Microsoft P-Code

Microsoft's P-Code, short for packed code, is an intermediate language that provides an alternate binary format to native code for any compiled binary (e.g.: DLLs, ActiveX controls, or Applications). Its primary goal is to produce smaller files. P-Code binaries require an additional runtime library to execute. Both the 16-bit Visual C++ and Visual Basic compilers support P-Code.

Using P-Code in Visual Basic

(Version 6) Open the project; open the Project Properties dialog; click on the Compile tab; click the option button Compile to P-Code.

Using P-Code in Visual C++

To turn on use of P-Code, use the Pragma directive, i.e.:

 //Turn P-Code on
 #pragma optimize("q", on)

 //Turn P-Code off
 #pragma optimize("q", off)

This feature is only supported in 16-bit version of Visual C++, however.

See also

• p-code machine (Pascal)