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It can be added through Tools->Customize->Commands->Add Commands. It's under Build.

enter image description here

Since I added it to toolbar it's been disabled. Shortcut is Ctrl+F7. No documentation at all. What is it there for? What does it differ from Build?

Jude
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1 Answers1

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It is the C++ compiler:

In a C++ project it will be enabled and it will compile you project:

Here is an image of the option in a standard C++ console application, it is there by default:

A C++ console application

For more info about compiling or the build steps in a typical C++ environment, see: How does the compilation/linking process work?

Stefan
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  • OK, clear. Just wondering. Why would you compile instead of build? Any different output? – Jude May 25 '17 at 18:35
  • @Jude You need to read the linked documentation if you're unfamiliar (which you probably are) with how C++ compilation / linking works. – xxbbcc May 25 '17 at 18:49
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    @Jude: Yes, the output of the compiler is different then the one of the linker. The output of the linker is a full blown "runable" thing (depending on the target platform) while the compiler's output is just some raw machine code. Since linking can be a heavy process, sometimes it is faster to just "compile" and not to perform a full build, including the linking. – Stefan May 25 '17 at 18:49