Compiler Options

cl.exe is a tool that controls the Microsoft C and C++ compilers and linker. cl.exe can be run only on operating systems that support Microsoft Visual Studio.

Note

You can start this tool only from the Visual Studio command prompt. You cannot start it from a system command prompt or from File Explorer.

The compilers produce Common Object File Format (COFF) object (.obj) files. The linker produces executable (.exe) files or dynamic-link libraries (DLLs).

Note that all compiler options are case sensitive.

To compile without linking, use /c.

Finding an Option

To find a particular compiler option, see one of the following lists:

• Compiler Options Listed Alphabetically

• Compiler Options Listed by Category

Specifying Options

The topic for each compiler option discusses how it can be set in the development environment. For information on specifying options outside the development environment, see:

• Compiler Command-Line Syntax

• CL Command Files

• CL Environment Variables

Related Build Tools

Use NMAKE to build your output file.

Use BSCMAKE to support class browsing.

Linker options also affect how your program is built.

See Also

Reference

Setting Compiler Options

Fast Compilation

CL Invokes the Linker

Other Resources

C/C++ Building Reference