SpinCore PulseBlasterDDS-IV-1000 Compilation with Microsoft Visual C++

1 Introduction

This document is designed to walk one through the process of configuring Microsoft Visual C++ to compile C code based on the SpinCore PulseBlasterDDS-IV API. It details the process of adding the proper include and library paths, as well as the required library dependency. Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Express was used for generating the instructions and images. The directions should apply to older or newer versions of Visual C++, with minor differences.

2 Create Project

Open Microsoft Visual C++
Select “File > New > Project...”
Select “Win32 Console Application.”
Specify your project name and location.

Figure 1: New Project Wizard

2.1

Please click “Next” on this page.

Figure 2: Win32 Application Wizard Page 1

2.2

Click the “Console application” radio button.
Select “Empty project” under additional options. An empty project will be used for this guide since the source code is already written, and will be copied to the project directory. You may opt to not create a blank project if you wish to write new code based on the initial files Visual C++ will generate.
Click finish.

Figure 3: Win32 Application Wizard Page 2

3 Configure Project

3.1 Adding Source Files

Copy your source file into the project directory, and select “Project > Add Existing Item...”
Select your source file located in the project directory, and click “Add.” For this example, the “pbddsiv_read_firmware_example.c” example program was used. The figure below shows what your “Solution Explorer” pane should display after adding the file.

Figure 4: Visual C++ Main Window, after source file is added.

3.2 Adding Include Paths

First we will configure Visual C++ so that it will find “ddsivapi.h”.

Go to “Project > Properties”.
In the upper left corner of the “Property Pages.” window, please select “All Configurations” in the “Configuration:” drop-down menu.
In the left pane select “Configuration Properties > C/C++ > General.”
In the main view, add the path where “ddsivapi.h” is located to the “Additional Include Directories” property. In this case it is located in “C:\SpinCore\PBDDSIV\inc”.
Click “Apply.”

Figure 5: Visual C++ Property Pages

3.3 Adding Library Paths

Next we will add the library search path for “pbddsiv.lib”. The Property Pages should still be open from the previous step.

Please navigate to “Configuration Properties > Linker > General” in the left panel.
Now add the path to the library to the “Additional Library Directories” property. In this case, the path was “C:\SpinCore\PBDDSIV\lib”.
Click “Apply.”

Figure 6: Visual C++ Property Pages

3.4 Adding Library Dependency

Now the dependency on “pbddsiv.lib” needs to be added. The Property Pages should still be open.

Navigate to “Configuration Properties > Linker > Input” in the left panel.
For the “Additional Dependencies” attribute, please click once on the field, then select the drop-down arrow and click “<Edit>”, which should bring up the menu shown in the figure below.
Enter the name of the library, which in this case is “pbddsiv.lib”.
Press “OK.”
Press “OK” on the Property Pages window.

Figure 7: Visual C++ Additional Library Dependencies

4 Compilation

Now that the project has been properly configured, to compile the project please go to “Build > Build Solution” or press F7. If you do not want debug data to be compiled into your executable, please select “Release” rather than “Debug” in the “Solution Configurations” drop-down menu on the toolbar.

Figure 8: Visual C++ Compilation Complete

4.1 Common Compilation Issues

The Visual C++ C compiler requires that all variable declarations occur at the beginning of a block. If this convention is not obeyed, Visual C++ will usually give errors about undeclared variables.
Sometimes code that will compile in another compiler (such as GCC) will require additional includes for functions that are implicitly defined (e.g.: “system()” requires “stdlib.h”). This will give a warning at compile time.