Adding an include path to the parent directory in GCC

Question

I'm wanting to include files from the parent directory in a project I am working on. All of the header files are in the parent directory, is there any way of using -I on the commandline to search for includes in the parent directory without using an absolute path?

I know I can solve these issues using a makefile and I will probably end up doing this, but I'd like to know if there is a quick commandline trick I can use as this situation pops up a lot when I am making quick prototype code.

Currently I am trying to compile using:

g++ -Wall -I../ simple.cpp

but this seems to not work properly. Will I also need to change the includes in simple.cpp from #include include_file.hpp to #include ../include_file.hpp ?

You are doing the right thing. Why do you say it doesn't work properly? — trojanfoe
– trojanfoe, Commented Mar 30, 2011 at 7:12
You don't need the trailing /, but otherwise this should work OK: g++ -Wall -I.. simple.cpp — Paul R
– Paul R, Commented Mar 30, 2011 at 7:13
@trojanfoe, the compiler is not finding the .hpp files and give a No such file or directory error. — shuttle87
– shuttle87, Commented Mar 30, 2011 at 7:26
The path -I.. would be from the directory you start g++ from. Will that always be the right one? Think nested make files? — Bo Persson
– Bo Persson, Commented Mar 30, 2011 at 7:41

maverik · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-30 07:43:22Z

3

Hmm...

g++ -Wall -I.. simple.cpp

and

// Somewhere in simple.cpp
#include <include_file.hpp>

should work.

answered Mar 30, 2011 at 7:43

maverik

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