/INCREMENTAL

Syntax:

/INCREMENTAL:{YES|NO}

Controls how the linker handles incremental linking. By default, the linker runs in incremental mode (for exceptions, see the /[no]traceback compiler option).

To prevent incremental linking, clear the Link Incrementally check box in the Customize category (or specify /INCREMENTAL:NO on the command line).

To link incrementally, set the Link Incrementally check box (or specify /INCREMENTAL:YES on the command line). When you specify this option, the linker issues a warning if it cannot link incrementally and then links the program nonincrementally. Certain options and situations override /INCREMENTAL:YES.

Most programs can be linked incrementally. However, some changes are too great, and some options are incompatible with incremental linking. LINK performs a full link if any of the following options are specified:

• Link Incrementally is turned off (/INCREMENTAL:NO)
• COFF Format (/DEBUGTYPE:COFF)
• Both Formats (/DEBUGTYPE:BOTH)
• /OPT:REF is selected.
• /OPT:ICF is selected.
• /ORDER is selected.
• Use Program Database is not selected (/PDB:NONE) when Generate Debug Info (/DEBUG) is selected.

Additionally, LINK performs a full link if any of the following occur:

• The incremental status (.ILK) file is missing. (LINK creates a new .ILK file in preparation for subsequent incremental linking.)
• There is no write permission for the .ILK file. (LINK ignores the .ILK file and links nonincrementally.)
• The .EXE or .DLL output file is missing.
• The timestamp of the .ILK, .EXE, or .DLL is changed.
• A LINK option is changed. Most LINK options, when changed between builds, cause a full link.
• An object (.OBJ) file is added or omitted.
• An object that was compiled with the /Yu /Z7 option is changed.

To select this option in the visual development environment, select the Link Incrementally check box in the Customize category of the Link tab in the Project Settings dialog box.