All Questions
23,004
questions
241
votes
13
answers
201k
views
What's the best free C++ profiler for Windows? [closed]
I'm looking for a profiler in order to find the bottleneck in my C++ code. I'd like to find a free, non-intrusive, and good profiling tool. I'm a game developer, and I use PIX for Xbox 360 and ...
223
votes
10
answers
427k
views
Is there a replacement for unistd.h for Windows (Visual C)?
I'm porting a relatively simple console program written for Unix to the Windows platform (Visual C++ 8.0). All the source files include "unistd.h", which doesn't exist. Removing it, I get ...
- 35k
220
votes
7
answers
258k
views
C++ compiling on Windows and Linux: ifdef switch [duplicate]
I want to run some c++ code on Linux and Windows. There are some pieces of code that I want to include only for one operating system and not the other. Is there a standard #ifdef that once can use?
...
189
votes
17
answers
341k
views
The program can't start because libgcc_s_dw2-1.dll is missing
I have created a simple program in C++ with Code::Blocks.
If I run it from Code::Blocks, it works correctly; but if I run it by doubleclicking on the executable file, a window pops up with this ...
- 26.1k
184
votes
16
answers
217k
views
Fastest method of screen capturing on Windows
I want to write a screencasting program for the Windows platform, but am unsure of how to capture the screen. The only method I'm aware of is to use GDI, but I'm curious whether there are other ways ...
- 7,274
177
votes
15
answers
203k
views
How to debug heap corruption errors?
I am debugging a (native) multi-threaded C++ application under Visual Studio 2008. On seemingly random occasions, I get a "Windows has triggered a break point..." error with a note that this ...
Beef
173
votes
8
answers
691k
views
"X does not name a type" error in C++
I have two classes declared as below:
class User
{
public:
MyMessageBox dataMsgBox;
};
class MyMessageBox
{
public:
void sendMessage(Message *msg, User *recvr);
Message receiveMessage();
...
- 8,325
163
votes
15
answers
178k
views
Fatal error: "No Target Architecture" in Visual Studio
When I try to compile my c++ project using Visual Studio 2010 in either Win32 or x64 mode I get the following error:
>C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\include\winnt.h(135): ...
- 6,058
161
votes
15
answers
158k
views
What is the closest thing Windows has to fork()?
I guess the question says it all.
I want to fork on Windows. What is the most similar operation and how do I use it.
- 66.7k
158
votes
8
answers
237k
views
What is the bit size of long on 64-bit Windows?
Not to long ago, someone told me that long are not 64 bits on 64 bit machines and I should always use int. This did not make sense to me. I have seen docs (such as the one on Apple's official site) ...
user34537
155
votes
22
answers
341k
views
Qt 5.1.1: Application failed to start because platform plugin "windows" is missing
Edit:
Some people started to mark my question as a duplicate. Do not forget that many similar questions existed when I asked this one (see e.g. the list below). However, none of these answers solved ...
- 4,697
137
votes
6
answers
224k
views
LPCSTR, LPCTSTR and LPTSTR
What the difference between LPCSTR, LPCTSTR and LPTSTR?
Why do we need to do this to convert a string into a LV / _ITEM structure variable pszText:
LV_DISPINFO dispinfo;
dispinfo.item.pszText = ...
- 1,373
136
votes
9
answers
252k
views
How to convert std::string to LPCSTR?
How can I convert a std::string to LPCSTR? Also, how can I convert a std::string to LPWSTR?
I am totally confused with these LPCSTR LPSTR LPWSTR and LPCWSTR.
Are LPWSTR and LPCWSTR the same?
- 13.8k
128
votes
4
answers
40k
views
How do I safely pass objects, especially STL objects, to and from a DLL?
How do I pass class objects, especially STL objects, to and from a C++ DLL?
My application has to interact with third-party plugins in the form of DLL files, and I can't control what compiler these ...
- 8,768
128
votes
20
answers
413k
views
120
votes
15
answers
943k
views
Run C++ in command prompt - Windows
I know that everyone uses an IDE nowadays, but I just find it simpler to write my code in notepad++, compile it using a command prompt command, and run it from there too. At least that works for Java ...
- 13.8k
111
votes
5
answers
56k
views
How does the Import Library work? Details?
I know this may seem quite basic to geeks. But I want to make it crystal clear.
When I want to use a Win32 DLL, usually I just call the APIs like LoadLibrary() and GetProcAdderss(). But recently, I ...
- 63.2k
107
votes
24
answers
457k
views
How to get Current Directory?
I want to create a file in the current directory (where the executable is running).
My code:
LPTSTR NPath = NULL;
DWORD a = GetCurrentDirectory(MAX_PATH,NPath);
HANDLE hNewFile = CreateFile(NPath,...
- 35.1k
104
votes
8
answers
187k
views
How to read a value from the Windows registry
Given the key for some registry value (e.g. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\blah\blah\blah\foo) how can I:
Safely determine that such a key exists.
Programmatically (i.e. with code) get its value.
I have ...
- 2,254
102
votes
4
answers
210k
views
How to use QueryPerformanceCounter?
I recently decided that I needed to change from using milliseconds to microseconds for my Timer class, and after some research I've decided that QueryPerformanceCounter is probably my safest bet. (The ...
- 4,187
100
votes
3
answers
150k
views
How to use Libraries
For some reason I'm never able to use external libraries in any language. I'm looking for instructions/explanations of how to use external libraries, as well as how they work. When I search online, I ...
- 11.3k
95
votes
8
answers
70k
views
How should I use FormatMessage() properly in C++?
Without:
MFC
ATL
How can I use FormatMessage() to get the error text for a HRESULT?
HRESULT hresult = application.CreateInstance("Excel.Application");
if (FAILED(hresult))
{
// what should ...
- 2,853
95
votes
13
answers
63k
views
LLVM C++ IDE for Windows
Is there some C/C++ IDE for Windows, which is integrated with the LLVM compiler (and Clang C/C++ analyzer), just like modern Xcode do.
I have Dev-Cpp (it uses outdated GCC) and Code::Blocks (with ...
- 92.1k
95
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Manipulate system/visible clipping region in Windows 1809
Apparently, Microsoft has changed the way clipping works with Windows update 1809, released in late 2018. Before that update, GetClipBox() returned the full client rectangle of a window, even when it ...
- 1,771
93
votes
3
answers
60k
views
__cdecl or __stdcall on Windows?
I'm currently developing a C++ library for Windows which will be distributed as a DLL. My goal is to maximize binary interoperability; more precisely, the functions in my DLL must be usable from code ...
- 24.6k
92
votes
9
answers
61k
views
What is the meaning and usage of __stdcall?
I've come across __stdcall a lot these days.
MSDN doesn't explain very clearly what it really means, when and why should it be used, if at all.
I would appreciate if someone would provide an ...
- 43.7k
92
votes
3
answers
9k
views
<random> generates same number in Linux, but not in Windows
The code below is meant to generate a list of five pseudo-random numbers in the interval [1,100]. I seed the default_random_engine with time(0), which returns the system time in unix time. When I ...
- 872
91
votes
10
answers
261k
views
Create a directory if it doesn't exist
In my app I want to copy a file to the other hard disk so this is my code:
#include <windows.h>
using namespace std;
int main(int argc, char* argv[] )
{
string Input = "C:\\Emploi NAm....
- 1,216
91
votes
5
answers
60k
views
What is the difference between WM_QUIT, WM_CLOSE, and WM_DESTROY in a windows program?
I was wondering what the difference between the WM_QUIT, WM_CLOSE, and WM_DESTROY messages in a windows program, essentially: when are they sent, and do they have any automatic effects besides what's ...
user98188
91
votes
7
answers
51k
views
When and how should I use exception handling?
I am reading about exception handling. I got some information about what exception handling is, but I have a few questions:
When to throw an exception?
Instead of throwing an exception, can we use a ...
- 2,881
90
votes
11
answers
62k
views
Can I get Memcached running on a Windows (x64) 64bit environment?
Does anyone know IF, WHEN or HOW I can get Memcached running on a Windows 64bit environment?
I'm setting up a new hosting solution and would much prefer to run a 64bit OS, and since it's an ASP.Net ...
- 8,685
89
votes
12
answers
49k
views
Is TCHAR still relevant?
I'm new to Windows programming and after reading the Petzold book I wonder: is it still good practice to use the TCHAR type and the _T() function to declare strings or should I just use the wchar_t ...
- 3,389
87
votes
7
answers
99k
views
Export all symbols when creating a DLL
With VS2005, I want to create a DLL and automatically export all symbols without adding __declspec(dllexport) everywhere, and without hand-creating .def files. Is there a way to do this?
- 5,817
84
votes
7
answers
113k
views
WINMAIN and main() in C++ (Extended)
Right, I have looked at this post: Difference between WinMain,main and DllMain in C++
I now know that WINMAIN is used for window applications and main() for consoles. But reading the post doesn't ...
- 9,385
81
votes
5
answers
124k
views
Detect Windows or Linux in C, C++ [duplicate]
I am writing a cross platform program. I want this one program to run under both Windows and Linux, so I have two different code segments for the two platforms. If the OS is Windows, I want the first ...
- 2,047
80
votes
4
answers
75k
views
Is there a way to get the string representation of HRESULT value using win API?
Is there a function in win API which can be used to extract the string representation of HRESULT value?
The problem is that not all return values are documented in MSDN, for example ...
- 1,325
80
votes
9
answers
119k
views
Refreshing the auto complete (IntelliSense) database in Visual Studio
I've noticed that the auto complete feature in Visual Studio no longer works properly once my project has reached a certain size (in my case ~4,100 lines of code). I've also noticed that performance ...
- 4,402
80
votes
13
answers
49k
views
rc.exe no longer found in VS 2015 Command Prompt
I just installed Windows 10 Creators Update (version 10.0.15063).
I have multiple versions of Visual Studio installed (2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017). I installed VS 2017 only a couple weeks ago.
...
- 4,420
79
votes
2
answers
36k
views
Problem calling std::max
I compiled my bison-generated files in Visual Studio and got these errors:
...\position.hh(83): error C2589: '(' : illegal token on right side of '::'
...\position.hh(83): error C2059: syntax ...
- 1,527
77
votes
8
answers
85k
views
GCC worth using on Windows to replace MSVC?
I currently develop in C++ on Windows, using Visual Studio 2010. After the official announcement of C++11, I have begun to use some of its features that are already available in MSVC. But, as expected,...
- 3,655
76
votes
6
answers
78k
views
Linking different libraries for Debug and Release builds in Cmake on windows?
So I've got a library I'm compiling and I need to link different third party things in depending on if it's the debug or release build (specifically the release or debug versions of those libraries). ...
- 14.3k
76
votes
7
answers
76k
views
How to open an std::fstream (ofstream or ifstream) with a unicode filename?
You wouldn't imagine something as basic as opening a file using the C++ standard library for a Windows application was tricky ... but it appears to be. By Unicode here I mean UTF-8, but I can convert ...
- 918
75
votes
13
answers
161k
views
C++, How to determine if a Windows Process is running?
This is concerning Windows XP processes.
I have a process running, let's call it Process1. Process1 creates a new process, Process2, and saves its id.
Now, at some point Process1 wants Process2 to ...
- 759
74
votes
44
answers
1.2m
views
Best C++ IDE or Editor for Windows
What is the best C++ IDE or editor for using on Windows? I use Notepad++, but am missing IntelliSense from Visual Studio.
74
votes
3
answers
29k
views
What does it mean to set the declaration of a function equal to 0? How can you assign an integer to a function?
I was browsing through the sources of a (prefer not to name) GUI Toolkit which wrapped up the Windows API when I found the following function definition in the window class:
virtual LRESULT CALLBACK ...
- 21.7k
74
votes
2
answers
18k
views
know if .lib is static or import
I have .lib file compiled from C code. How I know if this self-contained static library or just an import lib and DLL will be needed at runtime? Is there some dumpbin option I'm missing?
- 17.1k
72
votes
6
answers
81k
views
What are the definitions for LPARAM and WPARAM?
I know I'm being lazy here and I should trawl the header files for myself, but what are the actual types for LPARAM and WPARAM parameters? Are they pointers, or four byte ints? I'm doing some C# ...
- 48.9k
72
votes
6
answers
196k
views
cmake - find_library - custom library location
I'm currently trying to get CMake running for my project (on windows). I want to use a custom location where all libraries are installed. To inform CMake about that path I tried to do that:
set(...
- 3,053
71
votes
7
answers
154k
views
How to get main window handle from process id?
How to get main window handle from process id?
I want to bring this window to the front.
It works well in "Process Explorer".
- 26.8k
70
votes
4
answers
36k
views
Have a static lib, is there a simple way to know it is for 32 bit or 64 bit?
Is there any tool that can directly test if a library is made for 32 or 64 bit?
- 20.9k