NCS 2.5.0: CMake Error ... version.cmake:74 (math): math cannot parse the expression

[Marko W]

After updating the NCS from 2.4.2 to 2.5.0 my project cannot be created.

The following error occurs:

-- CMake version: 3.20.5
-- Found Python3: D:/Nordic/toolchains/c57af46cb7/opt/bin/python.exe (found suitable version "3.8.2", minimum required is "3.8") found components: Interpreter
-- Cache files will be written to: D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/.cache
-- Zephyr version: 3.4.99 (D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr)
CMake Error at D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/cmake/modules/version.cmake:74 (math):
  math cannot parse the expression: "( << 16) + ( << 8) + ()": syntax error,
  unexpected exp_SHIFTLEFT (4).
Call Stack (most recent call first):
  D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/cmake/modules/zephyr_default.cmake:129 (include)
  D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:66 (include)
  D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:92 (include_boilerplate)
  CMakeLists.txt:11 (find_package)


CMake Error at D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/cmake/modules/version.cmake:75 (math):
  math cannot parse the expression: "( << 24) + ( << 16) + ( << 8) + ()":
  syntax error, unexpected exp_SHIFTLEFT (4).
Call Stack (most recent call first):
  D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/cmake/modules/zephyr_default.cmake:129 (include)
  D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:66 (include)
  D:/Nordic/v2.5.0/zephyr/share/zephyr-package/cmake/ZephyrConfig.cmake:92 (include_boilerplate)
  CMakeLists.txt:11 (find_package)

How can I fix this?

[JONATHAN LL]

Does this happen with only one application or are you able to reproduce the error on other samples? 

Regards,
Jonathan

[Marko W]

Sorry for the late reply...

I have now tested several projects and this error only occurs in one project. Two other projects can be updated from 2.4.0 and 2.4.2 to 2.5.0. There are more warnings here, but the build process is running through (firmware not yet tested).

When comparing the projects, I noticed that I have a "VERSION" file in the project folder. I had already prepared this based on the documentation (Application version management).

~~~
VERSION_MAJOR=0
VERSION_MINOR=5
PATCH LEVEL=0
VERSION_TWEAK=0
EXTRAVERSION=unstable
~~~

If I remove this file I can successfully run a build with 2.5.0 (firmware not tested yet).

However, I can't really understand the connection to the error message...

[frax84]

If you track the error to the file (version.cmake) you will notice that the error happens because the compiler can't find the definitions you're speaking about. I think that is the connection if it is what are you're trying to understand

[Marko W]

I have now found the cause.

Contrary to the example in the documentation Application version management I had no spaces before and after the "=".

If I insert spaces, then I can compile even if the VERSION file exists.

Can anyone confirm this...?