Notes

Always include #include "stdafx.h"
(c++ beginning of project)
Error()
Otherwise you will receive a compiler warning, such as c:testtest.cpp(21) : fatal error C1010: unexpected end of file while looking for precompiled header directive

To compile your program, either press F7

To run your compiled program, press ctrl-F5

The debug configuration is designed to help you debug your program, and is generally the one you will use when developing your programs. This configuration turns off all optimizations, and includes debugging information, which makes your programs larger and slower, but much easier to debug. The debug configuration is usually selected as the active configuration by default.

The release configuration is designed to be used when releasing your program to the public. This version is typically optimized for size and performance, and doesn’t contain the extra debugging information.

(More Problems)

Problem 3: When trying to use cin, cout, or endl, the compiler says cin, cout, or endl is an “undeclared identifier”

Answer 3: First, make sure you have included the following line near the top of your file:

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#include <iostream>
Second, make sure cin, cout, and endl are prefixed by “std::”. For example:

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std::cout << "Hello world!" << std::endl;

Problems still below this code

Problem 7: When I compile my program in Visual Studio 2010, I get an error message about a COFF file being invalid. How do I fix this?

Answer 7: If you see the following error when compiling with Visual Studio 2010:

LINK : fatal error LNK1123: failure during conversion to COFF: file invalid or corrupt
You’ve encountered a Microsoft OS/compiler incompatibility. It has nothing to do with your code.

The best first option is to download and install Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1.

More More Problems Below this line

Problem 8: When I compile my program, I get an error about unresolved external symbol _main or _WinMain@16

Answer 8: This means your compiler can’t find your main() function. All programs must include a main() function.

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Problem 10: I’m using Code::Blocks or g++ on the command line, and none of the C++11 functionality works

Answer 10: For Code::Blocks, go to Project->Build options->Compiler settings->Compiler flags and check “Have g++ follow C++11 ISO C++ language standard”

For compiling with g++ on the command line, add the following to the command line: -std=c++11

More Below

Problem 11: I’m using Visual Studio and get the following error: “1>MSVCRTD.lib(exe_winmain.obj) : error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol _WinMain@16 referenced in function “int __cdecl invoke_main(void)” (?invoke_main@@YAHXZ)”

Answer 11: Most likely you’ve created the wrong type of project. Make sure you’re creating a Win32 Console Application, not a Win32 Project.