How to avoid generating pdb files in static library output path in Visual Studio 2022?

Question

How to avoid generating pdb files in static library output path in Visual Studio 2022?

Vishnu Gopalakrishnan 126

If a project having static library output is compiled in Visual Studio 2022, pdb file is generated in static library output path even if different pdb path is given in C/C++->OutputFiles->ProgramDatabaseFileName.
But when the project is compiled in Visual Sudio 2017, pdb file is not generated in output directory, it is created in the path specified in C/C++->OutputFiles->ProgramDatabaseFileName only.
How to avoid generating pdb files in output directory in Visual Studio 2022,even when the path set in C/C++->OutputFiles->ProgramDatabaseFileName is diferent.
Debug Information format : /Zi
Output Configuration : Static Library (.lib)
Also tried to suppress copy by adding <CopyOutputSymbolsToOutputDirectory>false</CopyOutputSymbolsToOutputDirectory> to the vcxproj file. But wasn't effective, pdb was still generated in output directory.
Any solution for this? Please help.

Thanks in advance.

Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-02-02T09:03:28.357+00:00

Hi @Vishnu Gopalakrishnan , welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

No matter how to define the Program Database File Name, MSBuild will compare the path and copy the generated .pdb file to the $(OutDir) directory. I didn’t find any settings to change this behavior currently, but you should be able to remove the copied .pdb file and leave the correct generated .pdb file in your customized directory. You can try to add a post-build event from Build Events > Post-Build Event > Command Line > for example del [path\*.pdb].
Vishnu Gopalakrishnan 126 Reputation points

2022-02-02T09:43:21.573+00:00

Thank you. Currently, post-build event setting is not possible in the project. Please suggest if any other option is available.
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-02-02T09:48:13.927+00:00
Then, is it possible for you to directly edit vcxproj file? Add like:

<PostBuildEvent> <Command>del [path\*.pdb]</Command> </PostBuildEvent>
Vishnu Gopalakrishnan 126 Reputation points

2022-02-02T10:40:28.707+00:00

Deleting pdb in post-build event is not allowed in our project.
In Visual Studio 2017, pdb is not generated in output directory, but in Visual Studio 2022 it generated in output directory. Why is this difference?

1 answer

Your answer

Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-02-02T09:03:28.357+00:00

Hi @Vishnu Gopalakrishnan , welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

No matter how to define the Program Database File Name, MSBuild will compare the path and copy the generated .pdb file to the $(OutDir) directory. I didn’t find any settings to change this behavior currently, but you should be able to remove the copied .pdb file and leave the correct generated .pdb file in your customized directory. You can try to add a post-build event from Build Events > Post-Build Event > Command Line > for example del [path\*.pdb].
Vishnu Gopalakrishnan 126 Reputation points

2022-02-02T09:43:21.573+00:00

Thank you. Currently, post-build event setting is not possible in the project. Please suggest if any other option is available.
Tianyu Sun-MSFT 34,436 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-02-02T09:48:13.927+00:00

Then, is it possible for you to directly edit vcxproj file? Add like:

<PostBuildEvent> <Command>del [path\*.pdb]</Command> </PostBuildEvent>
Vishnu Gopalakrishnan 126 Reputation points

2022-02-02T10:40:28.707+00:00

Deleting pdb in post-build event is not allowed in our project.
In Visual Studio 2017, pdb is not generated in output directory, but in Visual Studio 2022 it generated in output directory. Why is this difference?

Answer 1

Hi @Vishnu Gopalakrishnan ,

Probably, there are some changes in VS 2022 for this feature. I have found another workaround which may be helpful = > try to modify the Property Page > Configuration Properties > General > Output Directory.(Don't forget to change the Program Database File Name option too)

Based on my test, if you set this directory to the directory that you’d like to move the generated .pdb file to, then the .pdf file will not be generated in output directory and will be generated to the specific folder.

BTW, before testing, I suggest you remove the generated .pdf file, in the output directory, and then test again.

Best Regards,
Tianyu

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How to avoid generating pdb files in static library output path in Visual Studio 2022?

1 answer

Your answer