Exploring compilation flags and options
Controlling the compiler allows us to decide how the build works, and to make decisions about the output and compilation flow. All of the Visual Studio flavors have options to do advanced compilations. This ranges from adding conditional compilation symbols and constants all the way to setting target platforms that overrides default compilation options.
Visual Studio 2019 for Windows
In Visual Studio 2019, we can set compilation properties in the Build tab of the Project Designer (navigate to View | Property Pages, or right-click on the project and select Properties). The following screenshot shows the part of the Build tab in Property Pages and some associated compile options:
Figure 7.4 – The Visual Studio Build tab
Advanced compilation in Visual Basic.NET
In Visual Basic, the compilation settings are contained in the Compile page of the Project Designer. Pre- and post-build events can also be set on...
