File sizes

In DEV-C++, when I compile a simple hello world program, I've noticed, the size of the .exe compiled in DEV-C++ compared to the same code compiled in VC++ 9 Express is very different.

Code:

Code:

---

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main ()
{
  cout << "Hello World!" << endl;
  cout << "Press ENTER to continue..." << endl;
  cin.get();
  return 0;
}

---

EXE Compiled in DEV-C++ - 463 kb
EXE Compiled in VC++ 9 XPress - 39 kb

What?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, can anyone tell me how to add an icon and file tags (Like description, copyright, ect.) in VC++ like you could in Dev-C++ through project options?

Thanks everyone.

Debug vs. Release will change the comparative sizes.
Storing debug in the exe as opposed to storing debug in project files will change the comparative sizes.
Static or dynamic linking with the run-time libraries will change the comparative sizes.

Ok, thanks but that still doesn't make alot of sense to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can anyone answer my second question?

You may discover that VC++ exes may not start on other computers if they don't have the necessary support files that you get with VC++. You'd need to distribute those too (once the user has those, you probably won't need to redistribute them with the next program).

MingW exe's don't rely on external files (unless your program does). You can just copy the exe to another machine and it would work there.

For distributing I tend to compile with MingW (I don't really want to put other stuff into other people's computers).

(To make MingW exes smaller, you can use the strip option and make sure that the exe doesn't contain debugging info.)

So how would I make my exe a mingW exe in vc++?

I really didn't have time to do that tutorial today guys... But I will put one up. This computer doesn't even have VC++ on it to give a quick idea. But you can manually configure your compiler commands. All you need to do is put the gcc commands. I am on the same boat as anon. All commercial PC software I've sold independent of some firm has had its final compile done with gcc since it doesn't require extras and its licensing is not dubious at all.

Anyway, enough bs. Here is why I posted.

http://upx.sourceforge.net/

enjoy.

I don't really want to make it a whole bunch of files, I think i'll just look for another compiler with gcc/mingW.

Quote:

---

I don't really want to make it a whole bunch of files, I think i'll just look for another compiler with gcc/mingW.

---

Eh, the MinGW port of g++ is a compiler. If you are looking for an IDE to use the MinGW port of g++ with, then I would suggest Code::Blocks.

Using this code:

Code:

---

#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0500
#include <windows.h>
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <fstream>
#include <conio.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <vector>

struct CONSOLE_FONT
{
        DWORD index;
        COORD dim;
};//CONSOLE_FONT
BOOL (WINAPI *SetConsoleFont)(HANDLE, DWORD);
BOOL (WINAPI *GetConsoleFontInfo)(HANDLE, BOOL, DWORD, CONSOLE_FONT*);
DWORD (WINAPI *GetNumberOfConsoleFonts)();

//------------------------------------------------------------------------------


//------------------------------------------------------------------------------

template<typename pfn_t>
inline bool LoadFunc(HMODULE hmod, const char *name, pfn_t &fn)
{
        fn = (pfn_t)GetProcAddress(hmod, name);
        return fn != 0;
}//LoadFunc

//------------------------------------------------------------------------------








using namespace std;
int main()
{




    char title[MAX_PATH];
    HWND hwnd;

    if (!::GetConsoleTitleA(title, sizeof(title)) ||
        !(hwnd = ::FindWindowA(0, title)))
    {
        cerr << "Failed to find console window" << endl;
        return 1;
    }//else

    // Undocumented API's
    HMODULE hmod = ::GetModuleHandleA("KERNEL32.DLL");
    if (!hmod ||
        !LoadFunc(hmod, "SetConsoleFont", SetConsoleFont) ||
        !LoadFunc(hmod, "GetConsoleFontInfo", GetConsoleFontInfo) ||
        !LoadFunc(hmod, "GetNumberOfConsoleFonts", GetNumberOfConsoleFonts))
    {
        cerr << "Failed to load API(s): " << ::GetLastError() << endl;
        return 1;
    }//if

    HANDLE hOut = ::GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);

    // number of console fonts
    const DWORD MAX_FONTS = 40;
    DWORD num_fonts = GetNumberOfConsoleFonts();
    if (num_fonts > MAX_FONTS)
        num_fonts = MAX_FONTS;

    CONSOLE_FONT fonts[MAX_FONTS] = {0};
    GetConsoleFontInfo(hOut, 0, num_fonts, fonts);

    for (DWORD n = 0; n < num_fonts; ++n)
    {
        fonts[n].dim = GetConsoleFontSize(hOut, fonts[n].index);

        if (fonts[n].dim.X == 6 &&
            fonts[n].dim.Y == 8)
        {
            SetConsoleFont(hOut, fonts[n].index);
            ::InvalidateRect(hwnd, 0, FALSE);
            ::UpdateWindow(hwnd);



system("cls");

    cout<<"___          ___      ___    _______      |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"\\          /          /  /    |  ____ \\    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  ___      ___      /  /    | |    \\ \\    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  \\      /          /  /      | |____/  |  |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    ___  ___      |  |      |        /    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    \\  /          |  |      | ______/    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"        ___        |  |      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"      /    \\        |  |      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    ___  ___      |  |      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    /        \\    \ \\  \\      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  ___      ___      \\  \\      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  /            \\      \\__\\    |_|          |        ";
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<endl<<"_____________________________________________|      ";
SetConsoleTitle("Xtended Command Prompt");


system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0c");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0e");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0f");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);




cout<<endl<<      "                                            |";
cout<<endl<<      "                                            |";
cout<<endl<<      "Brad Szymanski XCP [Version 8.1.4000]        |"<<endl;
cout<<            "Copyright (c) 2008 Brad Szymanski.          |"<<endl;
cout<<            "All rights reserved.                        |"<<endl;
cout<<            "                                            |"<<endl;
char CM[9999];
char PAATH[9999];
ifstream inFile;
system("color 0e");
::GetCurrentDirectoryA(9999,PAATH);
while (1)
{
      SetConsoleTitle("Xtended Command Prompt");
      cout<<"______________________________________________________________________________"<<endl;
      cout<<endl<<PAATH<<"> ";
      cin.getline(CM, 9999);
      cout<<endl;
      if (!stricmp(CM, "close"))
      {
                      return 0;
      }

      if (!stricmp(CM, "exit"))
      {
                      return 0;
      }


          if (!stricmp(CM, "checkcon"))
      {
                                cout<<"Checking connections..."<<endl<<endl;
                                system("netstat -n > CHECKCON1.txt");
                                Sleep(5000);
                                system("netstat -n > CHECKCON2.txt");
                                system("FC CHECKCON1.txt CHECKCON2.txt");
                                system("del CHECKCON1.txt /f /q");
                                system("del CHECKCON2.txt /f /q");
                                goto LULZ;
      }




    if ( !stricmp(CM, "thanks"))
    {
        cout<<endl<<"You're welcome"<<endl;
        goto LULZ;
    }

      if (!stricmp(CM, "cd"))
      {
                      cout<<endl<<"Path: ";
                      cin.getline(PAATH, 9999);
                      cout<<endl;
                      ::SetCurrentDirectory(PAATH);
                      cout<<"Path Changed to: "<<PAATH<<endl;
                      goto LULZ;
      }

          if ( !stricmp(CM, "checkcon /?"))
    {
        cout<<"Checks connection IPs, waits 5 seconds, checks again and"<<endl;
                cout<<"displays the differences."<<endl;
        goto LULZ;
    }


          if ( !stricmp(CM, "flash"))
    {

system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0c");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0e");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0f");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0c");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0e");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0f");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0a");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0b");
Sleep(1);
system("color 0e");

        goto LULZ;
    }






      if (!stricmp(CM, "cls"))
      {
                      system("cls");

    cout<<"___          ___      ___    _______      |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"\\          /          /  /    |  ____ \\    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  ___      ___      /  /    | |    \\ \\    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  \\      /          /  /      | |____/  |  |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    ___  ___      |  |      |        /    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    \\  /          |  |      | ______/    |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"        ___        |  |      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"      /    \\        |  |      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    ___  ___      |  |      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"    /        \\    \ \\  \\      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  ___      ___      \\  \\      | |          |        "<<endl;
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<"  /            \\      \\__\\    |_|          |        ";
        Sleep(50);
    cout<<endl<<"_____________________________________________|      ";
SetConsoleTitle("Xtended Command Prompt");
cout<<endl<<      "                                            |";
cout<<endl<<      "                                            |";
cout<<endl<<      "Brad Szymanski XCP [Version 8.1.4000]        |"<<endl;
cout<<            "Copyright (c) 2008 Brad Szymanski.          |"<<endl;
cout<<            "All rights reserved.                        |"<<endl;
cout<<            "                                            |"<<endl;
                      goto LULZ;
      }





      if (!stricmp(CM, "hide"))
      {
                          HWND stealth;
                                                  AllocConsole();
                                                  stealth=FindWindowA("ConsoleWindowClass",NULL);
                                              ShowWindow(stealth,0);
                          goto LULZ;
      }




          if (!stricmp(CM, "hide /?"))
      {
                      cout<<"Hides the console."<<endl;
                      goto LULZ;
      }




      else
      {
      system(CM);
      }
      LULZ:;

}
      return 0;
}
}
}

---

I get this:

Quote:

---

C:\Users\bradszy\Documents\Projects\XCP Final\XCP FInal.cpp error: `GetConsoleFontSize' was not declared in this scope|

---

In code::blocks.
Makes Bradley sad. :(
Compiles perfectly in VC++.

Quote:

---

MingW exe's don't rely on external files (unless your program does). You can just copy the exe to another machine and it would work there.

---

Note that while it doesn't require "extras," the file size increases. You could call it bloat if you want. All the data is stored inside the exe, so every exe will be big.
On the other hand,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by anon

You may discover that VC++ exes may not start on other computers if they don't have the necessary support files that you get with VC++. You'd need to distribute those too (once the user has those, you probably won't need to redistribute them with the next program).

---

Visual C++ doesn't put data into the exe, unless you use static linking. This has the advantage that the exes becomes smaller.
But the target machine needs the runtime installed. But again, it only needs to be installed ONCE, and then it will always work, whatever program it is you install.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by master5001

I am on the same boat as anon. All commercial PC software I've sold independent of some firm has had its final compile done with gcc since it doesn't require extras and its licensing is not dubious at all.

---

Which makes this approach stupid IMHO.
But that's just my take. Different people use different approaches and there's no right or wrong.

Wait so If I use static linking, my application won't require installation?

No runtime files will be needed (but any external component such as controls that your app relies on will still need to be on the target machine), but the filesize WILL go up. And it WILL increase for EVERY application/program you make.
I find it better to redistribute runtime instead since you will gain a lot of size in the long run.

EDIT:
Never mind, but I still would rather compile a stand alone app, as it's only an emulation of CMD with added commands... I don't think it's going to be very big.
SO can anyone educate me on my error?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bradszy

Ok, thanks, but now i'm getting these:
(Didn't change anything)

---

You are probably not linking with your import library (xxx.lib, which corresponds to xxx.dll).

--
Mats

Btw, your indentation needs work.
In Visual Studio, you can do... select all text, press Alt+F8. Boom! Indented!

The functions are located in user32.dll, so you should link against user32.lib. In Visual Studio, though, this should be automatic. For other compilers/IDEs, I don't know.

1. Thanks Elysia, that's really, really cool.
2. Ok, ill go into project options and play around

After linking with user32.lib, I got to the linking stage! Yay!
And then...
Oh no.

Quote:

---

libcpmtd.lib(stdthrow.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __CrtDbgReportW|

libcpmtd.lib(xmbtowc.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __CrtDbgReportW|

XCP FInal.obj||error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol __CrtDbgReportW referenced in function "public: char const & __thiscall std::_String_const_iterator<char,struct std::char_traits<char>,class std::allocator<char> >::operator*(void)const " (??D?$_String_const_iterator@DU?$char_traits@D@std @@V?$allocator@D@2@@std@@QBEABDXZ)|

libcpmtd.lib(cin.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __CrtDbgReportW|

libcpmtd.lib(cout.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __CrtDbgReportW|

libcpmtd.lib(cerr.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __CrtDbgReportW|

libcpmtd.lib(xdebug.obj)||error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol __malloc_dbg referenced in function "void * __cdecl operator new(unsigned int,struct std::_DebugHeapTag_t const &,char *,int)" (??2@YAPAXIABU_DebugHeapTag_t@std@@PADH@Z)|

libcpmtd.lib(xmbtowc.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __malloc_dbg|

libcpmtd.lib(xdebug.obj)||error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol __free_dbg referenced in function "void __cdecl operator delete(void *,struct std::_DebugHeapTag_t const &,char *,int)" (??3@YAXPAXABU_DebugHeapTag_t@std@@PADH@Z)|

libcpmtd.lib(xmbtowc.obj)||error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol __free_dbg|

libcpmtd.lib(_tolower.obj)||error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol __calloc_dbg referenced in function __Getctype|

bin\Debug\Xtended CMD.exe||fatal error LNK1120: 4 unresolved externals|

---

:(

You are not linking with libcmtd.lib, I would expect.

--
Mats

Oh.My.Freaken.God.
You two are both legends!
Finally got it to work, thanks to you two!

AND, now my indenting won't suck ass!

This has been a really helpful thread, thanks again Elysia and Matsp!