How can I use Visual Studio 2010 for C development?

+1 A:

If you compile a file that has the .c extension, VS will use it's C compiler. However, you should be aware that said C compiler isn't C99 conformant (or even C89 for some cases, if I remember correctly). Visual Studio is not really a C compiler, it's C++ mostly. You will have to use a C++ project and simply include .c files.

DeadMG 2010-07-24 22:43:26

Err.. it's most definitely a C compiler. Windows is compiled with something. ;) Though there are some nonstandard extensions, like every compiler has.

Billy ONeal 2010-07-24 22:45:16

Is this really the only way? By creating a C++ project, I create tons of different files. Using the article I linked to, only a `.c` file, an `.obj` file and an `.exe` file is created.

Jonas 2010-07-24 22:46:43

@Jonas: Many extras are created with a project, like Intellisense databases, partial rebuild files, etc. All of these files have uses that your article can't match. Whether or not you actually use them is another matter. What you should do is ignore the extra files unless they take up excessive space or your builds stop working. Until then, ignore. @Billy ONeal: Yeah, the C++ compiler.

DeadMG 2010-07-24 22:54:40

@DeadMG: thanks that was informative. Intellisense is very useful.

Jonas 2010-07-24 23:02:55

+2 A:

Just go into your project properties, and change the setting under C\C++ -> Language -> Compile As: to "Compile as C code".

Billy ONeal 2010-07-24 22:44:14

Is there no way to do this without creating a C++ project which creates tons of files?

Jonas 2010-07-24 22:49:16

One of the options when you create a project is "Create an empty project."

jwismar 2010-07-24 22:53:39

-1: If the file has a `.c` extension, this is already set. (-1 because it's not useful as an *answer*)

280Z28 2010-07-24 22:54:46

@280Z28: That depends on how you add the actual file. If you add it using the Visual Studio GUI, and you add it as a .c file, then yes, I believe that option is set by default. However, if you merely rename an existing file to .c, which was imported with the C++ extension, that option will need to be changed.

Billy ONeal 2010-07-24 22:57:23

@Billy ONeal: That is not correct. I just tried it - renaming the file immediately resulted in compilation errors for C++ elements within it. If the project was incorrectly manually configured by explicitly turning on C++ mode for all files instead of just leaving the setting alone, then yes, you would have to go back and change it the other way.

280Z28 2010-07-24 23:13:23

A:

VS actually has a very capable C compiler, somethng that people overlook all too often. The above answers will point you in the right direction, but it's by no means low quality like I've heard people say in the past.

JC Leyba 2010-07-24 22:47:47

+2 A:

280Z28 2010-07-24 23:10:12

+1. Also note that anything in the ipch directory and any file with a .ncb extension should also be excluded from source control.

Billy ONeal 2010-07-25 00:30:24

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How can I use Visual Studio 2010 for C development?

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