The following is a comprehensive categorical list of compiler options. For an alphabetical list, see Compiler Options Listed Alphabetically.
Optimization
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/O1 | Creates small code |
/O2 | Creates fast code |
/Ob | Controls inline expansion |
/Od | Disables optimization |
/Og | Uses global optimizations |
/Oi | Generates intrinsic functions |
/Os | Favors small code |
/Ot | Favors fast code |
/Ox | Uses maximum optimization (/Ob2gity /Gs) |
/Oy | Omits frame pointer (x86 only) |
Code Generation
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/arch | Use SSE or SSE2 instructions in code generation (x86 only) |
/bigobj | Increases the number of addressable sections in an .obj file. |
/clr | Produces an output file to run on the common language runtime |
/EH | Specifies the model of exception handling |
/favor | Produces code that is optimized for a specific x64 architecture or for the specifics of micro-architectures in both the AMD64 and Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) architectures. |
/fp | Specify floating-point behavior. |
/G1 | Optimize for Itanium processor. Only available in the IPF cross compiler or IPF native compiler. |
/G2 | Optimize for Itanium2 processor. Only available in the IPF cross compiler or IPF native compiler. |
/Gd | Uses the __cdecl calling convention (x86 only) |
/Ge | Activates stack probes |
/GF | Enables string pooling |
/Gh | Calls hook function _penter |
/GH | Calls hook function _pexit |
/GL | Enables whole program optimization |
/Gm | Enables minimal rebuild |
/GR | Enables run-time type information (RTTI) |
/Gr | Uses the __fastcall calling convention (x86 only) |
/Gs | Controls stack probes |
/GT | Supports fiber safety for data allocated using static thread-local storage |
/GX | Enables synchronous exception handling |
/Gy | Enables function-level linking |
/Gz | Uses the __stdcall calling convention (x86 only) |
/MD | Creates a multithreaded DLL using MSVCRT.lib |
/MDd | Creates a debug multithreaded DLL using MSVCRTD.lib |
/MT | Creates a multithreaded executable file using LIBCMT.lib |
/MTd | Creates a debug multithreaded executable file using LIBCMTD.lib |
/Qfast_transcendentals | Generates fast transcendentals. |
/Qimprecise_fwaits | Removes fwait commands inside try blocks. |
Output Files
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/FA | Creates a listing file Sets listing file name |
/Fa | Creates a listing file Sets listing file name |
/Fd | Renames program database file |
/Fe | Renames the executable file |
/Fm | Creates a mapfile |
/Fo | Creates an object file |
/Fp | Specifies a precompiled header file name |
/FR/Fr | Generates browser files |
/Fx | Merges injected code with source file |
Debugging
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/GS | Buffers security check |
/GZ | Same as /RTC1 |
/homeparams | Forces parameters passed in registers to be written to their locations on the stack upon function entry. This compiler option is only for the x64 compilers (native and cross compile). |
/RTC | Enables run-time error checking |
/Wp64 | Detects 64-bit portability problems |
/Yd | Places complete debugging information in all object files |
/Yl | Injects a PCH reference when creating a debug library |
/Z7 | Generates C 7.0–compatible debugging information |
/Zi | Generates complete debugging information |
/ZI | Includes debug information in a program database compatible with Edit and Continue (x86 only) |
/Zx | Generates debuggable optimized code. Only available in the IPF cross compiler or IPF native compiler. |
Preprocessor
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/AI | Specifies a directory to search to resolve file references passed to the #using directive |
/C | Preserves comments during preprocessing |
/D | Defines constants and macros |
/E | Copies preprocessor output to standard output |
/EP | Copies preprocessor output to standard output |
/Fl | Preprocesses the specified include file |
/FU | Forces the use of a file name, as if it had been passed to the #using directive |
/I | Searches a directory for include files |
/P | Writes preprocessor output to a file |
/U | Removes a predefined macro |
/u | Removes all predefined macros |
/X | Ignores the standard include directory |
Language
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/openmp | Enables #pragma omp in source code. |
/vd | Suppresses or enables hidden vtordisp class members |
/vmb | Uses best base for pointers to members |
/vmg | Uses full generality for pointers to members |
/vmm | Declares multiple inheritance |
/vms | Declares single inheritance |
/vmv | Declares virtual inheritance |
/Za | Disables language extensions |
/Zc | Specifies standard behavior under /Ze |
/Ze | Enables language extensions |
/Zg | Generates function prototypes |
/Zl | Removes default library name from .obj file |
/Zpn | Packs structure members |
/Zs | Checks syntax only |
Linking
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/F | Sets stack size |
/LD | Creates a dynamic-link library |
/LDd | Creates a debug dynamic-link library |
/LN | Create an MSIL module. |
/link | Passes the specified option to LINK |
/MD | Compiles to create a multithreaded DLL, using MSVCRT.lib |
/MDd | Compiles to create a debug multithreaded DLL, using MSVCRTD.lib |
/MT | Compiles to create a multithreaded executable file, using LIBCMT.lib |
/MTd | Compiles to create a debug multithreaded executable file, using LIBCMTD.lib |
Precompiled Header
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/Y- | Ignores all other precompiled-header compiler options in the current build |
/Yc | Creates a precompiled header file |
/Yd | Places complete debugging information in all object files |
/Yu | Uses a precompiled header file during build |
Miscellaneous
Option | Purpose |
|---|
/? | Lists the compiler options |
@ | Specifies a response file |
/analyze | Enables code analysis. |
/c | Compiles without linking |
/doc | Process documentation comments to an XML file. |
/errorReport | Allows you to provide internal compiler error (ICE) information directly to the Visual C++ team. |
/FC | Display full path of source code files passed to cl.exe in diagnostic text. |
/H | Restricts the length of external (public) names |
/HELP | Lists the compiler options |
/hotpatch | Creates a hotpatchable image. |
/J | Changes the default char type |
/MP | Builds multiple source files concurrently. |
/nologo | Suppresses display of sign-on banner |
QIfist | Suppresses the call of the helper function _ftol when a conversion from a floating-point type to an integral type is required (x86 only) |
/QIPF_B | Does not generate sequences of instructions that give unexpected results, according to the errata for the B CPU stepping. (IPF only) |
/QIPF_C | Does not generate sequences of instructions that give unexpected results, according to the errata for the C CPU stepping. (IPF only) |
/QIPF_fr32 | Do not use upper 96 floating-point registers. (IPF only) |
/QIPF_noPIC | Generates an image with position dependent code (IPF only). |
/QIPF_restrict_plabels | Enhance performance for programs that do not create functions at runtime. (IPF only) |
/showIncludes | Displays a list of all include files during compilation |
/Tc/TC | Specifies a C source file |
/Tp/TP | Specifies a C++ source file |
/V | Sets the version string |
/Wall | Enables all warnings, including warnings that are disabled by default |
/W | Sets warning level |
/w | Disables all warnings |
/WL | Enables one-line diagnostics for error and warning messages when compiling C++ source code from the command line |
/Zm | Specifies the precompiled header memory allocation limit |
See Also