Automatically stop Visual C++ 2008 build at first compile error?

Question

I know I can compile individual source files, but sometimes -- say, when editing a header file used by many .cpp files -- multiple source files need to be recompiled. That's what Build is for.

Default behavior of the "Build" command in VC9 (Visual C++ 2008) is to attempt to compile all files that need it. Sometimes this just results in many failed compiles. I usually just watch for errors and hit ctrl-break to stop the build manually.

Is there a way to configure it such the build stops at the very first compile error (not the first failed project build) automatically?

Answer 1

There is this post http://stevenharman.net/blog/archive/2008/01/17/visual-studio-tip-kill-that-build.aspx not sure if it stops the build at the first error or the first failed project in a solution.

Ctrl-break will also stop it manually.

Now if there was some way to stop it spending 10mins rebuilding intelisense after a build failed!

Answer 2

This can be done by adding a macro that is run in response to the event OnBuildProjConfigDone.

The macro is as follows:

Private Sub BuildEvents_OnBuildProjConfigDone(ByVal Project As String, ByVal ProjectConfig As String, ByVal Platform As String, ByVal SolutionConfig As String, ByVal Success As Boolean) Handles BuildEvents.OnBuildProjConfigDone

  If Success = False Then
    DTE.ExecuteCommand("Build.Cancel")
  End If

End Sub

Answer 3

I came up with a better macro guys. It stops immediately after the first error/s (soon as build window is updated).

Visual Studio -> Tools -> Macros -> Macro IDE... (or ALT+F11)

Private Sub OutputWindowEvents_OnPaneUpdated(ByVal pPane As OutputWindowPane) Handles OutputWindowEvents.PaneUpdated
    If Not (pPane.Name = "Build") Then Exit Sub

    pPane.TextDocument.Selection.SelectAll()
    Dim Context As String = pPane.TextDocument.Selection.Text
    pPane.TextDocument.Selection.EndOfDocument()

    Dim found As Integer = Context.IndexOf(": error ")

    If found > 0 Then
        DTE.ExecuteCommand("Build.Cancel")
    End If

End Sub

Hope it works out for you guys.