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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-19T01:30:22+00:00

Here’s the problem: In order to #import the correct version of ADO for my

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Here’s the problem:

In order to #import the correct version of ADO for my 32-bit program, I need to know whether I’m compiling on a 32-bit Windows OS (meaning the file is in Program Files) or a 64-bit OS (meaning the file is in Program Files (x86)). But I can’t find a macro that tells me this, or even a macro that tells me that the processor is 64-bit.

When I test it on 64-bit windows 7 running Visual Studio 2008 Express, the following pertinent macros are defined:

_M_IX86
X86

But none of the *64 macros appear to be defined, which I suppose would be the case if they are referring to /target/ architectures and not the current machine’s architecture.

Is there a preprocessor macro that will tell me whether I am running a 64-bit Windows OS?

And if so, what is it? I’d even settle for one that will tell me whether I’m using a 64-bit processor.

(p.s. I am already aware of this list)

Update

So far, people seem to think that there is no such macro, and copying the DLLs or using environment variables is a better thing to do.

So taking the environment variable hint, I have worked around the problem for developers by putting both folders — Program Files (x86) and Program Files — on the include path and using the angle-bracket syntax of #import. However, I suspect that I will need to build release versions for each version of the OS because the ADO DLLs are now part of the OS and are not redistributable. Looking into that.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    I’m not aware of a macro, but you can use the environment variable PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE. Note you can access environment variables from visual studio settings dialog boxes by using the $(PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE) notation.

    Also, a workaround for your case would be to define an environment variable such as ADO_LIB_DIR, set it to the correct program files directory, and then import the lib or add an include directory with a notation that uses the $(ADO_LIB_DIR) variable. This way all you will have to do when you compile on a new machine is to set the environment variable.

    Update: I see there are also $(ProgramFiles) and $(ProgramFiles(x86)) environment variables, so your best bet is probably to use them.

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