Visual C++ 2008 'Release' build contains debug information

Question

I\'ve noticed that when generating a new C++ project using MS Visual Studio 2008, the Release build contains debugging symbols - specifically the following

Answer 1

They're turned on by default because:

1. If you don't create them now, you can't create them later.
2. You need them.

Enabling debug info in Visual C++ causes a small entry to be added to the binary header, identifying the PDB for this binary. It's too small to be of any size concern, and doesn't contain any useful secrets that you might be concerned about sharing.

(The header entry is labeled RSDS: who can guess why?)

Of course, those PDBs will use more disk space on your build machine / in your backups. Deal with it. You need those PDBs when it comes time to debug something.