Why does my window program work when I remove every reference to gdiplus?

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A snippet of my code is shown below:

C++

#include "framework.h"
#include "myApp.h"
#include <gdiplus.h>

using namespace Gdiplus;
//#pragma comment (lib,"Gdiplus.lib")

//Some normal declarations go here
int APIENTRY wWinMain(_In_ HINSTANCE hInstance,
                     _In_opt_ HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
                     _In_ LPWSTR    lpCmdLine,
                     _In_ int       nCmdShow)
{
    UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(hPrevInstance);
    UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(lpCmdLine);

    // TODO: Place code here.
    GdiplusStartupInput gdiplusStartupInput;
    ULONG_PTR gdiplusToken;
    GdiplusStartup(&gdiplusToken, &gdiplusStartupInput, NULL);

    //Some  normal windows code goes here

    GdiplusShutdown(gdiplusToken);

    return (int) msg.wParam;
}

When I comment out everything that has to do with gdiplus, it compiles, but when I don't, it wont't compile. Even after some Googling, I added the #pragma comment like, yet it will not compile until I comment it out. Why is it so?

What I have tried:

I have spent extended time Googling for a solution. It seems there is no relevant one online, not even on Stack Overflow.

Posted 18-Oct-23 23:15pm

Gbenbam

Updated 20-Oct-23 13:44pm

v3

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Richard MacCutchan 19-Oct-23 5:32am

What do you mean by "it wont"? Please explain clearly what happens when you build or run this program.

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:21pm

it would give the folowing error messages:

Severity Code Description Project File Line Suppression State
Error (active) E0020 identifier "REAL" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbrush.h 270
Error (active) E0169 expected a declaration ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplus.h 82
Error (active) E0020 identifier "IStream" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 50
Error (active) E0020 identifier "IStream" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 85
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 124
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 137
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 150
Error (active) E0020 identifier "IStream" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 152
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 163
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 172
Error (active) E0020 identifier "ImageType" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 188
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 198
Error (active) E0020 identifier "SizeF" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 200
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 220
Error (active) E0020 identifier "RectF" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 222
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Unit" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 223
Error (active) E0020 identifier "REAL" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 250
Error (active) E0020 identifier "REAL" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 260
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 280
Error (active) E0020 identifier "PixelFormat" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 286
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 306
Error (active) E0020 identifier "ColorPalette" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 308
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 315
Error (active) E0020 identifier "ColorPalette" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 317
Error (active) E0020 identifier "GetThumbnailImageAbort" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 327
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Inc

Richard MacCutchan 21-Oct-23 4:33am

If I compile the above code and replace your local includes with #include <windows.h> it compiles without errors. So what exactly are you compiling when you get those errors? And if it really is the code you have shown above, then you need to also show what is in the two header files that you are including.

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:23pm

By it won,t work? I meant it wont compile successfully.

Richard MacCutchan 21-Oct-23 4:34am

Well you need to be clear in your question, we cannot guess what you might mean.

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:46pm

Please, note that none of these errors have anything to do with my code. The are all from gdipus.

Maxim Kartavenkov 21-Oct-23 2:22am

If you don't include gdiplus.h file directly then in VS Open project properties -> C/C++ ->Advanced -> Show Includes - this way during build you will see in output the sequence of included headers so you can figure out who request the gdiplus things

4 solutions

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This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

CPallini · Answer 1 · 2023-10-18T23:49:00

Solution 1

What do you mean, exactly, with "when I comment out everything that has to do with gdiplus, it works, but when I don't it wont't"?
Do you get a compilation error (if so, you should post here the exact error message, in order to get better help)?
I've just copied the MSDN GDI+ minimalist example from this page: Drawing a Line - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn[^] and 'it worked' like a charm (I am using Visual Studio 2022).

Posted 18-Oct-23 23:49pm

CPallini

Comments

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:24pm

Yes, I get compiltion errors:

Severity Code Description Project File Line Suppression State
Error (active) E0020 identifier "REAL" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbrush.h 270
Error (active) E0169 expected a declaration ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplus.h 82
Error (active) E0020 identifier "IStream" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 50
Error (active) E0020 identifier "IStream" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 85
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 124
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 137
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 150
Error (active) E0020 identifier "IStream" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 152
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 163
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 172
Error (active) E0020 identifier "ImageType" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 188
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 198
Error (active) E0020 identifier "SizeF" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 200
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 220
Error (active) E0020 identifier "RectF" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 222
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Unit" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 223
Error (active) E0020 identifier "REAL" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 250
Error (active) E0020 identifier "REAL" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 260
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 280
Error (active) E0020 identifier "PixelFormat" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 286
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 306
Error (active) E0020 identifier "ColorPalette" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 308
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 315
Error (active) E0020 identifier "ColorPalette" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 317
Error (active) E0020 identifier "GetThumbnailImageAbort" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.22621.0\um\gdiplusbitmap.h 327
Error (active) E0020 identifier "Status" is undefined ResultSheets C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Include\10.0.226

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:46pm

Please, note that none of these errors have anything to do with my code. The are all from gdipus.

OriginalGriff · Answer 2 · 2023-10-18T23:50:00

If you take out everything from your app that relates to Gdi+, what you are left with is this:

C++

#include "framework.h"
#include "myApp.h"
int APIENTRY wWinMain(_In_ HINSTANCE hInstance,
                     _In_opt_ HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
                     _In_ LPWSTR    lpCmdLine,
                     _In_ int       nCmdShow)
{
    UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(hPrevInstance);
    UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(lpCmdLine);
    return (int) msg.wParam;
}

Which does ... nothing, pretty much.

At a guess, when you put the GDI stuff back in, you get compilation errors, so start here: Using GDI+ - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn[^]

Maxim Kartavenkov · Answer 3 · 2023-10-19T00:21:00

Solution 3

The code you are showing uses the Gdiplus functions: GdiplusStartup and GdiplusShutdown so if you are building application without problem then you still referencing gdiplus library somewhere.
You can check the linker parameters of your project or makefile it can reference the library in there.
But it is possible that 3rd party libraries, which you are using linked with the gdiplus and reference it.
Even if the library referenced for the linking you may remove all functions which uses that library from your code and the library will not be linked. Easy way for removing all references just comment #include <gdiplus.h> and resolve building errors, by commenting code or setting up different implementation.
To be sure that you application does not linked with the specified library you can use dependency walker tool. Just load your application in there and check for dependencies.

Regards,
Maxim

Posted 19-Oct-23 0:21am

Maxim Kartavenkov

Comments

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:50pm

I think the application does not compile becuase it did not link with neither gdiplus.lib or gdiplus.dll or both.
I don't remember how to do that in visual stidio. My guese is that part of it is what the #pragma comment is supposed to stop.

Maxim Kartavenkov 21-Oct-23 2:17am

Yes you can set it with linker option: with project properties: Linker -> Input -> Ignore Specific Default Libraries or with #pragma comment( lib, "/nodefaultlib:<name>")

[no name] 18-Jun-24 3:40am

Maxim's comment provides guidance on troubleshooting potential dependencies on the Gdiplus library in your project, suggesting steps to check linker parameters, remove library references, and use tools like Dependency Walker for verification.
geometry dash

[no name] 18-Jul-24 3:39am

Maxim's comment offers advice on identifying and resolving any dependencies on the Gdiplus library within your project. He suggests examining hill climb racing linker parameters, removing any references to the library, and utilizing tools like Dependency Walker to verify the absence of these dependencies.

Rick York · Answer 4 · 2023-10-19T05:01:00

Solution 4

I use GDI+ extensively without any problems. Maybe you should have a look at some sample programs to see if there is something you are missing. Here is one article at this site : Starting with GDI+[^], and there a number of others here.

Posted 19-Oct-23 5:01am

Rick York

Comments

Gbenbam 20-Oct-23 19:52pm

I am not new to using Gdiplus. I stopped programming for years. I just resumed this month. I think the application does not compile becuase it did not link with neither gdiplus.lib or gdiplus.dll or both.
I don't remember how to do that in visual stidio. My guese is that part of it is what the #pragma comment is supposed to stop.

Why does my window program work when I remove every reference to gdiplus?

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Why does my window program work when I remove every reference to gdiplus?

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