Help/prop_tgt/GNUtoMS.rst
Convert GNU import library (.dll.a) to MS format (.lib).
When linking a shared library or executable that exports symbols using
GNU tools on Windows (MinGW/MSYS) with Visual Studio installed convert
the import library (.dll.a) from GNU to MS format (.lib). Both import
libraries will be installed by :command:install(TARGETS) and exported by
:command:install(EXPORT) and :command:export to be linked
by applications with either GNU- or MS-compatible tools.
If the variable CMAKE_GNUtoMS is set when a target is created its
value is used to initialize this property. The variable must be set
prior to the first command that enables a language such as :command:project
or :command:enable_language. CMake provides the variable as an option to the
user automatically when configuring on Windows with GNU tools.