C++ Pre-compiled headers

gnashley · 12-08-2008, 09:21 AM

I'm trying to save some disk space and I noticed that my C++ package has a large directory of pre-compiled headers (in stdc++.h.gch). I was wondering if these are really needed. I figure they are probably there to speed up compilation of C++ programs, but that they might be dispensable. Does anyone know for sure?

pinniped · 12-09-2008, 09:05 PM

Yes, precompiled headers are dispensable. In many cases it doesn't matter so much these days, but 10 years ago this made a huge difference to compile times. You can move your precompiled headers if you want to play around to see what the difference in build time is.

gnashley · 12-10-2008, 01:31 AM

That's great to hear. Out of ~40MB for the gcc-g++ package, 37MB is in those pre-compiled headers. I had thought of moving them and trying a few compiles -but I'd have to search for some large/complex C++ progs to try it on as I avoid them like the plague, generally.
Thanks again.