Intel® C++ Compiler for Windows* - Distributed compilation with IncrediBuild* and Intel® C++ Compiler on Windows*

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Last Modified On :   October 3, 2008 11:43 AM PDT
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IncrediBuild* is a development tool that significantly boosts the compilation speed of both Visual C++* Compiler and Intel® C++ Compiler. IncrediBuild splits C++ project compilations into smaller tasks that could be executed simultaneously.

These are then distributed across available machines in an organization network, thus effectively reducing compilation time to a fraction of its original duration.

  • For Intel C++ Compiler 11.1, IncrediBuild v3.5 beta (released on 11/24/09) or newer supports it.
  • For Intel C++ Compiler 11.0, IncrediBuild v3.32 Release Candidate or newer supports it.
  • For Intel C++ Compiler 10.x, IncrediBuild version 3.10 or newer supports it.
  • For Intel C++ Compiler 9.1, you should use IncrediBuild version 2.60 or newer. You need to install the Intel C++ Compiler 9.1 for Windows* package w_cc_c_9.1.030 or newer 9.1 updates in order to get best compilation speed boost.

IncrediBuild supports the Intel C++ Compiler through Visual C++ 6.0, Visual C++ .NET* 2003 and Visual C++ 2005.

To build the project with Intel® C++ Compiler for Windows* and IncrediBuild, simply follow the steps below:

  • Install Visual C++* .NET 2003 Standard or above, Visual C++* 2005 or 2008 Standard or above, or Visual C++* 6.0 Professional or above.
  • Install IncrediBuild, the Intel C++ Compiler for Windows and the Intel C++ Compiler Integrations in Microsoft Visual Studio*. IncrediBuild can be either installed before or after the Intel C++ Compiler.
  • Based on the version of Visual C++ you're using, refer to the steps below.

To use the IncrediBuild and the Intel C++ Compiler within Visual C++ .NET 2003 IDE, Visual C++ 2005 or 2008 IDE, follow these steps:

  • Open Visual C++, create a new project or open an existing project/solution.
  • Right-click on the project name in the Solution Explorer and select Convert to use Intel C++ Project System.
  • Right-click the project name again, select IncrediBuild » Rebuild Project.

To use the IncrediBuild and the Intel C++ Compiler within Visual C++ 6.0 IDE, follow these steps:

  • Open Visual C++ 6.0, create a new project or open an existing project/solution.
  • Open "Selection Tool" from menu Tools » Intel(R) C++ Compiler Selection Tool, check the check-box beside Intel(R) C++ Compiler inside the IA-32 Compiler Selection, and click OK.
  • Select menu item IncrediBuild » Build Project.

Command Line Support
IncrediBuild does not support distributed build through makefile at this time, but the command line interface BuildConsole.exe can build a single Visual C++ project or the Visual C++ solution from a command window. This does not recognize .icproj created by Intel C++ Project System, however this functionality will be coming soon .

Examples on building a project or solution from command line:

  1. A full solution rebuild of the "Debug|Win32" solution configuration:
    • BuildConsole.exe MyTest.sln /rebuild /cfg="debug|win32"
  2. An incremental build of the project "MyProject" in the "debug|win32" configuration:
    • BuildConsole.exe MyTest.sln /build /prj="Proj1" /cfg="debug|win32"

Known Issues

  1. On an Intel(R) 64 system the Intel C++ Compiler for Windows 11.0 setup program will install the native Intel-64 compiler. This causes an issue when building your program with IncrediBuild because IncrediBuild does not support native compiler at the moment.

The work around is to replace the native compiler with the cross-compiler from an IA-32 system.

The detail steps are:
1. install the Intel C++ Compiler 11.x on an IA32 system that has Visual Studio 2005* or 2008* std or above installed: this means the cross-x64 compiler will be installed on the system at "C:\Program Files\Intel\Compiler\11.0\xxx\cpp\bin\IA32_Intel64".
2. install the Intel C++ Compiler 11.x on x64 system that has Visual Studio 2005* or 2008* std or above installed. This will install the native-x64 compiler at "C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Compiler\11.0\xxx\cpp\bin\Intel64".
3. copy/paste the files/folder at "C:\Program Files\Intel\Compiler\11.0\xxx\cpp\bin\IA32_Intel64" on IA32 system to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Compiler\11.0\xxx\cpp\bin\Intel64" on x64 system.


More information about the IncrediBuild* can be found at http://www.xoreax.com/features_main.htm† .

† This link will take you off of the Intel Web site. Intel does not control the content of the destination Web Site.




This article applies to: Intel® C++ Compiler for Windows* Knowledge Base