VC++ 'Generating Code', what does it mean?

Question

WHen compiling in visual studio the compiler outputs this at what seems to be its own discretion:

1>Generating Code...

what is it doing here exactly?

Answer 1

Visual Studio is invoking the linker LINK.exe it works primarily with object files as input, to produce an executable as output, but also is capable of much other work concerning these and related files. Linker Command-Line Syntax @ MSDN