Q238875: PRB: C2471 or LNK1140 Error with PDB File Limits

Article: Q238875
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbDebug kbLinker kbVC kbVC500 kbVC600
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
========

The following errors are normally related to running into the module and size
limits when a program database (PDB) file is created (a PDB file contains
information used by the debugger; the file has a .pdb extension):

Compiler Error:

  C2471: cannot update program database

Linker Error:

  LNK1140 "too many modules for program database; relink with /PDB:NONE"

CAUSE
=====

There is a limit of 4096 modules (.obj files) in a PDB file. The file also has a
total size limit of approximately 64 MB.

RESOLUTION
==========

There are several ways to reduce the size of PDB files:

- Build some of the source files with the /Zd switch (line numbers only).

- Build some of the source files as separate dynamic-link libraries (DLLs)
  instead of static libraries.

- Build some of the source files without debug information.

- Try the compiler switch /Fd"myproject.pdb" (including the quotation marks).

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

Note that the linker option /PDBTYPE:SEPT may have little affect in reducing the
project's PDB file size. In Visual C++ 5.0, if you choose to use the /Fd switch,
avoid using the linker option /PDBTYPE:SEPT if the PDB file name you choose is
the same under compiler and linker options.

REFERENCES
==========

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article
in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q121366 INFO: PDB and DBG Files - What They Are and How They Work

Additional query words:

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Keywords          : kbCompiler kbDebug kbLinker kbVC kbVC500 kbVC600 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC500 kbVC600 kbVC32bitSearch kbVC500Search
Version           : :5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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