compiler-controlled-link-options.md

description	Learn more about: Compiler-Controlled LINK Options
title	Compiler-Controlled LINK Options
ms.date	11/04/2016
helpviewer_keywords	LINK tool [C++], compiler-controlled options linker [C++], CL compiler control linking [C++], affected by CL features cl.exe compiler [C++], features that affect linking cl.exe compiler [C++], controlling linker
ms.assetid	e4c03896-c99c-4599-8502-e0f4bebe69d0

Compiler-Controlled LINK Options

The CL compiler automatically calls LINK unless you specify the /c option. CL provides some control over the linker through command-line options and arguments. The following table summarizes the features in CL that affect linking.

CL specification	CL action that affects LINK
Any file name extension other than .c, .cxx, .cpp, or .def	Passes a file name as input to LINK
filename.def	Passes /DEF:filename.def
/Fnumber	Passes /STACK:number
/Fdfilename	Passes /PDB:filename
/Fefilename	Passes /OUT:filename
/Fmfilename	Passes /MAP:filename
/Gy	Creates packaged functions (COMDATs); enables function-level linking
/LD	Passes /DLL
/LDd	Passes /DLL
/link	Passes remainder of command line to LINK
/MD or /MT	Places a default library name in the .obj file
/MDd or /MTd	Places a default library name in the .obj file. Defines the symbol _DEBUG
/nologo	Passes /NOLOGO
/Zd	Passes /DEBUG
/Zi or /Z7	Passes /DEBUG
/Zl	Omits default library name from .obj file

For more information, see MSVC Compiler Options.

See also

MSVC linker reference
MSVC Linker Options