What is StdAfx.h and how should I use it

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Hi,

When we create any C++ project in Visual Studio, by default it create StdAfx.h which is known as 'precompiled header'. I have gone many pages on Google, but didn't exactly understand it's usage. Can you please provide some light on it.

Regards

Posted 29-May-12 18:25pm

Pranit Kothari

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**JF2015** · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-29T18:31:00

Solution 1

Precompiled headers are used to reduce the compile time by adding often required include files there.
See Google or this Wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precompiled_header[^]
I would recommend, that you add the include files that most of your other application code requires to the stdafx.h. This significantly reduces the time to build your project.

Posted 29-May-12 18:31pm

JF2015

Updated 29-May-12 18:35pm

v2

Comments

[no name] 30-May-12 0:42am

I have read this link.. but I wanted to know how will I use (take benefit) of this file

JF2015 30-May-12 0:47am

So, as I wrote: Enable "Precompiled Header" in your Project settings and add the most common header files to the stdafx.h. See this MSDN docu:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/szfdksca%28v=vs.71%29.aspx
I also recommend to try that out with a small project, since when applying this to a huge project, you can easily mess up your build.

[no name] 30-May-12 0:52am

Ok Thanks.