cl.exe is a tool that controls the Microsoft C and C++ compilers and linker. cl.exe can be run only on operating systems that support Microsoft Visual Studio. For more information, see the "Operating System" row of the tables in Visual Studio Editions and Hardware Requirements.
You can start this tool only from the Visual Studio command prompt. You cannot start it from a system command prompt or from Windows Explorer.
The compilers produce Common Object File Format (COFF) object (.obj) files. The linker produces executable (.exe) files or dynamic-link libraries (DLLs).
Note that all compiler options are case sensitive.
To compile without linking, use /c.
To find a particular compiler option, see one of the following lists:
Compiler Options Listed Alphabetically
Compiler Options Listed by Category
For information on specifying options, see:
Setting Compiler Options
Fast Compilation
CL Invokes the Linker
Use NMAKE to build your output file.
Use BSCMAKE to support class browsing.
Linker options also affect how your program is built.