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The file that you run to launch a program—whether you’re talking about a game or a business application—is an executable file. There are several steps to creating an executable file from Cþþ source code (a collection of instructions in the Cþþ language). The process is illustrated in Figure 1.1.
1. First, the programmer uses an editor to write the Cþþ source code, a file that usually has the extension .cpp. The editor is like a word
processor for programs; it allows a programmer to create, edit, and save source code.
2. After the programmer saves a source file, he or she invokes a Cþþ compiler—an application that reads source code and translates it into an object file. Object files usually have the extension .obj.
3. Next, a linker links the object file to any external files as necessary, and then creates the executable file, which generally ends with the extension
Introducing Cþþ 3
.exe. At this point, a user (or gamer) can run the program by launching the executable file.
Figure 1.1
The creation of an executable file from Cþþ source code.
Hin t
The process I’ve described is the simple case. Creating a complex application in Cþþ often involves multiple source code files written by a programmer (or even a team of programmers).
To help automate this process, it’s common for a programmer to use an all-in- one tool for development, called an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). An IDE typically combines an editor, a compiler, and a linker, along with other
4 Chapter 1 n Types, Variables, and Standard I/O: Lost Fortune
tools. A popular (and free) IDE for Windows is Microsoft’s Visual Cþþ Express Edition. You can find out more about this IDE (and download a copy) at http:// www.microsoft.com/express/.