[SOLVED] Why am I not seeing any .o files after compiling a C++ program

shjz · 01-16-2015, 04:12 PM

I am compiling using:

c++ -o myexec main.cpp file1.cpp file2.cpp

however, I only obtain an executable (myexec) without seeing any .o files after "ls -al". This is my first exposure to Unix, I would highly appreciate an answer to my question.

John VV · 01-16-2015, 04:34 PM

you might want to read a few guides
or better yet books

http://phoxis.org/2009/12/01/beginners-guide-to-gcc/

http://www.amazon.com/The-Definitive.../dp/1590595858

or

is it you need C and C++ guides
http://www.cprogramming.com/

but if you WANT objects
http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/the-be...-and-variables

veerain · 01-16-2015, 11:02 PM

Quote:

c++ -o myexec main.cpp file1.cpp file2.cpp

To get object files you have to do:

Code:

c++ -c main.cpp
c++ -c file1.cpp
c++ -c file2.cpp
c++ -o myexec main.o file1.o file2.o

jpollard · 01-18-2015, 05:58 AM

To add a bit to what the others said -

The "-o" only asks for an executable output, all other files created are discarded.

You should have "myexec" (assuming no compile errors happened) and that is your program to run.

sundialsvcs · 01-19-2015, 08:10 AM

Indeed, the compiler is trying its best to do you a favor.

You told it that you don't care about all those "extra" files; that you want your room to always be neat and tidy. So, it's helpfully throwing away those files for you, just like you asked it to do.

pan64 · 01-19-2015, 09:24 AM

I would say read the man page, but there are a lot of info. So -c means to create .o files, without -c you will have no .o files. c++ works in several steps, and the final result is usually an executable (or libraries), not the intermediate .o files.

shjz · 01-19-2015, 03:55 PM

Thank you all for helping me. I understand why now. Thanks again!