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Q115857: PRB: Using #define to Specify Include File Fails with C2006

Article: Q115857
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbprbkbbuglist
Last Modified: 26-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), included with:
   - Microsoft Visual C++, versions 1.0, 1.5 
   - *EDITOR Please do not choose this product*Microsoft Visual C++ 32-bit Edition* use 241, 265, 225, versions 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When compiling the source below using precompiled headers, you may get the
following error from the C/C++ compiler for MS-DOS under Windows:

  error C2006: #include expected a filename, found 'identifier'

or the following error from the C/C++ compiler for MS-DOS under Windows NT:

  fatal error C1001: internal compiler error
  (compiler file 'msc1.cpp', line 585)

or the following errors when compiling with Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition,
versions 1.0 and 2.0:

  error C2006: #include expected a filename, found 'identifier'
  fatal error C1001: INTERNAL COMPILER ERROR
  (compiler file 'msc1.cpp', line 602)

  Please choose the Technical Support command on the Visual Workbench Help menu,
  or open the Technical Support help file for more information

or the following errors when compiling with Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition,
version 4.0,

  error C2006: #include expected a filename, found 'identifier'
  fatal error C1903: unable to recover from previous error(s); stopping
  execution

CAUSE
=====

The problem is in using a defined constant to specify an include file in the
#include directive. The directive is being processed before the macro is
completely expanded, resulting in the error.


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

The following sample code can be used to demonstrate the problem.

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

  /* Compile options needed: /Yu"stop.h"
   * Previously created with /Yc"stop.h"
   */ 

FIRST.H
-------

  #define SecondH "Second.H"

SECOND.H
--------

  #define SOMETHING

STOP.H
------

  //This file is empty

TEST.CPP
--------

  #include "First.H"
  #include SecondH
  #include "stop.h"

Additional query words: 8.00 8.00c 9.00 1.00 1.50 2.00 4.00

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Keywords          : kbCompiler kbprb kbbuglist
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

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