Knowledge Base

FIX: Comma Acts Like CR/LF in Custom Build Options

Article ID: 138947

Article Last Modified on 12/1/2003

Microsoft Visual C++ 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Visual C++ 4.1 Subscription
Microsoft Visual C++ 4.2 Professional Edition
Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation 32

This article was previously published under Q138947

SYMPTOMS

A comma used in the command line of the custom build options will be treated as a CR/LF unless the string containing the comma is enclosed in double quotation marks.

CAUSE

Commas are used as delimiters internally.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This bug was corrected in Visual C++ version 5.0.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Demonstrate Problem

Create or open a project.
Create a file that has an extension, such as Comma.p, that does not have built-in build rules. The content doesn't matter. Add this file to the project.
In build settings, select Comma.p, and click the Custom Build tab.

Put the following on the command line:

   cl -c -Tccomma.p -DCOMMA=',' -Dwhatever

Make Comma.obj the output file, and then click OK.
Return to the Build Settings dialog box, and notice that the custom build options have split into two lines:
```
   cl -c -Tccomma.p -DCOMMA='
   ' -Dwhatever
```

Replace the command with:

   cl -c -Tccomma.p -DCOMMA="','" -Dwhatever

Click OK, and then return to the Build Settings dialog box. The custom build options are now correct.

Additional query words: kbVC400bug utilities

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbide kbvc500fix KB138947