PRB: Header Files Ignored by Recompile All & Build Process

 Last reviewed: February 23, 1996
Article ID: Q147201
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0 and 3.0b

SYMPTOMS

Issuing a Recompile All from the Project Manager does not force a recompile of program (.prg) files if the program has not been altered. As a result, header (.h) files that are referenced in the program file are ignored by the Recompile All and Build processes. Therefore, if changes are made to a header file that is referenced in a program file, the new changes are not automatically redefined.

NOTE: This behavior applies only to header files that are referenced in unchanged program files. In other words, header files referenced in forms and classes are reprocessed by a Recompile All.

CAUSE

Each .prg file has an associated .fxp file after the first Build process. If the .fxp and .prg file datetime stamps are the same, then it is assumed that the .prg file hasn't changed, so it's left out of any subsequent recompile processes.

RESOLUTION

There are two ways to force a recompile of .prg files:

  • Delete all corresponding .fxp files before starting the build process from within the Project Manager.

    -or-

  • Issue a COMPILE *.PRG command from the Command window.

It is the presence of the .fxp file that prevents the Project Manager from recompiling all files.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Create a simple project, and add a .prg file that contains a #INCLUDE statement that references a header (.h) file. Also include a WAIT WINDOW statement that will display the contents of a constant variable that is declared in the header file.

  2. Add the header file to the Text File section of Project Manager.

  3. In the header file, insert a #DEFINE command that places a value into the constant referenced by the WAIT WINDOW.

  4. Build the project, and run it noting the value displayed from the constant. Then change the value for the constant in the header file.

  5. Rebuild the project with the Recompile All Files check box selected.

  6. Rerun the application, and note that the displayed value does not reflect the new value in the header file. The value is the same as the previously stored value.

  7. Delete the .fxp file that corresponds to the .prg file.

  8. Rebuild the project with the Recompile All Files check box selected.

  9. Rerun the application, and note that the displayed value now reflects the value in the header file.

Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00b VFoxWin re-compile
KBCategory: kbtool kbprb
KBSubcategory: FxtoolProjman

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Last reviewed: February 23, 1996
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