What is the difference between “Include Directories” and “Additional Include Directories”

Question

In configuration properties of my project, under the \"VC++ directories\" there is an entry for \"Include Directories\". But under \"C/C++\" option, there is another entry c

Answer 1

CONFIGURING INCLUDE PATHS

VC++ Directories: Include Directories

• this value is inherited from the INCLUDE Windows environment variable which is defined outside of Visual Studio
  • environment variables can be: global to the computer or have user level scope
  • The INCLUDE and LIB environment variables are created when the Microsoft Windows SDK is installed with Visual Studio.

C/C++: Additional Include Directories

• is a project level setting... you will have to define this value for every project in your solution
• this value can be persisted to source control

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Which one should I use?

The decision to use Include Directories or Additional Include Directories will depend on your organization's development process. In my opinion, it is more important:

• that you are able to consistently and reliably re-create the development environment (think: handing off source code to another developer)
• for developers within an organization use a consistent approach

A Note About Macros

• The C++ project configuration macros (not to be confused with C++ pre-processor #define directive) inherit content from different sources. Macros like...
  • $(Include) inherit their values from Windows environment variables
  • $(OutDir) inherit their values from Visual Studio IDE

REFERENCES

• Environment Variables (general introduction)
• How to set the path and environment variables in Windows