How do YOU reduce compile time, and linking time for Visual C++ projects (native C++)?

Question

How do YOU reduce compile time, and linking time for VC++ projects (native C++)?

Please specify if each suggestion applies to debug, release, or both.

Answer 1

It may sound obvious to you, but we try to use forward declarations as much as possible, even if it requires to write out long namespace names the type(s) is/are in:

// Forward declaration stuff namespace plotter { namespace logic { class Plotter; } }  // Real stuff namespace plotter {     namespace samples {         class Window {             logic::Plotter * mPlotter;             // ...         };     } } 

It greatly reduces the time for compiling also on others compilers. Indeed it applies to all configurations :)

Answer 2

Use the Handle/Body pattern (also sometimes known as "pimpl", "adapter", "decorator", "bridge" or "wrapper"). By isolating the implementation of your classes into your .cpp files, they need only be compiled once. Most changes do not require changes to the header file so it means you can make fairly extensive changes while only requiring one file to be recompiled. This also encourages refactoring and writing of comments and unit tests since compile time is decreased. Additionally, you automatically separate the concerns of interface and implementation so the interface of your code is simplified.