importing libraries from elsewhere

How would I include a lib that is in a different folder than vc7? e.g. the lib is in C:\abc\Lib. Is it possible to set something like a PATH value in C++ to allow it to look for libraries in specific places? What is the standard practice?

Thanks.

in which case, use something along the lines of

Code:

#include "C:\\abc\\Lib\\my_header.h"

Note the double-backslashes. Backslash is a special character in C++ string literals for using 'escape sequences' - The double backslash is the escape sequence for the backslash itself

If you don't like that, you can usually use forward-slash instead:

Code:

#include "C:/abc/Lib/my_header.h"

Edit - if your header files are in a sub-folder of the current project, then you don't need to specify the full path, just the subfolder and filename

would it make a difference if the path to the library is set in the user environment variables (win xp)?

In the project settings you can add
Project Properties/Configuration Properties/C++/General/Additional Include directories

The new path where the h-files will be looked for

Or You can open
Tools/Options/Projects adn Solutions/VC++ Directories

And add some directories to the Include files list

This will affect all projects

You should never use absolute paths inside include statements. It makes it much harder to port the code to even another directory on the same machine, nevermind elsewhere.

Use Vart's suggestion of setting search paths in the IDE

Originally Posted by Bench82

in which case, use something along the lines of

Code:

#include "C:\\abc\\Lib\\my_header.h"

The escapes are not processed in preprocessor directives.
it should be

Code:

#include "C:\abc\Lib\my_header.h"

But still forward slashes are a lot better. Best solution is definately vart's way to add a -I compiler switch
Kurt