How to use "link" command tool to link objet files?

If you have object files previously compiled by your or others, you can follow this tutorial to link them into executable files:

1. Create a simple C++ program, Hello.cpp, with a text editor:

#include <iostream>  
using namespace std;  
void main() {  
    cout << "Hello, world, from Visual C++!" << endl;  
}

2. Run "All Programs > Visual Studio 2017 > Visual Studio Tools > Developer Command Prompt for VS 2017". You see the Visual Studio Command Prompt window.

3. Compile the source file Hello.cpp with "cl -c" to generate the object file only. You see Hello.obj generated:

C:\fyicenter>
C:\fyicenter>cl /c /EHsc Hello.cpp
Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.10.25019 for x86
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Hello.cpp

C:\fyicenter>dir Hello.*
10:23 PM               122 Hello.cpp
10:33 AM            95,055 Hello.obj

4. Link the object file Hello.obj with "link" to generate the executable file. You see Hello.exe generated:

C:\fyicenter>link Hello.obj
Microsoft (R) Incremental Linker Version 14.10.25019.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\fyicenter>dir Hello.*
10:23 PM               122 Hello.cpp
10:35 AM           186,880 Hello.exe
10:33 AM            95,055 Hello.obj

4. Run the executable file Hello.exe:

C:\fyicenter>Hello.exe
Hello, world, from Visual C++!

 

⇒Using Visual Studio Command Prompt

⇒⇒Visual Studio Tutorials