Including header file locations with multiple subdirectories

Question

I'm not an expert and I do coding mainly for fun every now and then, so please don't laugh if this question is stupid (I know it is), but I simply don't understand how includes work.

I have about 8 directories where my header files are located, also each of these 'root' directories have at least 10 subdirectories with additional header files and so on. (these are system headers and my own)

Do I have to head my compiler to every single sub directory or is it just enough to specify a 'root' directory using '-I' compiler option (or trough PATH environment variable) ?

I'm confused wether to include all 50+ possible paths combinations to header files ^^ it just seems not logical.

IMHO it would be good style to specify only the path to the 'root directories' with the -I option and to specify subpathes from there relative in the #include statement: #include "root/sub/myheader.h" — πάντα ῥεῖ
– πάντα ῥεῖ, Commented Jun 30, 2014 at 10:10

Paul Evans · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-30 10:16:42Z

1

If you just -I the root directory, then your #include will have to be something like:

#include "subdir1/anincludefile.h"

answered Jun 30, 2014 at 10:16

Paul Evans

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2 Comments

codekiddy Over a year ago

That seems logical from programmers perspective, but how does other libraries such as GTK, system headers or boost lib's find them selfs then? if only root is specified?

πάντα ῥεῖ Over a year ago

@codekiddy 'but how does ... boost lib's find them selfs then?' They do the same.

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