Which is the standard way of compiling multiple file?

Question

Please assume that I don't want to create library file

Lets say,
I have 2 files main.cpp and function.cpp. I have 2 methods to compile both the file?

1st) while compiling just include both files,

   g++ main.cpp function.cpp

2nd) In main.cpp file i can include function.cpp

#include "function.cpp"

As far as I know while compiling using 2nd method it will take more time, other than that any advantage/disadvantage?
Also what if i have more files lets say i have 500+ files, all are linked with each other, then which method will be preferable?
In this case if I go with 1st method then I will have to provide 500+ file names in my makefile?

Can anybody help?

Answer 1

I hope I got your problem correctly
In big solutions say you have the 100+ .c/.cpp files the correct steps to compile them should be
1. Create .o file for each C/CPP file (include the header file in the C file as per logic, inclusion is a preprocessor command which is essentially a replace before compilation so you should never include .C/.CPP file in another), this should be done for the .c/.cpp file which has main function also.
2. Once all .o's are created then create the executable using ar or gcc itself.

Most likely the above steps should be done using a Makefile so that future addition or deletion or different compilation option is easy.

Comments

Suppose i have 100+ files than i will have to include each and every files in Makefile right?

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Yes its the way, its to be done once. Including .c in another is not the correct way suppose you have same static function defined in multi files then u can see errors.

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Ok. Thanks Sir...