# B

Specifies a directory that can be used to find include files, libraries, and executables.

## Syntax

Linux: | -B dir

macOS: | -B dir

Windows: | None

## Arguments

dir | Is the directory to be used. If necessary, the compiler adds a directory separator character at the end of dir.

## Default

OFF | The compiler looks for files in the directories specified in your PATH environment variable.

## Description

This option specifies a directory that can be used to find include files, libraries, and executables.

The compiler uses dir as a prefix.

For include files, the dir is converted to -I/dir/include. This command is added to the front of the includes passed to the preprocessor.

For libraries, the dir is converted to -L/dir. This command is added to the front of the standard -L inclusions before system libraries are added.

For executables, if dir contains the name of a tool, such as ld or as, the compiler will use it instead of those found in the default directories.

The compiler looks for include files in dir /include while library files are looked for in dir.

On Linux* systems, another way to get the behavior of this option is to use the environment variable GCC_EXEC_PREFIX.

## IDE Equivalent

None

## Alternate Options

None

Parent topic: Preprocessor Options