[CMake] CMake and it's invocation from MS VC7

[Steve Johns]

Hi.

I used CMake to create an MS VC7 solution configuration in order to import a 
multi-directory project into the Visual Studio IDE, where I want to build it 
to take advantage of the debugger, and DLL capabilities.

I was very pleased to generate all the solution and project files using 
CMake, since trying to bring the project into VS by hand looked to be a 
difficult job, and one that I did not know how to do.

I think I don't understand something about CMake, though.  When I build any 
of the 5 projects that were created (the 3 file directories, ALL_BUILD, and 
INSTALL), the first thing that happens, according to the build log, is that 
CMake is invoked.

Could someone kindly tell me why this happens, if it needs to happen, what I 
can do about it, and comment in general about what role CMake plays in the 
MS IDE after the solution/projects are created in the first place?

My impression was that CMake created the native build environment (in this 
case the MS solution/projects) where none existed before, and that was the 
extent of it's job.  It seems to want to continue to be a "player", and so 
there is clearly something I don't understand.

I'm also constantly getting messages that my project has changed "outside 
the IDE", and I wonder if /expect that CMake is causing this ...

Guidance and instruction by those who could explain some of this would be 
very much appreciated.   Thanks!