# Fd

Lets you specify a name for a program database (PDB) file created by the compiler.

## Syntax

Linux: | None

macOS: | None

Windows: | /Fd[:filename]

## Arguments

filename | Is the name for the PDB file. It can include a path. If you do not specify a file extension, the extension .pdb is used.

## Default

OFF | No PDB file is created unless you specify option /Zi. If you specify option /Zi and /Fd, the default filename is vcx0.pdb, where x represents the version of Visual C++, for example vc100.pdb.

## Description

This option lets you specify a name for a program database (PDB) file that is created by the compiler.

A program database (PDB) file holds debugging and project state information that allows incremental linking of a Debug configuration of your program. A PDB file is created when you build with option /Zi. Option /Fd has no effect unless you specify option /Zi.

## IDE Equivalent

Visual Studio: Output Files > Program Database File Name

Eclipse: None

Xcode: None

## Alternate Options

None

Parent topic: Output, Debug, and Precompiled Header (PCH) Options

## See Also

Zi, Z7, ZI compiler option
pdbfile compiler option