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Q151898: BUG: Include Directories Cannot End with a Backslash

Article: Q151898
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 2.0,2.1,2.2,4.0,4.1,4.2,4.2b,5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbVC200bug kbVC210bug kbVC220bug kbVC400bug kbVC410bug kbVC420bug kbVC500bug
Last Modified: 07-FEB-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- The C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), used with:
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 4.0, 4.1 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, versions 4.2, 4.2b, 5.0, 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, versions 4.2, 4.2b, 5.0, 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++.NET (2002) 
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SYMPTOMS
========

The compiler ignores some or all of the Command Line options that appear after
the /I switch.

CAUSE
=====

The compiler incorrectly parses the additional Include Directory Command Line
switch if its argument ends with a backslash followed by a quotation mark. The
compiler interprets the \" sequence as meaning the path contains a quotation
mark.

If you set the additional Include Directories from within Developer Studio,
double quotes are automatically placed around the directory name. If there is a
backslash at the end of the directory name, this problem occurs.

RESOLUTION
==========

Remove the trailing backslash character from the Include Directory.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the
beginning of this article.

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

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

  // Compile options needed to generate error (compiler will not detect
  // the /D"_CMDLINE":)
  //    CL /c test.cpp /I"test\" /D"_CMDLINE"
  // 
  // Compile options needed for successful compiling (compiler will
  // detect the /D"_CMDLINE":)
  //    CL /c test.cpp /I"test" /D"_CMDLINE"

  // test.cpp
  // 
  #ifdef _CMDLINE
  #pragma message("Program compiled with _CMDLINE defined.")
  #else
  #pragma message("Program compiled without _CMDLINE defined.")
  #endif

Additional query words: kbVC400bug

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbVC200bug kbVC210bug kbVC220bug kbVC400bug kbVC410bug kbVC420bug kbVC500bug kbVC600bug 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : :2.0,2.1,2.2,4.0,4.1,4.2,4.2b,5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbbug

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

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