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Asked: 2026-05-17T01:46:19+00:00

I am getting confused as to what is the difference between the compiler and

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I am getting confused as to what is the difference between the compiler and linker PDB files respectively (i.e. in Visual Studio, Project Properties > C/C++ > Output Files > Program Database File Name vs Project Properties > Linker > Debugging). I have tried to find the answer online and so far I know (may be wrong) that a PDB file by the compiler is generated for obj files while the PDB file by the linker is generated for the binary (exe or dll) and is the one used for debugging.

If that is not true, please explain the difference. Either way, what to do when I am creating a DLL where I have the option to select the output PDB file for the compiler as well as the linker and what to do when I am creating a LIB file where only the compiler generates the PDB files as there is no linking performed.

Background: The libraries/dlls are used by several projects, which then need the PDB files for debugging. In the case of a lib file, there is no ambiguity as there is only one PDB file generated. But in the case of a DLL however, do I need both the PDB files to properly debug or just the one generated by the linker?

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    I honestly don’t know what exactly the .pdb file generated by the compile step is used for – I assume that it’s some intermediate information the gets pulled into the final .pdb file by the linker.

    However, the bottom line is that for debugging purposes all you need is the .pdb file that is produced by the linker.

    Update: A little digging netted this from http://blogs.msdn.com/b/yash/archive/2007/10/12/pdb-files-what-are-they-and-how-to-generate-them.aspx:

    What are the two types of .PDB files?

    ==============================

    There are two types of PDB files. One
    generated by the compiler named as
    VCx0.PDB(e.g. vc80.pdb), and another
    the .PDB.

    The VCx0.PDB file is generated by the
    compiler and it is related to the .OBJ
    file. It contains the type information
    only.

    The .PDB files are
    generated by the linker and it is
    related with the target executable or
    the DLL. This file contains the
    complete debug info. When we are
    debugging, we need this ‘.pdb’ file
    for aligning to the symbols. The
    timestamp of the target file and the
    PDB should match.

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