BUG: Spaces Preceding Header File Name Generate Build Errors (121346)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual C++ 1.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 1.5
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 1.51
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2.1
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 4.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 4.1
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 5.0
This article was previously published under Q121346

SYMPTOMS

The following dependency scan errors and/or compiler C1083 errors are generated when you attempt to scan dependencies or compile a header file that contains an #include directive with leading spaces in the file name:

  • Scanning dependencies on a header file included in your source file may generate the following error if the header file name contains leading spaces:
    Could not find the file FILENAME.EXT
    Here " FILENAME.EXT" is the name of the included header file.
  • Attempting to compile a source file that includes a header file with leading spaces in the file name generates this compiler error:
    Fatal error C1083: Cannot open include file: ' FILENAME.EXT' : No such file or directory
    Here " FILENAME.EXT" is the name of the included header file.

RESOLUTION

Delete the space(s) preceding the filename in the #include directive.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

In the 32-bit versions of windows, spaces are valid characters in the file names. This is by design in the 32-bit versions of Visual C++.

MORE INFORMATION

To reproduce this error, create a text file called TEST.H and include this file in your source file with this statement: 
   #Include " TEST.H"  // Note the space between quotation mark (") and    TEST.H
Attempting to scan dependencies or compile this file, generates the listed errors. Trailing spaces in the included filename are ignored and do not cause errors.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/1/2003
Keywords:kbBug kbCompiler kbide kbpending KB121346
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