may encounter errors that can be frustrating to resolve. One such error is the "Could NOT find Boost" error, which occurs when CMake is unable to find the Boost library. In this article, we will discuss the causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it.

Understanding the Error

The error message "Could NOT find Boost (missing: regex) (found suitable version "1.72.0", indicates that CMake is unable to find the Boost library, specifically the regex component. The error message also indicates that a suitable version of Boost (1.72.0) is available, but CMake is still unable to find it.

Causes of the Error

There are several reasons why CMake may be unable to find the Boost library. Some of the common causes include:

Incorrect Boost installation: If the Boost library is not installed correctly, CMake may be unable to find it.
Missing Boost components: If the Boost library is installed, but some of its components are missing, CMake may be unable to find it.
CMake configuration issues: CMake configuration issues can also prevent it from finding the Boost library.

Step-by-Step Solutions

To resolve the "Could NOT find Boost" error, follow these step-by-step solutions:

1. Verify Boost Installation

First, verify that the Boost library is installed correctly. In this case, you have downloaded the boost_1_72_0.tar.gz file from the official site and unzipped it into your downloads folder at /USERS/macuser/Downloads/boost_1_72_0.

Verify Boost Installation

To verify the Boost installation, navigate to the Boost installation directory and run the following command:

./bootstrap.sh

This command will configure the Boost installation and create the necessary files.

2. Run the B2 Tool

Next, run the b2 tool to build the Boost library:

./b2

This command will build the Boost library and create the necessary files.

3. Set the Boost Include Path

To set the Boost include path, add the following line to your CMakeLists.txt file:

set(Boost_INCLUDE_DIR /USERS/macuser/Downloads/boost_1_72_0)

This line sets the Boost include path to the Boost installation directory.

4. Find the Boost Library

To find the Boost library, add the following line to your CMakeLists.txt file:

find_package(Boost REQUIRED regex)

This line finds the Boost library and its components, including the regex component.

5. Link the Boost Library

To link the Boost library, add the following line to your CMakeLists.txt file:

target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME} Boost::boost)

This line links the Boost library to your project.

In conclusion, the "Could NOT find Boost" error is a common error that occurs when CMake is unable to find the Boost library. To resolve this error, verify the Boost installation, run the b2 tool, set the Boost include path, find the Boost library, and link the Boost library. By following these step-by-step solutions, you should be able to resolve the "Could NOT find Boost" error and successfully build your project.

Verify CMake configuration: Verify that CMake is configured correctly to find the Boost library.
Check Boost version: Check the Boost version to ensure that it is compatible with your project.
Use the CMake GUI: Use the CMake GUI to configure and build your project.

Boost installation issues: If you encounter issues with the Boost installation, try reinstalling the Boost library.
CMake configuration issues: If you encounter issues with CMake configuration, try reconfiguring CMake.
Boost version issues: If you encounter issues with the Boost version, try updating the Boost library.

In our previous article, we discussed the causes and solutions to the "Could NOT find Boost" error in CMake. However, we understand that sometimes, you may still encounter issues with finding the Boost library. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address some of the common questions and issues related to the "Could NOT find Boost" error.

Q: I have installed the Boost library, but CMake still can't find it. What should I do?

A: Make sure that the Boost library is installed correctly and that the CMake configuration is set up to find the Boost library. You can try reinstalling the Boost library or reconfiguring CMake to see if it resolves the issue.

Q: I have set the Boost include path, but CMake still can't find it. What should I do?

A: Make sure that the Boost include path is set correctly and that the CMake configuration is set up to find the Boost library. You can try setting the Boost include path again or reconfiguring CMake to see if it resolves the issue.

Q: I have found the Boost library, but CMake still can't link it. What should I do?

A: Make sure that the Boost library is linked correctly and that the CMake configuration is set up to link the Boost library. You can try linking the Boost library again or reconfiguring CMake to see if it resolves the issue.

Q: I am using a different version of Boost, but CMake still can't find it. What should I do?

A: Make sure that the Boost version is compatible with your project and that the CMake configuration is set up to find the Boost library. You can try updating the Boost library or reconfiguring CMake to see if it resolves the issue.

Q: I am using a different compiler, but CMake still can't find the Boost library. What should I do?

A: Make sure that the compiler is set up correctly and that the CMake configuration is set up to find the Boost library. You can try setting the compiler again or reconfiguring CMake to see if it resolves the issue.

Q: I have tried all the above solutions, but CMake still can't find the Boost library. What should I do?

A: If you have tried all the above solutions and CMake still can't find the Boost library, it may be worth trying to reinstall the Boost library or reconfiguring CMake. If the issue persists, you may want to consider seeking help from a CMake expert or a Boost library expert.

Boost installation issues: If you encounter issues with the Boost installation, try reinstalling the Boost library.
CMake configuration issues: If you encounter issues with CMake configuration, try reconfiguring CMake.
Boost version issues: If you encounter issues with the Boost version, try updating the Boost library.
Compiler issues: If you encounter issues with the compiler, try setting the compiler again or reconfiguring CMake.

In conclusion, the "Could NOT find Boost" error is a common error that occurs when CMake is unable to find the Boost library. By following the step-by-step solutions outlined in this article and the Q&A section, you should be able to resolve the "Could NOT find Boost" error and successfully build your project.

Verify CMake configuration: Verify that CMake is configured correctly to find the Boost library.
Check Boost version: Check the Boost version to ensure that it is compatible with your project.
Use the CMake GUI: Use the CMake GUI to configure and build your project.

Boost installation issues: If you encounter issues with the Boost installation, try reinstalling the Boost library.
CMake configuration issues: If you encounter issues with CMake configuration, try reconfiguring CMake.
Boost version issues: If you encounter issues with the Boost version, try updating the Boost library.