Visual Studio C++ Program Compilation

The text is about the process of creating and running a "Hello World" C++ program using Visual Studio.
The process starts with writing code in several source files (.cpp), which are then compiled into binary files, such as executable files (.exe) or libraries.
Today, the discussion will focus on executable files.
In Visual Studio, the "Hello World" program from a previous video is used as an example.
The program includes the header file iostream using the #include operator.
The #include operator is a preprocessor directive that causes the file iostream to be read and its contents to be inserted into the source file before compilation.
The main() function is the entry point of the program, which is executed when the application is launched.
The main() function contains the statement std::cout << "Hello World";, which sends the text "Hello World" to the standard output (console).
The statement std::cin.get(); is also present, which waits for user input (enter key) before the program terminates.
The program ends with a return statement, but in the case of main(), it is not necessary to return a value since the system considers a return of 0 as successful program termination.
The text explains that the angle bracket symbols (< and >) around the iostream header file are not operators but rather overloaded functions, which can be thought of as functions when reading the code.
The code sends the "Hello World" string to the cout function, which outputs it to the console, and then sends the endl function, which moves the console cursor to the next line.
The cin.get() function waits for user input, specifically the enter key, before the program terminates.
To obtain the executable file from the source file, the preprocessing step #include is executed first, which inserts the contents of iostream into the main.cpp file.
After preprocessing, the file is compiled, converting the C++ code into machine code.
The Visual Studio project configuration includes options for configuration (Debug, Release) and platform (x86, x64, Android).
The configuration determines the rules applied during project building.
The platform specifies the target platform for compilation.
For example, x86 is used for compiling a 32-bit application for Windows.
For more complex projects, different platforms can be selected, such as Android, and the corresponding configuration rules should be adjusted accordingly.- They are used in building projects for specific platforms.
First, check the Configuration and Platform section.
Ensure your configuration and platform are correct.
Release is incorrect for building and debugging.
Debug and Win32 are the same.
Information about SDK version, output directory, intermediate directory, set Configuration type to Application.
To obtain a library, set it here.
Compiler settings are located here under "C/C++".
Debug and Release configurations differ in optimization settings.
Debug has optimization disabled and is slower.
Release is optimized for maximum performance.
Every .cpp file generates a corresponding .obj file after compilation.
Linker combines all .obj files into one .exe file.
Main.cpp is compiled and generates Main.obj.
Hello World.exe is the result.
Created a function Log() to replace cout.
Log.cpp file was created and Log() was moved there.
#include was added to Log.cpp to include iostream header.
Log() was not found in Main.cpp and caused compilation errors.
Declared Log() in Main.cpp without its body.
Building the project combines all .obj files into one .exe file through the linker.
Linker could not find the definition for Log() and caused linker errors.
Changed Log() back to its original name and recompiled Log.cpp.
Compiling Main.cpp again resulted in no errors.
Log.obj contains the definition for Log().
Main.obj contains the definition for Main().
Linker combines both definitions into HelloWorld.exe.
Compiling each .cpp file generates a corresponding .obj file.
The linker combines all .obj files into one executable file.
Debug and Release configurations differ in optimization settings.
Debug configuration has optimization disabled for easier debugging.
Release configuration is optimized for maximum performance.
Each .cpp file generates a corresponding .obj file during compilation.
Linker combines all .obj files into one .exe file.
Declaring a function in one file but defining it in another file results in linker errors.
Linker errors occur when it cannot find the definition for a function.
Declaring a function without its body in a file allows the compiler to trust that the function exists.
The linker connects the function call in one file to its definition in another file.
Following is a high-level overview of how a C++ program is compiled into an executable.
Keep an eye out for more detailed videos on the compiler and linker.
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