title: embed git describe string in c++ binary
body: <p>How can I have the result of the git describe command embedded into my c++ binary so that I can access it at run time.</p>
  
  <p>I know I can do something like this</p>
  
  <pre><code>g++ -DVERSION_NUMBER=2345
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>And then in my code I can do:</p>
  
  <pre><code>std::cout &lt;&lt; VERSION_NUMBER &lt;&lt; std::endl;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This is great but won't work if the value of version number is a string such as the output of the git describe command. </p>
  
  <p>So is there way to do such a thing?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks.</p>