Q97809: FIX: C1024 or C1083 Error When INCLUDE Set to Root Directory

Article: Q97809
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 7.00 | 1.00 1.50 | 1.00
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompilerkbbuglist kbfixlist
Last Modified: 22-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- The C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), included with:
   - Microsoft C/C++ for MS-DOS, version 7.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, 16-bit edition, versions 1.0, 1.5 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, version 1.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

An attempt to compile an application fails and Microsoft C/C++ generates one of
the following messages. For version 8.0:

  fatal error C1083: Cannot open include file: 'stdio.h':
  Permission denied

For version 7.0:

  fatal error C1024: cannot open include file 'stdio.h'

The application compiles correctly in Microsoft C version 6.0 for MS-DOS.

CAUSE
=====

The INCLUDE environment variable specifies the root directory of a drive and a
required header file is located in the root directory. This occurs most often
when the MS-DOS SUBST command creates a drive letter for a subdirectory on a
drive.

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around this problem, edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to replace the
backslash character (\) in the directory specification with a forward slash
character (/). For example, the modified SET statement would appear as follows:

     set INCLUDE=C:/ 

For a drive letter created with the SUBST command, omitting the backslash
character entirely also works. For example:

     set INCLUDE=M:

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the products listed at the beginning
of this article. This bug was corrected in C/C++ version 9.0, included with
Visual C++ 32-bit Edition, version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Perform the following two steps to demonstrate this problem.

1. Copy STDIO.H to the root directory on your C drive.

2. Enter the following at the MS-DOS command prompt:

     set INCLUDE=C:\ 
     cl TEST.C

If your C/C++ INCLUDE directory is C:\C700\INCLUDE, the error also occurs if you
enter the following at the MS-DOS command prompt:

     subst M: C:\C700\INCLUDE
     set INCLUDE=M:\ 
     cl TEST.C

The compiler uses the INCLUDE environment variable to specify the directories it
searches for header files listed in the #include statement.

The MS-DOS SUBST command can be used to substitute a drive letter for a directory
path. For more information on the SUBST command, please refer to your "MS-DOS
User's Guide and Reference" manual. Also note that the online help for MS-DOS
version 6.0 states "Do not use the SUBST command when you are running Windows."

Sample Code
-----------

  /*
   * Compile options needed: none
   */ 

  #include <stdio.h>

  void main (void)
  {
     printf("Hello World\n");
  }

Additional query words: 1.00 1.50 7.00 8.00 8.00c

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbbuglist kbfixlist
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : 7.00 | 1.00 1.50 | 1.00
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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