Here we will examine the C++ Compiler General Properties Tab.

Additional Include Directories
This is where you indicate to the compiler any directories that you want to be searched in the case that the header file you included is not registered within the project in the Solution Explorer.

This is also where you will put the paths to the headers needed for included libraries (the name and directories for the libraries you want to include are specified under the Linker Properties Tabs).

Debug Information Format
This allows you to specify the format of the debug data exported with your debug version of your application or library. These settings affect the Object (*.obj) files and Program Database (*.pdb) files generated during a Debug build. They also affect the size of the executable generated. Choices include:

• Disabled
• C7 Compatible
• Line Numbers Only
• Program Database
• Program Database for Edit & Continue

You most certainly want to use Disabled for your Release build. In your Debug build, you want as much information available to you when debugging so it is recommended that you use Program Database for Edit & Continue.

NOTE: if you are using managed extensions (see General Tab) for the .NET Framework or C# you cannot use the Program Database for Edit & Continue option. Use the Program Database option instead.

Warning Level
Determines the amount of checking performed by the compiler. Choices include:

• Off: Turn Off All Warnings
• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3
• Level 4

In both Debug and Release builds you want the compiler to be as powerful as possible in order to tell you of possible code defects. Always run at Warning Level 4.

Warnings may be somewhat annoying -- but they are around for a reason. There are instances when you do in fact know better than the compiler and individual warnings can be diabled. See Disabling Specific Warnings.

Detect 64-bit Portability Issues
Determines whether the compiler should check for code which is 32-bit architecture dependent.

This is not an issue for this class, but if you want to guarantee that your friends can download your game and run it on their new 64-bit machine you should check Yes.

Treat Warnings As Errors
All warning-level defects found by the compiler will be reported as errors. This means that the compiler will not generate an executable (.exe) or library (.lib) in the presence of any defects it may find.

For this class, setting this option may be more trouble than it's worth.

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