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Compiling C/C++ Code Using cl.exe in Visual Studio 2019

Steps to Compile a C/C++ Program

1. Open the Developer Command Prompt for VS 2019

  • Click Start and search for "Developer Command Prompt for VS 2019".
  • Open it.

2. Navigate to Your Source Code Directory

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cd path\to\your\source\code

3. Compile a Single C/C++ File

  • For a C file:
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cl /EHsc my_program.c
  • For a C++ file: 
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    cl /EHsc my_program.cpp
  • If the compilation is successful, an executable (.exe) file will be generated.

4. Compile Multiple Files

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cl /EHsc file1.cpp file2.cpp
- This will produce an a.exe (default name) or file1.exe (if file1.cpp contains main()).

5. Specify an Output Executable Name

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cl /EHsc my_program.cpp /Feoutput_name.exe

6. Run the Compiled Executable

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output_name.exe

Additional Compiler Options

Enable Optimization (/O2)

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cl /EHsc /O2 my_program.cpp

Enable Debugging (/Zi)

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cl /EHsc /Zi my_program.cpp

Compile Without Linking (/c)

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cl /EHsc /c my_program.cpp
- This creates an .obj file without producing an .exe.

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link file1.obj file2.obj /OUT:final_program.exe
Last update: 2025-04-13
Created: March 16, 2025 16:20:58