Formatting the output of a custom build step or build event

If the output of a custom build step or build event is formatted correctly, users get the following benefits:

• Warnings and errors are counted in the Output window.

• Output appears in the Task List window.

• Clicking on the output in the Output window displays the appropriate location.

• F1 operations are enabled in the Task List window or Output window.

Output format

The format of the output should be:

{ filename(line-number [, column-number]) | tool-name } : [ any-text ] {error | warning} code-type-and-number : localizable-string [ any-text ]

Where:

• { a | b } is a choice of either a or b,

• [ item ] is an optional string or parameter,

• text represents a literal.

For example:

C:\sourcefile.cpp(134) : error C2143: syntax error : missing ';' before '}'

LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'some-library.lib'

See also

Understanding custom build steps and build events