Thread: minimize executable size

A simple "hello world" program in Microsoft Visual C++ takes up to 150 kb. How would it be possible to minimize the executable size without damaging portability? Thanks.

Originally Posted by heisel

A simple "hello world" program in Microsoft Visual C++ takes up to 150 kb..

No it doesn't. You must be including irrelevant libraries, the debug build, and DLL linkage.

Switch to the Multi-threaded static linkage.
Switch to release version.

Watch as your executable size shrinks to a few K

Originally Posted by abachler

Switch to the Multi-threaded static linkage.
Switch to release version.

How? I have the 6.0 version.

Originally Posted by zacs7

...and/or dynamically link libraries (which has its downsides).

You mean by LoadLibrary and GetAddressProc?

Originally Posted by zacs7

AFAIK, Visual C++ has optimisations for small executable sizes.

Such as?

Originally Posted by vart

Project Settings/ C++ / Category - Code Generation / Use Run-Time Library

to choose static or dynamic linkage to CRT

Category - Optimization - choose Minimize Size

To select Release build - select Release on the Build toolbar

I managed to decrease it to 28 kb, in this way. In Optimization category, though, optimizations list is greyed out.

Originally Posted by Elysia

Consider upgrading to newest Visual Studio if you can. The express version is free.

I am stuck with the this version. Maybe, I will consider it some day.

Code:

#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
        printf("Hello World!\n") ;
        return 0;
}

Compiles to a 4719 byte binary in Linux, but I'm sure there's a good reason about the difference in file sizes from Windows the Linux. I reckon it has to with the libraries.

Use the rights flags , size optimization, the rights #pragma and its size will be < 1 Kb...