Programming Forums > Application Development > C++

bl00dninja · Sep 25th, 2005, 3:35 PM

just started using visual studio, precisely what is this library?

dawei...?

stevengs · Sep 25th, 2005, 4:11 PM

stdafx.h is the precompiled header file.

"The precompiled header file should include the big header files which slow down your builds. The most obvious candidate is windows.h, the 800 lb gorilla of the header file world. Other possible candidates are STL header files. "

I found a good article on VC++ compiling techniques: Fractal eXtreme

MSDN:

Quote:

Precompiled Header FilesSee Also
File Types Created for Visual C++ Projects
These files are used to build a precompiled header file Projname.pch and a precompiled types file Stdafx.obj.

These files are located in the Projname directory. In Solution Explorer, Stdafx.h is in the Header Files folder, and Stdafx.cpp is located in the Source Files folder.

Stdafx.h An include file for standard system include files and for project-specific include files that are used frequently but are changed infrequently.

You should not define or undefine any of the _AFX_NO_XXX macros in stdafx.h; see the Knowledge Base article "PRB: Problems Occur When Defining _AFX_NO_XXX". You can find Knowledge Base articles in the MSDN Library or at http://search.support.microsoft.com/

DaWei · Sep 25th, 2005, 5:16 PM

Personal perspective: I normally only write small things. I remove (or set up so as not to incur) the stdafx things and turn off precompiled headers. Even when using windows.h. My compile/links probably take 5 seconds, tops. It's nothing like the doorstops we used to be saddled with, where you started a compile and took a 30-minute break.

nnxion · Sep 26th, 2005, 6:40 PM

I wonder how long it took for Microsoft to compile one of their operating systems or office programs.

OpenLoop · Sep 26th, 2005, 6:44 PM

Why don't you try to compile the linux source to get an idea

, it can probably take days to build and compile everything.

Ooble · Sep 27th, 2005, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nnxion

I wonder how long it took for Microsoft to compile one of their operating systems or office programs.

They do nightly builds, if I remember correctly. Apparently, if your code breaks the build, you get called in at 2am to fix it.

bl00dninja · Sep 28th, 2005, 1:38 AM

here's another dumb question then...why does the compiler throw a fit if i remove it?
code

(Toggle Plain Text)

int main(){
	return 0;}

resulting error

Quote:

fatal error C1010: unexpected end of file while looking for precompiled header. Did you forget to add '#include "stdafx.h"' to your source?

edit 2 minutes later...

Quote:

(by dawei)...turn off precompiled headers...

this is it isn't it?

edit 6 minutes later...
how?

Narue · Sep 28th, 2005, 7:23 AM

>how?
Start out with an empty project to begin with.

bl00dninja · Sep 28th, 2005, 12:49 PM

what i meant is i just went through about 40 menus in the options dialog, and was wondering if anyone knew "off the top of their head".

i'm going to ask microsoft.

Animatronic · Sep 28th, 2005, 1:31 PM

I think its pritty stupid that you need #include "stdafx.h" in order to compiled when precompile headers are turned on, I mean couldn't the compiler add it if it cant compile without it

.

btw, stdafx.h its the default name for the precompiled header, you can change it.

As for taking them off:

For a project-

Right click on project> Properties>c/c++>Precompiled Headers>Use precompiled headers> set to not using precompiledd headers.

You can also do that for a single cpp file by right clicking on it (good for excluding third party utilities).

Sep 25th, 2005, 3:35 PM	#1
bl00dninja Programming Guru Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: namespace std Posts: 1,246 Rep Power: 5	"stdafx.h" just started using visual studio, precisely what is this library? dawei...? __________________ i put on my robe and wizard hat... Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?...Morons.

Sep 25th, 2005, 5:16 PM	#3
DaWei Resident Grouch Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,453 Rep Power: 10	Personal perspective: I normally only write small things. I remove (or set up so as not to incur) the stdafx things and turn off precompiled headers. Even when using windows.h. My compile/links probably take 5 seconds, tops. It's nothing like the doorstops we used to be saddled with, where you started a compile and took a 30-minute break. __________________ Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code. Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Sep 26th, 2005, 6:40 PM	#4
nnxion Programming Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: elemental plane Posts: 1,429 Rep Power: 5	I wonder how long it took for Microsoft to compile one of their operating systems or office programs. __________________ "Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for." -- Socrates

Sep 28th, 2005, 7:23 AM	#8
Narue Professional Programmer Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 419 Rep Power: 3	>how? Start out with an empty project to begin with. __________________ Even if the voices aren't real, they have some pretty good ideas.

Sep 28th, 2005, 12:49 PM	#9
bl00dninja Programming Guru Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: namespace std Posts: 1,246 Rep Power: 5	what i meant is i just went through about 40 menus in the options dialog, and was wondering if anyone knew "off the top of their head". i'm going to ask microsoft. __________________ i put on my robe and wizard hat... Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?...Morons.

Sep 26th, 2005, 6:44 PM	#5
OpenLoop Expert Programmer Join Date: May 2005 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 663 Rep Power: 4	Why don't you try to compile the linux source to get an idea , it can probably take days to build and compile everything.

Sep 28th, 2005, 1:31 PM	#10
Animatronic Programmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 99 Rep Power: 4	I think its pritty stupid that you need #include "stdafx.h" in order to compiled when precompile headers are turned on, I mean couldn't the compiler add it if it cant compile without it . btw, stdafx.h its the default name for the precompiled header, you can change it. As for taking them off: For a project- Right click on project> Properties>c/c++>Precompiled Headers>Use precompiled headers> set to not using precompiledd headers. You can also do that for a single cpp file by right clicking on it (good for excluding third party utilities).

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