compile only one .cpp file???

I'm fairly new to C++, so everything I do is with a single .cpp file. When I used the Bloodshed Dev C++ IDE, I was able to compile and run a single source file. I recently started using Visual C++ 2008 (express edition, if that matters) and now it seems like I can not compile a single file--I have to stick it inside a project in order to compile it. Is there a way around this? With Visual C++ can I compile a single .cpp file without using a "project"?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It doesn't make any sense IMHO, to compile a single file without any project.

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Originally Posted by VictorN

It doesn't make any sense IMHO, to compile a single file without any project.

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i'm sorry, but you're comment either... he didn't ask whether it makes sense but how to do it, so probalby it makes sense in his case

@jdqie
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235639.aspx

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Originally Posted by memeloo

i'm sorry, but you're comment either... he didn't ask whether it makes sense but how to do it, so probalby it makes sense in his case

@jdqie
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235639.aspx

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Well, it is interesting info (and, probably, will be useful for OP)! :thumb:

As for me - I don't like using command prompt when I can use VS IDE with all its features as debugging, break points, watch, output and other windows and so on.

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As for me - I don't like using command prompt when I can use VS IDE with all its features as debugging, break points, watch, output and other windows and so on

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++i :thumb:

i = (isEasier == true ? i-1 : i+1)

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Originally Posted by memeloo

i = (isEasier == true ? i-1 : i+1)

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I prefer:

Code:

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if(isEasier)
    ++i;
else
    --i;

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How about:

Code:

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const int increments[] = {1, -1};
i += increments[isEasier];

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Originally Posted by laserlight

How about:

Code:

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const int increments[] = {1, -1};
i += increments[isEasier];

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It won't work for bool isEasier, only for int for which only 0 and 1 are allowed... :cool:
So it would be much more complicated to implement.

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Originally Posted by VictorN

It won't work for bool isEasier, only for int for which only 0 and 1 are allowed...

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There exists an implicit conversion from bool to int whereby false is converted to 0 and true is converted to 1.

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Originally Posted by laserlight

There exists an implicit conversion from bool to int whereby false is converted to 0 and true is converted to 1.

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Good to know it!
Thank you! :thumb:

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Originally Posted by laserlight

How about:

Code:

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const int increments[] = {1, -1};
i += increments[isEasier];

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nice :lol:

another one:

Code:

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i += 1 * (isEasier * -1);

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by memeloo

another one:

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That won't work: if isEasier is false, the expression evaluates to 0, not -1.

But I realise that my hack has a similiar bug: the array elements should be swapped.

Anyway, we could adapt your example:

Code:

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i += isEasier * -2 + 1;

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by laserlight

That won't work: if isEasier is false, the expression evaluates to 0, not -1.

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****! :confused::mad::D how could i not see it :\

i += !isEasier - isEasier;


Probably the best one to make people scratch their heads twice figuring out what this does.

I hope jdqie finds this entertaining enough to motivate him/her to continue learning C++ :p

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Originally Posted by OReubens

i += !isEasier - isEasier;

Probably the best one to make people scratch their heads twice figuring out what this does.

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i admit and i like it :wave:;)

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Originally Posted by laserlight

I hope jdqie finds this entertaining enough to motivate him/her to continue learning C++ :p

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Oh let's humour him and provide him with the answer.

DevStudio works with projects. It doesn't do the "single .cpp" thing by design, and it's something you have to live with.

The underlying idea behind it is that a single .cpp doesn't really tell the compiler and linker what it is supposed to do...
Do you want a windows console exe ? A GUI exe ? A dll ? A 32bit or a 64 bit one ? Ascii or Unicode ?

You could have defaults for all, or you could just require a file that has all those configuration options in it... Lo and behold, that's exactly what a project file does.

okay thanks