### Compile with Response Files

A response file is a text file that contains a string of options and filenames to be passed to the compiler. The file can have any valid filename and extension. To use the response file, specify it on the icc command line preceded by the @ character. For example:

        icc  @d:\response.fil

The string in the response file does not specify the icc command itself. For example, a response file that contains the single line:

       /Sa /Fl catherine.c

would give the following command line:

        icc  /Sa /Fl catherine.c

Response File Rules

- No space can appear between the @ character and the filename.
- You can use multiple response files.
- You can call another response file from within a response file.
- You can mix response files with other input on the command line.
- Options specified on the command line (including options specified in response files) take precedence over options specified in the ICC environment variable.
- The command string in a response file can span multiple lines. No continuation character is required.

> The string can also be longer than the limit imposed by the operating system command line.

In some situations you may need to use a response file to accommodate a long command line, such as when you compile C++ code containing templates.

The compiler appends a space to the end of each line in the response file. Be careful where you end a line. If you end a line in the middle of an option or filename, the compiler may not interpret the file as you intended. For example, given the following response file:

       /Sa /F

       l catherine.c

the compiler would construct the command line:

       icc /Sa /F l catherine.c

The compiler would then generate an error that the /F option is not valid, and would try to compile and link the files l.obj and catherine.c.

Start the Compiler