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Q208155: PRB: BK1503 when Building Large .bsc File

Article: Q208155
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbMiscTools
Last Modified: 11-JUN-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, versions 5.0, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, versions 5.0, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When building a large browser database, or .bsc file, the following error may
occur:

  BK1503: cannot write to file 'filename'

CAUSE
=====

During compilation the compiler stores browser information for each source file
in a corresponding .sbr file. BSCMAKE combines the .sbr files generated during
compilation into one browser database. If the resulting browser database exceeds
64 MB or if the number of input files the compiler processes (source and
headers) exceeds 4086 this error will be emitted by BSCMAKE.

RESOLUTION
==========

If the problem is caused by the number of input files exceeding 4086, the only
way to work around this problem is to reduce the number of source files the
compiler generates browse information for. From Visual Studio, this can be
accomplished by clearing Generate Browse Info on the C/C++ tab in Project
Settings for your entire project, then select on a file by file basis.

If the problem is caused by the size of the .bsc file exceeding 64MB, then
reducing the number of input files will decrease the size of the resulting .bsc
file. The size of the .bsc file may also be reduced through the use of /Em
(Exclude Macro Expanded Symbols), /El (Exclude Local Variables), and /Es
(Exclude System Files). The /E options can be added manually to the Project
Options on the BSCMAKE tab of the Project Settings dialog.

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

Additional query words: kbDSupport

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbMiscTools 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC500 kbVC600 kbVC32bitSearch kbVC500Search
Version           : :5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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

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