CPS120: Introduction to Computer Science

1
CPS120 Introduction to Computer Science

• Compiling Your Programs Using
• Visual C

2
Compiler Files

• Source code (.cpp)
• Linked/Library file
• Object file (.obj)
• Executable file (.exe)

3
Executable Files

• A machine-language executable file created when
  the compilation process is complete
• All that is needed to run the program
• Not human-readable
• Has the extension .EXE
• Stored in binary form
• Copies may be distributed (portable)
• Known as an application

4
Compiling and Debugging

• Executable code will not be created until you
  correct all of the syntax errors in your source
  code
• Then the fun (with logic errors) begins

5
Creating Source Code Files

• Actually Compiling a Program

6
Creating Source Code

• Dont use a word processor
• You can use WordPad or NotePad
• An editor specifically designed for C is
  available in the Visual Studio IDE

7
Using the Editor

• Save often because there is no autosave in Visual
  C
• The editor will do matching of delimiters and
  intelligent indentation

8
Color Coding in Visual C Editor

• Comments are green and are ignored by the
  compiler
• All ANSI keywords are coded in blue
• Other code is in plain black
• Compiler keywords like cin and cout are also
  shown in black

9
Setting Up a Visual C Workspace

• Left-click START
• In the program section, select Visual Studio or
  Visual C (depending on what is installed)
• Left click on the Visual C icon to load the
  environment
• Create a new work area by choosing FILE/NEW
• Choose FILES tab
• Click on the C Source File to reach the editor
• Add a filename and directory before continuing
• e.g. c/cppFun/myFirstCpp

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Setting Up a Visual C Workspace

1. Create the directory with START / EXPLORE
2. Double-click the drive letter
3. Choose FILE, NEW FOLDER
4. Left click on FOLDER
5. Change new folder to cppFUN
6. Close Explorer with the X
7. Back in Visual C, type myFirstCpp in the file
   box
8. Click OK and get back to the main edit screen

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Setting Up a Visual C Workspace

1. Enter the source code
2. After entering the program, FILE then SAVE

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Why Create New Subdirectories?

• You should always use subdirectories to store
  your files. Visual C creates quire a few work
  files when it generates the executable file for
  you source code, and they will be easy to dispose
  of if you keep everything together in one
  convenient place.
• Under no circumstances should you use the root
  (C\) directory except on a floppy disk (A\).

13
Running the Program

1. Press the REBUILD ALL button. It has two arrows
   in a box
2. Press the RUN button. It is a red exclamation
   point

14
Disk Space Issues

• Text files are insignificant in terms of space
• However, at least six other files are created
  every time something is compiled some get around
  95 full
• Highlighting the disk in are 3 or 4 times larger
  than the source
• You can delete anything but the file with the
  .cpp suffix everything else can be recreated

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Recompiling

• Open the file by going the file you stored it in
  and double clicking on it
• Scan the source code for obvious errors before
  attempting to compile
• Attempt to compile using the COMPILE button or
  choosing the first option on the BUILD menu
• Answer Yes to use the default project workspace
• The lower window will be active and the compile
  will occur
• Note the number of errors and warnings
• These need to be dealt with before executable
  code is created