VS2008: Can I build a project with 2 CPP files of the same name in different folders?

Question

Here is my folder structure:

/
|
 -- program.cpp
 -- utility.h
 -- utility.cpp
|
 -- module/
    |
     -- utility.h
     -- utility.cpp

// Note that I have two files named utility.h and two named utility.cpp

On building the project, I get a link error (LNK2028: unresolved token and so on...) saying that some symbols aren't defined. I have confirmed that all symbols are defined and that all declared functions have a corresponding definition.

I have a feeling that on compiling my project, the utility.cpp files from both folders are compiled into the same utility.obj in the output folder. As a result, one overwrites the other.

1. Is this expected behaviour?
2. How do I build a C++ binary which has two files with the same name (though in different folders)?

Answer 1

You could try adding another project to your solution, which will build a static mudule.lib file from your module's .cpp .h, then link your main project with that lib. It should make VS to output .obj files in a separate directory, and you should be able to link without problems.

Answer 2

Maybe libraries (static or dynamic) would help with your case. But you will still have problem if there are any public symbols with the same name like in executable or other library.

Answer 3

I don't know the VS compiling chain.

However, each .cpp is first compiled into a .obj file. The linking steps merges them together.

It's very common, to put all the .obj files in a same directory. So, as you guessed, when compiling the second one, erases the first one. Therefor some symbols are missing during compilation.

There probably is an option (again, I don't work with VS) to leave the .obj in the same directory as the .cpp file. The drawback is some garbage on your source code tree.

My personnal opinion would be to refactor.

Answer 4

Do you really WANT two different but same-named files in the same project?

Answer 5

Right click both/either .cpp files > properties > C/C++ > Output Files > Object File Name > set a custom name. e.g. if both files are named MyFile.cpp in folder A and another in folder B, you can set the output to be AMyFile and BMyFile.

Alternatively, you can also use a macro to prefix the object names with the immediate parent folder name (i.e. using $(IntDir)\$(SafeParentName)$(SafeInputName)). If this is not enough (e.g. you have A/B/MyFile.cpp and C/B/MyFile.cpp) and you don't mind having some object files cluttering your source tree, you can also use $(InputDir)\ which will put the object files in the same folder as the source file.

the cpp files will then be compiled into two different object files..

enjoy!

btw, if the contents have the same name, do you separate them using different namespaces?

namespace A { // in folder A
    class CMyFile {};
};

namespace B{ // in folder B
    class CMyFile {};
};

// client.cpp
#include "A/MyFile.h"
#include "B/MyFile.h"
int main() {
    A::CMyFile aMyFile;
    B::CMyFile bMyFile;
    return 0;
}

I don't know if it matters but it's definitely clearer to human : D