Compiling visual c++ from command line

Question

I am trying to compile a C++ file from the command line using:

C:\"Program Files (x86)"\"Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0"\VC\bin\x86_amd64\CL /FAcs C:\Users\X\Documents\"Visual Studio 2010"\Projects\"Project File"\My_Project\HELLO.CPP

but I get the error:

The program can't start because mspdb100.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

I must be making the wrong command line call. Could someone please help?

EDIT I am going to be calling this from a C# app, creating a Process object and then executing. Is there a way I can ensure all variables are set, from the C# app/executing another .bat script from the C# code?

Check your machine. Make sure that mspdb100.dll is on your environment PATH. — StarPilot
– StarPilot, Commented Dec 20, 2012 at 22:22

Pete Becker · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-20 22:24:35Z

4

In the compiler installation, find the batch file named vsvars32.bat. Run it. Problem solved. (Sorry, no details on exactly where it's located; I'm not at my Windows machine right now)

answered Dec 20, 2012 at 22:24

Pete Becker

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4 Comments

intrigued_66 Over a year ago

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\Tools

Luchian Grigore Over a year ago

@mezamorphic did you run it in the cmd you're using, or did you just double-click it?

Pete Becker Over a year ago

Sorry, that was a bit vague. Run it from the command prompt. It sets environment variables that the compiler uses to find its pieces.

Pete Becker Over a year ago

cd to the folder where the file lives, and from the command prompt, type its name (without the extension): C:>vsvars32

Luchian Grigore · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-20 22:30:27Z

3

It's not the command line, but the fact that when you startup MSVS, it also sets some environment variables and paths to binaries it needs.

Start the command prompt from the MSVS startup group - that should already have the correct paths set.

edited Dec 20, 2012 at 22:30

answered Dec 20, 2012 at 22:22

Luchian Grigore

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2 Comments

Kyle Strand Over a year ago

-1; editing the PATH is a dangerous route to go, and there are actually several dlls that must be added to make compilation from the command line work. I'm not sure what you mean by "MSVS startup group," but if you mean using the MSVS-specific command prompt, that's preferable.

Kyle Strand Over a year ago

Well, given that that's my recommended solution as well, I'll remove the downvote.

Kyle Strand · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-20 22:30:24Z

1

You can either use Pete Becker's solution of running vsvars32.bat (in the command prompt you're using to compile), or you can use the MSVS command prompt, which has all its variables pre-set.

answered Dec 20, 2012 at 22:30

Kyle Strand

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