diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index cd269d5..8b4abff 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ set(SRC_FILES
     misc/random.cpp
     tests/testutils.cpp
 )
+
 set(TEST_HEADER_FILES
 
 )
@@ -59,155 +60,40 @@ set(TEST_SRC_FILES
     tests/chronotests.cpp
 )
 
+set(CMAKE_MODULE_FILES
+    cmake/modules/BasicConfig.cmake
+    cmake/modules/LibraryTarget.cmake
+    cmake/modules/TestTarget.cmake
+    cmake/modules/AppTarget.cmake
+    cmake/modules/WindowsResources.cmake
+)
+set(CMAKE_TEMPLATE_FILES
+    cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in
+    cmake/templates/config.h.in
+    cmake/templates/desktop.in
+)
+if(MINGW)
+    list(APPEND CMAKE_TEMPLATE_FILES
+      cmake/templates/windows.rc.in
+    )
+endif()
+
+# required to include CMake modules from own project directory
+set(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/modules" "${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}")
+
 # meta data
 set(META_PROJECT_NAME c++utilities)
+set(META_PROJECT_VARNAME CPP_UTILITIES)
 set(META_APP_NAME "C++ Utilities")
 set(META_APP_AUTHOR "Martchus")
 set(META_APP_URL "https://github.com/${META_APP_AUTHOR}/${META_PROJECT_NAME}")
 set(META_APP_DESCRIPTION "Common C++ classes and routines used by my applications such as argument parser, IO and conversion utilities.")
 set(META_VERSION_MAJOR 3)
 set(META_VERSION_MINOR 2)
-set(META_VERSION_PATCH 0)
-set(META_APP_VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH})
+set(META_VERSION_PATCH 1)
 
-# stringification of meta data
-set(META_PROJECT_NAME_STR "\"${META_PROJECT_NAME}\"")
-set(META_APP_NAME_STR "\"${META_APP_NAME}\"")
-set(META_APP_AUTHOR_STR "\"${META_APP_AUTHOR}\"")
-set(META_APP_URL_STR "\"${META_APP_URL}\"")
-set(META_APP_DESCRIPTION_STR "\"${META_APP_DESCRIPTION}\"")
-set(META_APP_VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH})
-set(META_APP_VERSION_STR "\"${META_APP_VERSION}\"")
-
-# define project
-project(${META_PROJECT_NAME})
-
-# add configuration header
-configure_file(
-    "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/resources/config.h.in"
-    "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/config.h"
-)
-include_directories("${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}")
-
-# add windows resource file
-if(MINGW)
-    # create windows rc file from template
-    set(WINDOWS_EXT "dll")
-    configure_file(
-        "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/resources/windows.rc.in"
-        "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/windows.rc"
-    )
-    # set windres as resource compiler
-    set(RES_FILES "${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/windows.rc")
-    set(CMAKE_RC_COMPILER_INIT windres)
-    set(CMAKE_RC_COMPILE_OBJECT "<CMAKE_RC_COMPILER> <FLAGS> -O coff <DEFINES> -i <SOURCE> -o <OBJECT>")
-    enable_language(RC)
-endif(MINGW)
-
-# remove library prefix when building with mingw-w64 (just for consistancy with qmake)
-if(MINGW)
-    set(CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_PREFIX "")
-endif(MINGW)
-
-# disable new ABI (can't catch ios_base::failure with new ABI)
-add_definitions(
-    -D_GLIBCXX_USE_CXX11_ABI=0
-)
-
-# executable and linking
-add_library(${META_PROJECT_NAME} SHARED ${HEADER_FILES} ${SRC_FILES} ${RES_FILES} ${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH})
-set_target_properties(${META_PROJECT_NAME} PROPERTIES
-    VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH}
-    SOVERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}
-    CXX_STANDARD 11
-)
-if(MINGW)
-    # enable static library when building with mingw-w64
-    add_library(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_static STATIC ${HEADER_FILES} ${SRC_FILES} ${RES_FILES} ${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH})
-    set_target_properties(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_static PROPERTIES
-        VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH}
-        SOVERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}
-        OUTPUT_NAME ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
-        CXX_STANDARD 11
-    )
-endif(MINGW)
-
-# add check target
-if(NOT TARGET check)
-    set(CMAKE_CTEST_COMMAND ctest -V)
-    add_custom_target(check COMMAND ${CMAKE_CTEST_COMMAND})
-    enable_testing()
-endif()
-add_executable(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL ${TEST_HEADER_FILES} ${TEST_SRC_FILES})
-target_link_libraries(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests ${META_PROJECT_NAME} cppunit)
-set_target_properties(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests PROPERTIES CXX_STANDARD 11)
-add_test(NAME ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_cppunit COMMAND ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests -p "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/testfiles")
-add_dependencies(check ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests)
-
-# add install target
-install(TARGETS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
-    RUNTIME DESTINATION bin
-    COMPONENT binary
-    LIBRARY DESTINATION lib
-    COMPONENT binary
-    ARCHIVE DESTINATION lib
-    COMPONENT binary
-)
-if(MINGW)
-    install(TARGETS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_static
-        RUNTIME DESTINATION bin
-        COMPONENT binary
-        LIBRARY DESTINATION lib
-        COMPONENT binary
-        ARCHIVE DESTINATION lib
-        COMPONENT binary
-    )
-endif(MINGW)
-foreach(HEADER_FILE ${HEADER_FILES})
-    get_filename_component(HEADER_DIR ${HEADER_FILE} DIRECTORY)
-    install(
-        FILES ${HEADER_FILE}
-        DESTINATION include/${META_PROJECT_NAME}/${HEADER_DIR}
-        COMPONENT header
-    )
-endforeach()
-if(NOT TARGET install-binary)
-    add_custom_target(install-binary
-        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
-        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=binary -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
-    )
-endif()
-if(NOT TARGET install-header)
-    add_custom_target(install-header
-        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
-        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=header -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
-    )
-endif()
-if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64)
-    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64
-        DEPENDS install-binary install-header
-    )
-endif()
-if(NOT TARGET install-binary-strip)
-    add_custom_target(install-binary-strip
-        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
-        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_DO_STRIP=1 -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=binary -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
-    )
-endif()
-if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-importlib-strip)
-    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-importlib-strip
-        DEPENDS install-binary-strip
-        COMMAND "${CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH}/bin/strip" --strip-unneeded "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/lib/lib${META_PROJECT_NAME}.dll.a"
-    )
-endif()
-if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-staticlib-strip)
-    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-staticlib-strip
-        DEPENDS install-binary-strip
-        COMMAND "${CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH}/bin/strip" -g "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/lib/lib${META_PROJECT_NAME}.a"
-    )
-endif()
-if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-strip)
-    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-strip
-        DEPENDS install-binary-strip install-mingw-w64-importlib-strip install-mingw-w64-staticlib-strip install-header
-    )
-endif()
+# include modules to apply configuration
+include(BasicConfig)
+include(WindowsResources)
+include(LibraryTarget)
+include(TestTarget)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b8d5035..783b444 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,12 +33,6 @@ make check # build and run unit tests (optional)
 make install
 ```
 
-Building with qmake is also possible:
-```
-INSTALL_ROOT="/where/you/want/to/install" qmake-qt5 "path/to/projectfile"
-make && make install
-```
-
 Building for Windows with Mingw-w64 cross compiler can be utilized using a small
 [cmake wrapper from Fedora](https://aur.archlinux.org/cgit/aur.git/tree/mingw-cmake.sh?h=mingw-w64-cmake):
 ```
@@ -58,5 +52,5 @@ PKGBUILD files to build for Windows using the Mingw-w64 compiler are also includ
   is currently disabled. Linking against cppunit built using new libstdc++ ABI isn't possible.
 
 ## TODO
-- rewrite argument parser
+- rewrite argument parser (the API might change slightly)
 - remove unused features
diff --git a/c++utilities.pro b/c++utilities.pro
deleted file mode 100644
index f12b7a2..0000000
--- a/c++utilities.pro
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,93 +0,0 @@
-# meta data
-projectname = c++utilities
-appname = "C++ Utilities"
-appauthor = Martchus
-QMAKE_TARGET_DESCRIPTION = "Common C++ classes and routines used by my applications such as argument parser, IO and conversion utilities."
-VERSION = 3.2.0
-
-# include ../../common.pri when building as part of a subdirs project; otherwise include general.pri
-!include(../../common.pri) {
-    !include(./general.pri) {
-        error("Couldn't find the common.pri or the general.pri file!")
-    }
-}
-
-# basic configuration: shared library, no Qt
-TEMPLATE = lib
-CONFIG -= qt
-CONFIG += shared
-
-# add project files
-HEADERS += \
-    application/argumentparser.h \
-    application/commandlineutils.h \
-    application/failure.h \
-    application/fakeqtconfigarguments.h \
-    application/global.h \
-    chrono/datetime.h \
-    chrono/period.h \
-    chrono/timespan.h \
-    conversion/binaryconversion.h \
-    conversion/binaryconversionprivate.h \
-    conversion/conversionexception.h \
-    conversion/stringconversion.h \
-    conversion/types.h \
-    conversion/widen.h \
-    io/ansiescapecodes.h \
-    io/binaryreader.h \
-    io/binarywriter.h \
-    io/bitreader.h \
-    io/copy.h \
-    io/inifile.h \
-    io/path.h \
-    math/math.h \
-    misc/memory.h \
-    misc/random.h \
-    tests/testutils.h \
-    tests/cppunit.h \
-
-SOURCES += \
-    application/argumentparser.cpp \
-    application/commandlineutils.cpp \
-    application/failure.cpp \
-    application/fakeqtconfigarguments.cpp \
-    chrono/datetime.cpp \
-    chrono/period.cpp \
-    chrono/timespan.cpp \
-    conversion/conversionexception.cpp \
-    conversion/stringconversion.cpp \
-    io/ansiescapecodes.cpp \
-    io/binaryreader.cpp \
-    io/binarywriter.cpp \
-    io/bitreader.cpp \
-    io/inifile.cpp \
-    io/path.cpp \
-    math/math.cpp \
-    misc/random.cpp \
-    tests/testutils.cpp
-
-OTHER_FILES += \
-    README.md \
-    LICENSE \
-    CMakeLists.txt \
-    resources/config.h.in \
-    resources/windows.rc.in
-
-# installs
-mingw-w64-install {
-    target.path = $$(INSTALL_ROOT)
-    target.extra = install -m755 -D $${OUT_PWD}/release/lib$(TARGET).a $$(INSTALL_ROOT)/lib/lib$(TARGET).a
-    INSTALLS += target
-    dlltarget.path = $$(INSTALL_ROOT)
-    dlltarget.extra = install -m755 -D $${OUT_PWD}/release/$(TARGET) $$(INSTALL_ROOT)/bin/$(TARGET)
-    INSTALLS += dlltarget
-} else {
-    target.path = $$(INSTALL_ROOT)/lib
-    INSTALLS += target
-}
-for(dir, $$list(application io conversion chrono math misc tests)) {
-    eval(inc_$${dir} = $${dir})
-    inc_$${dir}.path = $$(INSTALL_ROOT)/include/$$projectname/$${dir}
-    inc_$${dir}.files = $${dir}/*.h
-    INSTALLS += inc_$${dir}
-}
diff --git a/cmake/modules/AppTarget.cmake b/cmake/modules/AppTarget.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f33f9a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/modules/AppTarget.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+# before including this module, BasicConfig must be included
+
+# set the windows extension to "exe", this is required by the mingw-w64 specific WindowsResources module
+if(MINGW)
+    set(WINDOWS_EXT "exe")
+endif(MINGW)
+
+# add target for building the application
+add_executable(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX} ${GUI_TYPE} ${HEADER_FILES} ${SRC_FILES} ${WIDGETS_FILES} ${QML_FILES} ${RES_FILES} ${QM_FILES} ${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH})
+target_link_libraries(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX} ${LIBRARIES})
+set_target_properties(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX} PROPERTIES
+    CXX_STANDARD 11
+)
+
+# add install target for binary
+install(TARGETS ${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}
+    RUNTIME DESTINATION bin
+    COMPONENT binary
+)
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-binary)
+    add_custom_target(install-binary
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=binary -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for localization
+if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64)
+    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64
+        DEPENDS install-binary ${LOCALIZATION_TARGET}
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for desktop entries and icons
+foreach(DESKTOP_FILE ${DESKTOP_FILES})
+    install(
+        FILES "${DESKTOP_FILE}"
+        DESTINATION "share/applications"
+        COMPONENT desktop
+    )
+endforeach()
+
+foreach(ICON_FILE ${ICON_FILES})
+    install(
+        FILES "${ICON_FILE}"
+        DESTINATION "share/icons/hicolor/scalable/apps"
+        COMPONENT desktop
+    )
+endforeach()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-desktop)
+    add_custom_target(install-desktop
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=desktop -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for stripped binaries
+if(NOT TARGET install-binary-strip)
+    add_custom_target(install-binary-strip
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_DO_STRIP=1 -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=binary -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add mingw-w64 specific install target
+if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-strip)
+    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-strip
+        DEPENDS install-binary-strip ${LOCALIZATION_TARGET}
+    )
+endif()
+
+# find template for *.desktop files
+if(EXISTS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/desktop.in")
+    # check own source directory
+    set(APP_DESKTOP_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/desktop.in")
+    message(STATUS "Using template for *.desktop file from own source directory.")
+elseif(EXISTS "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/desktop.in")
+    # check sources of c++utilities
+    set(APP_DESKTOP_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/desktop.in")
+    message(STATUS "Using template for *.desktop file from c++utilities source directory.")
+elseif(EXISTS "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake/templates/desktop.in")
+    # check installed version of c++utilities
+    set(APP_DESKTOP_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake/templates/desktop.in")
+    message(STATUS "Using template for *.desktop file from c++utilities installation.")
+else()
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Template for *.desktop file can not be located.")
+endif()
+
+# function to add *.desktop files
+function(add_custom_desktop_file
+        FILE_NAME
+        DESKTOP_FILE_APP_NAME
+        DESKTOP_FILE_DESCRIPTION
+        DESKTOP_FILE_CATEGORIES
+        DESKTOP_FILE_CMD
+        DESKTOP_FILE_ICON)
+    # create desktop file from template
+    configure_file(
+        "${APP_DESKTOP_TEMPLATE_FILE}"
+        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/${FILE_NAME}.desktop"
+    )
+    # add install for the desktop file
+    install(
+        FILES "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/${FILE_NAME}.desktop"
+        DESTINATION "share/applications"
+        COMPONENT desktop
+    )
+endfunction()
+
+# convenience function to add *.desktop file from project meta data
+function(add_desktop_file)
+    add_custom_desktop_file(
+        "${META_PROJECT_NAME}"
+        "${META_APP_NAME}"
+        "${META_APP_DESCRIPTION}"
+        "${META_APP_CATEGORIES}"
+        "${META_PROJECT_NAME}"
+        "${META_PROJECT_NAME}"
+    )
+endfunction()
diff --git a/cmake/modules/BasicConfig.cmake b/cmake/modules/BasicConfig.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a97f3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/modules/BasicConfig.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+# before including this module, the project meta-data must be set
+
+# set project name (displayed in Qt Creator)
+project(${META_PROJECT_NAME})
+
+# might be useful so other projects built as part of the same subdirs project
+# can access files from this project
+set(${META_PROJECT_VARNAME}_SOURCE_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}" PARENT_SCOPE)
+set(${META_PROJECT_VARNAME}_BINARY_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}" PARENT_SCOPE)
+set(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}" PARENT_SCOPE)
+
+# stringify the meta data
+set(META_PROJECT_NAME_STR "\"${META_PROJECT_NAME}\"")
+set(META_APP_VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH})
+set(META_APP_NAME_STR "\"${META_APP_NAME}\"")
+set(META_APP_AUTHOR_STR "\"${META_APP_AUTHOR}\"")
+set(META_APP_URL_STR "\"${META_APP_URL}\"")
+set(META_APP_DESCRIPTION_STR "\"${META_APP_DESCRIPTION}\"")
+set(META_APP_VERSION_STR "\"${META_APP_VERSION}\"")
+
+# find config.h template
+if(EXISTS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/config.h.in")
+    # check own source directory
+    set(CONFIG_H_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/config.h.in")
+    message(STATUS "Using template for config.h from own source directory.")
+elseif(EXISTS "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/config.h.in")
+    # check sources of c++utilities
+    set(CONFIG_H_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/config.h.in")
+    message(STATUS "Using template for config.h from c++utilities source directory.")
+elseif(EXISTS "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake/templates/config.h.in")
+    # check installed version of c++utilities
+    set(CONFIG_H_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake/templates/config.h.in")
+    message(STATUS "Using template for config.h from c++utilities installation.")
+else()
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Template for config.h file can not be located.")
+endif()
+
+# add configuration header
+configure_file(
+    "${CONFIG_H_TEMPLATE_FILE}"
+    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/config.h"
+)
+
+# ensure generated include files are found
+include_directories("${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}")
+
+# disable new ABI (can't catch ios_base::failure with new ABI)
+add_definitions(-D_GLIBCXX_USE_CXX11_ABI=0)
+message(STATUS "Forcing usage of old CXX11 ABI to be able to catch std::ios_base::failure.")
+
+# enable debug-only code when doing a debug build
+if(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE STREQUAL "Debug")
+    add_definitions(-DDEBUG_BUILD)
+    message(STATUS "Debug build enabled.")
+endif()
diff --git a/cmake/modules/LibraryTarget.cmake b/cmake/modules/LibraryTarget.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ac509d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/modules/LibraryTarget.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,218 @@
+# before including this module, BasicConfig must be included
+
+# include for configure_package_config_file and write_basic_package_version_file
+include(CMakePackageConfigHelpers)
+
+# find template for CMake config file
+if(EXISTS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in")
+    # check own source directory
+    set(CONFIG_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in")
+elseif(EXISTS "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in")
+    # check sources of c++utilities
+    set(CONFIG_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in")
+elseif(EXISTS "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in")
+    # check installed version of c++utilities
+    set(CONFIG_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in")
+else()
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Template for configuration file can not be located.")
+endif()
+
+# set install destination for the CMake modules, config files and header files
+set(HEADER_INSTALL_DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/include")
+set(LIB_INSTALL_DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/lib")
+set(CMAKE_MODULE_INSTALL_DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/${META_PROJECT_NAME}/cmake/modules")
+set(CMAKE_CONFIG_INSTALL_DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/${META_PROJECT_NAME}/cmake")
+
+# create the CMake config file from the template
+configure_package_config_file(
+    "${CONFIG_TEMPLATE_FILE}"
+    "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/${META_PROJECT_NAME}Config.cmake"
+    INSTALL_DESTINATION
+        "${CMAKE_CONFIG_INSTALL_DESTINATION}"
+    PATH_VARS
+        CMAKE_MODULE_INSTALL_DESTINATION
+        CMAKE_CONFIG_INSTALL_DESTINATION
+        HEADER_INSTALL_DESTINATION
+        LIB_INSTALL_DESTINATION
+)
+
+# write the CMake version config file
+write_basic_package_version_file(
+    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/${META_PROJECT_NAME}ConfigVersion.cmake
+    VERSION "${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH}"
+    COMPATIBILITY SameMajorVersion
+)
+
+# remove library prefix when building with mingw-w64 (just for consistency with qmake)
+if(MINGW)
+    set(CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_PREFIX "")
+endif(MINGW)
+
+# set the windows extension to "dll", this is required by the mingw-w64 specific WindowsResources module
+if(MINGW)
+    set(WINDOWS_EXT "dll")
+endif(MINGW)
+
+# add target for building the library
+add_library(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX} SHARED ${HEADER_FILES} ${SRC_FILES} ${WIDGETS_FILES} ${QML_FILES} ${RES_FILES} ${QM_FILES} ${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH})
+target_link_libraries(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX} ${LIBRARIES})
+set_target_properties(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX} PROPERTIES
+    VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH}
+    SOVERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}
+    CXX_STANDARD 11
+)
+
+# add target for building a static version of the library when building with mingw-w64
+if(MINGW)
+    add_library(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}_static STATIC ${HEADER_FILES} ${SRC_FILES} ${WIDGETS_FILES} ${QML_FILES} ${RES_FILES} ${QM_FILES} ${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH})
+    # add target link libraries for the static lib also because otherwise Qt header files can not be located
+    target_link_libraries(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}_static ${LIBRARIES})
+    set_target_properties(${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}_static PROPERTIES
+        VERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}.${META_VERSION_MINOR}.${META_VERSION_PATCH}
+        SOVERSION ${META_VERSION_MAJOR}
+        OUTPUT_NAME ${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}
+        CXX_STANDARD 11
+    )
+endif(MINGW)
+
+# add install target for the CMake config files
+install(
+    FILES
+        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/${META_PROJECT_NAME}Config.cmake"
+        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/${META_PROJECT_NAME}ConfigVersion.cmake"
+    DESTINATION
+        "${CMAKE_CONFIG_INSTALL_DESTINATION}"
+    COMPONENT
+        cmake-config
+)
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-cmake-config)
+    add_custom_target(install-cmake-config
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=cmake-config -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for dynamic libs
+install(
+    TARGETS ${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}
+    RUNTIME DESTINATION bin
+    COMPONENT binary
+    LIBRARY DESTINATION lib
+    COMPONENT binary
+    ARCHIVE DESTINATION lib
+    COMPONENT binary
+)
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-binary)
+    add_custom_target(install-binary
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=binary -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install for static libs when building with mingw-w64
+if(MINGW)
+    install(
+        TARGETS ${TARGET_PREFIX}${META_PROJECT_NAME}${TARGET_SUFFIX}_static
+        RUNTIME DESTINATION bin
+        COMPONENT binary
+        LIBRARY DESTINATION lib
+        COMPONENT binary
+        ARCHIVE DESTINATION lib
+        COMPONENT binary
+    )
+endif(MINGW)
+
+# add install target for stripped libs
+if(NOT TARGET install-binary-strip)
+    add_custom_target(install-binary-strip
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_DO_STRIP=1 -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=binary -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for header files
+foreach(HEADER_FILE ${HEADER_FILES})
+    get_filename_component(HEADER_DIR "${HEADER_FILE}" DIRECTORY)
+    install(
+        FILES "${HEADER_FILE}"
+        DESTINATION "include/${META_PROJECT_NAME}/${HEADER_DIR}"
+        COMPONENT header
+    )
+endforeach()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-header)
+    add_custom_target(install-header
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=header -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for CMake modules
+foreach(CMAKE_MODULE_FILE ${CMAKE_MODULE_FILES})
+    get_filename_component(CMAKE_MODULE_DIR ${CMAKE_MODULE_FILE} DIRECTORY)
+    install(
+        FILES ${CMAKE_MODULE_FILE}
+        DESTINATION share/${META_PROJECT_NAME}/${CMAKE_MODULE_DIR}
+        COMPONENT cmake-modules
+    )
+endforeach()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-cmake-modules)
+    add_custom_target(install-cmake-modules
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=cmake-modules -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for CMake templates
+foreach(CMAKE_TEMPLATE_FILE ${CMAKE_TEMPLATE_FILES})
+    get_filename_component(CMAKE_TEMPLATE_DIR ${CMAKE_TEMPLATE_FILE} DIRECTORY)
+    install(
+        FILES ${CMAKE_TEMPLATE_FILE}
+        DESTINATION share/${META_PROJECT_NAME}/${CMAKE_TEMPLATE_DIR}
+        COMPONENT cmake-templates
+    )
+endforeach()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-cmake-templates)
+    add_custom_target(install-cmake-templates
+        DEPENDS ${META_PROJECT_NAME}
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_COMMAND}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_COMPONENT=cmake-templates -P "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/cmake_install.cmake"
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add install target for all the cmake stuff
+if(NOT TARGET install-cmake-stuff)
+    add_custom_target(install-cmake-stuff
+        DEPENDS install-cmake-config install-cmake-modules install-cmake-templates
+    )
+endif()
+
+# add mingw-w64 specific install targets
+if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64)
+    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64
+        DEPENDS install-binary install-header
+    )
+endif()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-importlib-strip)
+    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-importlib-strip
+        DEPENDS install-binary-strip
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH}/bin/strip" --strip-unneeded "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/lib/lib${META_PROJECT_NAME}.dll.a"
+    )
+endif()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-staticlib-strip)
+    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-staticlib-strip
+        DEPENDS install-binary-strip
+        COMMAND "${CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH}/bin/strip" -g "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/lib/lib${META_PROJECT_NAME}.a"
+    )
+endif()
+
+if(NOT TARGET install-mingw-w64-strip)
+    add_custom_target(install-mingw-w64-strip
+        DEPENDS install-binary-strip install-mingw-w64-importlib-strip install-mingw-w64-staticlib-strip install-header
+    )
+endif()
diff --git a/cmake/modules/TestTarget.cmake b/cmake/modules/TestTarget.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e314a30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/modules/TestTarget.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# before including this module, BasicConfig must be included
+
+# add autotools-style check target
+if(NOT TARGET check)
+    set(CMAKE_CTEST_COMMAND ctest -V)
+    add_custom_target(check COMMAND ${CMAKE_CTEST_COMMAND})
+    enable_testing()
+endif()
+
+# add test executable, but exclude it from the "all target"
+add_executable(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL ${TEST_HEADER_FILES} ${TEST_SRC_FILES})
+target_link_libraries(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests ${META_PROJECT_NAME} ${TEST_LIBRARIES} cppunit)
+set_target_properties(${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests PROPERTIES CXX_STANDARD 11)
+add_test(NAME ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_cppunit COMMAND ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests -p "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/testfiles")
+
+# add the test executable to the dependencies of the check target
+add_dependencies(check ${META_PROJECT_NAME}_tests)
diff --git a/cmake/modules/WindowsResources.cmake b/cmake/modules/WindowsResources.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..009c6a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/modules/WindowsResources.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# generates and adds a Windows rc file for the application/library
+# also attaches the application icon if ffmpeg is available
+# does nothing if not building with mingw-w64
+
+# before including this module, LibraryConfig/ApplicationConfig must be included
+
+if(MINGW)
+    # find rc template
+    if(EXISTS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/windows.rc.in")
+        # check own source directory
+        set(RC_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/windows.rc.in")
+    elseif(EXISTS "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/windows.rc.in")
+        # check sources of c++utilities
+        set(RC_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CPP_UTILITIES_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/templates/windows.rc.in")
+    elseif(EXISTS "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake-templates/windows.rc.in")
+        # check installed version of c++utilities
+        set(RC_TEMPLATE_FILE "${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/c++utilities/cmake-templates/windows.rc.in")
+    else()
+        message(FATAL_ERROR "Template for Windows *.rc file can not be located.")
+    endif()
+
+    # create Windows icon from png with ffmpeg if available
+    set(WINDOWS_ICON_PATH "")
+    set(WINDOWS_ICON_RC_ENTRY "")
+    find_program(FFMPEG_BIN ffmpeg avconv)
+    if(FFMPEG_BIN)
+        set(PNG_ICON_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/resources/icons/hicolor/128x128/apps/${META_PROJECT_NAME}.png")
+        if(EXISTS "${PNG_ICON_PATH}")
+            set(WINDOWS_ICON_PATH "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/${META_PROJECT_NAME}.ico")
+            set(WINDOWS_ICON_RC_ENTRY "IDI_ICON1   ICON    DISCARDABLE \"${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH}\"")
+            add_custom_command(
+                OUTPUT "${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH}"
+                COMMAND ${FFMPEG_BIN} -y -i "${PNG_ICON_PATH}" -vf crop=iw-20:ih-20:10:10,scale=64:64 "${WINDOWS_ICON_PATH}"
+            )
+        endif()
+    endif(FFMPEG_BIN)
+
+    # create Windows rc file from template
+    configure_file(
+        "${RC_TEMPLATE_FILE}"
+        "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/windows.rc"
+    )
+    # set windres as resource compiler
+    set(RES_FILES "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/resources/windows.rc")
+    set(CMAKE_RC_COMPILER_INIT windres)
+    set(CMAKE_RC_COMPILE_OBJECT "<CMAKE_RC_COMPILER> <FLAGS> -O coff <DEFINES> -i <SOURCE> -o <OBJECT>")
+    enable_language(RC)
+endif(MINGW)
diff --git a/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in b/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c03d2f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/templates/Config.cmake.in
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+@PACKAGE_INIT@
+
+set(@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_LIBS "@META_PROJECT_NAME@")
+set(@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_INCLUDE_DIRS "@PACKAGE_HEADER_INSTALL_DESTINATION@")
+set(@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_LIB_DIR "@PACKAGE_LIB_INSTALL_DESTINATION@")
+set(@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_MODULE_DIRS "@PACKAGE_CMAKE_MODULE_INSTALL_DESTINATION@")
+set(@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_CONFIG_DIRS "@PACKAGE_CMAKE_CONFIG_INSTALL_DESTINATION@")
+
+macro(use_@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@)
+    include_directories(BEFORE SYSTEM ${@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_INCLUDE_DIRS})
+    link_directories(${@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_LIB_DIR})
+    list(APPEND LIBRARIES ${@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_LIBS})
+    list(APPEND CMAKE_MODULE_PATH ${@META_PROJECT_VARNAME@_MODULE_DIRS})
+endmacro()
diff --git a/cmake/templates/config.h.in b/cmake/templates/config.h.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82ef75d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/templates/config.h.in
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#ifndef APP_METADATA_AVAIL
+# define APP_METADATA_AVAIL
+# define PROJECT_NAME @META_PROJECT_NAME_STR@
+# define APP_NAME @META_APP_NAME_STR@
+# define APP_VERSION @META_APP_VERSION_STR@
+# define APP_AUTHOR @META_APP_AUTHOR_STR@
+# define APP_URL @META_APP_URL_STR@
+# define APP_DESCRIPTION @META_APP_DESCRIPTION_STR@
+#endif // APP_METADATA_AVAIL
diff --git a/cmake/templates/desktop.in b/cmake/templates/desktop.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b2e453
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/templates/desktop.in
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+[Desktop Entry]
+Name=@DESKTOP_FILE_APP_NAME@
+Comment=@DESKTOP_FILE_DESCRIPTION@
+Exec=@DESKTOP_FILE_CMD@
+Icon=@DESKTOP_FILE_ICON@
+Terminal=false
+Type=Application
+Categories=@DESKTOP_FILE_CATEGORIES@
diff --git a/resources/windows.rc.in b/cmake/templates/windows.rc.in
similarity index 100%
rename from resources/windows.rc.in
rename to cmake/templates/windows.rc.in
diff --git a/general.pri b/general.pri
deleted file mode 100644
index f417d7d..0000000
--- a/general.pri
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,103 +0,0 @@
-# specify build directories for moc, object and rcc files
-MOC_DIR = ./moc
-OBJECTS_DIR = ./obj
-RCC_DIR = ./res
-
-# compiler flags: enable C++11
-QMAKE_CXXFLAGS += -std=c++11
-QMAKE_LFLAGS += -std=c++11
-
-# disable new ABI (can't catch ios_base::failure with new ABI)
-DEFINES += _GLIBCXX_USE_CXX11_ABI=0
-
-# variables to check target architecture
-win32-g++:QMAKE_TARGET.arch = $$QMAKE_HOST.arch
-win32-g++-32:QMAKE_TARGET.arch = x86
-win32-g++-64:QMAKE_TARGET.arch = x86_64
-linux-g++:QMAKE_TARGET.arch = $$QMAKE_HOST.arch
-linux-g++-32:QMAKE_TARGET.arch = x86
-linux-g++-64:QMAKE_TARGET.arch = x86_64
-
-# determine and print target prefix
-targetprefix = $$(TARGET_PREFIX)
-message("Using target prefix \"$${targetprefix}\".")
-
-# print install root
-message("Using install root \"$$(INSTALL_ROOT)\".")
-
-# set target
-CONFIG(debug, debug|release) {
-    TARGET = $${targetprefix}$${projectname}d
-} else {
-    TARGET = $${targetprefix}$${projectname}
-}
-
-# add defines for meta data
-DEFINES += "APP_METADATA_AVAIL"
-DEFINES += "'PROJECT_NAME=\"$${projectname}\"'"
-DEFINES += "'APP_NAME=\"$${appname}\"'"
-DEFINES += "'APP_AUTHOR=\"$${appauthor}\"'"
-DEFINES += "'APP_URL=\"$${appurl}\"'"
-DEFINES += "'APP_VERSION=\"$${VERSION}\"'"
-
-# configure Qt modules and defines
-mobile {
-    DEFINES += CONFIG_MOBILE
-} else:desktop {
-    DEFINES += CONFIG_DESKTOP
-} else:android {
-    CONFIG += mobile
-    DEFINES += CONFIG_MOBILE
-} else {
-    CONFIG += desktop
-    DEFINES += CONFIG_DESKTOP
-}
-no-gui {
-    QT -= gui
-    DEFINES += GUI_NONE
-    guiqtquick || guiqtwidgets {
-        error("Can not use no-gui with guiqtquick or guiqtwidgets.")
-    } else {
-        message("Configured for no GUI support.")
-    }
-} else {
-    QT += gui
-    mobile {
-        CONFIG += guiqtquick
-    }
-    desktop {
-        CONFIG += guiqtwidgets
-    }
-}
-guiqtquick {
-    message("Configured for Qt Quick GUI support.")
-    QT += quick
-    CONFIG(debug, debug|release) {
-        CONFIG += qml_debug
-    }
-    DEFINES += GUI_QTQUICK
-}
-guiqtwidgets {
-    message("Configured for Qt widgets GUI support.")
-    QT += widgets
-    DEFINES += GUI_QTWIDGETS
-    DEFINES += MODEL_UNDO_SUPPORT
-}
-
-# configuration for cross compliation with mingw-w64
-win32 {
-    QMAKE_TARGET_PRODUCT = "$${appname}"
-    QMAKE_TARGET_COPYRIGHT = "by $${appauthor}"
-}
-mingw-w64-manualstrip-dll {
-    QMAKE_POST_LINK=$${CROSS_COMPILE}strip --strip-unneeded ./release/$(TARGET); \
-        $${CROSS_COMPILE}strip --strip-unneeded ./release/lib$(TARGET).a
-}
-mingw-w64-manualstrip-exe {
-    QMAKE_POST_LINK=$${CROSS_COMPILE}strip --strip-unneeded ./release/$(TARGET)
-}
-mingw-w64-noversion {
-    TARGET_EXT = ".dll"
-    TARGET_VERSION_EXT = ""
-    CONFIG += skip_target_version_ext
-}
diff --git a/io/path.h b/io/path.h
index 3f68c1c..e4248a1 100644
--- a/io/path.h
+++ b/io/path.h
@@ -8,6 +8,18 @@
 
 #include <string>
 
+#ifdef PLATFORM_WINDOWS
+# define PATH_SEP_CHAR '\\'
+# define SEARCH_PATH_SEP_CHAR ';'
+# define PATH_SEP_STR "\\"
+# define SEARCH_PATH_SEP_STR ";"
+#else
+# define PATH_SEP_CHAR '/'
+# define SEARCH_PATH_SEP_CHAR ':'
+# define PATH_SEP_STR "/"
+# define SEARCH_PATH_SEP_STR ":"
+#endif
+
 namespace IoUtilities {
 
 LIB_EXPORT std::string fileName(const std::string &path);
diff --git a/resources/config.h.in b/resources/config.h.in
deleted file mode 100644
index 2f9ca46..0000000
--- a/resources/config.h.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef APP_METADATA_AVAIL
-#define APP_METADATA_AVAIL
-#define PROJECT_NAME @META_PROJECT_NAME_STR@
-#define APP_NAME @META_APP_NAME_STR@
-#define APP_VERSION @META_APP_VERSION_STR@
-#define APP_AUTHOR @META_APP_AUTHOR_STR@
-#define APP_URL @META_APP_URL_STR@
-#define APP_DESCRIPTION @META_APP_DESCRIPTION_STR@
-#endif // APP_METADATA_AVAIL
diff --git a/tests/testutils.cpp b/tests/testutils.cpp
index cd49dc1..56093a0 100644
--- a/tests/testutils.cpp
+++ b/tests/testutils.cpp
@@ -166,16 +166,15 @@ string TestApplication::workingCopyPath(const string &name) const
     if(!parts.empty()) {
         string currentLevel = m_workingDir;
         for(auto i = parts.cbegin(), end = parts.end() - 1; i != end; ++i) {
-            if(stat((currentLevel += *i).c_str(), &currentStat) || !S_ISDIR(currentStat.st_mode)) {
-
+            if(currentLevel.back() != '/') {
+                currentLevel += '/';
+            }
+            currentLevel += *i;
+            if(stat(currentLevel.c_str(), &currentStat) || !S_ISDIR(currentStat.st_mode)) {
                 if(mkdir(currentLevel.c_str(), S_IRWXU | S_IRWXG | S_IROTH | S_IXOTH)) {
                     cerr << "Unable to create working copy for \"" << name << "\": can't create working directory." << endl;
                     return string();
                 }
-                if(currentLevel.back() != '/') {
-                    currentLevel += '/';
-                }
-                currentLevel += *i;
             }
         }
     }