C++ cannot open source file

Question

In C++ with Visual studio 2017,

I copied some header files into my project folder, then added them under the "solution explorer" in c++. Now when I write

#include "name.h"

it prints an error under include, and says "cannot open source file".

Why, and what can I potentially do to fix it?

I only just downloaded VS and am learning c++ for the first time.

Answer 1

If you're using Visual studio, right click on the project and then on Properties, Under Configuration Properties click on C\C++ and then add the directory to your header files under the Additional Include Directories section.

Answer 2

There is more information here on how to deal with this problem: Where does Visual Studio look for C++ header files?

For me, I followed xflowXen's answer and then at "Include Directories" typed in the specific pathname where my header file was located followed by a semicolon, something like: C:\Users\name\source\repos\p2-A\p2-A; then applied the changes and the issue went away.

Answer 3

For anyone still scratching their heads, you're not "supposed to" #include your own headerfiles with triangle quotes (<>), You're supposed to use "Quotation marks". It is a common mistake.