build_with_msvc6

Compile Command & Conquer Zero Hour with VC6

To compile the source code for C&C Generals and Zero Hour, follow the steps outlined below. This process is still in the early stages of development, and ongoing efforts may lead to additional tools being compiled from the source code. The focus here is solely on compiling the main executable, which can then be placed into the game directory and used to start the game with the newly compiled binary.

This process utilizes the original compiler from the game's development era to ensure compatibility. The available source code specifically compiles zerohour.exe.

Intended Audience

This guide is intended for software developers, starting from a beginner level. You should be able to write programs and execute them. Familiarity with command-line interfaces and configuring environment variables when necessary is required.

Even if you do not know C++, you should still be able to compile the source code. However, a basic understanding of how C++ is compiled is necessary. This includes knowing what the compiler and linker do, as well as being able to interpret error messages and troubleshoot them effectively.

Prerequisites

Download the following binary and software and have them ready in a project folder.

• Visual Studio 6.0 Portable Link
• CMake 3.31.6 Link
• Git Link

Installing your build environment

Installation of tools and software that are needed for compilation.

Install Visual Studio 6

• Download the portable Visual Studio 6 as ZIP file from GitHub.
• Extract the contents and put them in the default install folder.
• Installation folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\

Alternatively you can use the VC6 setup from Archive.org

Install CMake

• Run the installer for CMake
• Keep the defaults during setup wizard

Install Git

• Run the git installer
• Keep the defaults during setup wizard

Clone

Clone the code from TheSuperHackers

git clone https://github.com/TheSuperHackers/GeneralsGameCode.git

cd GeneralsGameCode

Compilation

This steps you need to repeat every time after a reboot of your computer.

Option 1: Activate your VS6 Compiler Environment

Execute the setup build environment script. In your cmd type this. (assuming default installation path)

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\Bin\VCVARS32.bat"

Option 2: Manually set your VS6 Compiler Environment

<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>: Where you have put your vs6 installation path. <PROJECT_FOLDER>: Where you have the source code project.

PATH

C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VB98;
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Bin;
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Lib;
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Include;
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\Common\tools;
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\Common\MSDev98\Bin

Environment Variables

set LIB=C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Lib;^
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\MFC\Lib;^
C:\<PPROJECT_FOLDER>\build\vc6

set INCLUDE=C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\ATL\Include;^
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Include;^
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\MFC\Include;^
C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Include

set CC=C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Bin\CL.exe
set CXX=C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98\Bin\CL.exe

set MSVCDir=C:\<VS6_INSTALL_PATH>\VC98

Build the project

Run the following command by the type of build you want to create.

• cmake --workflow --preset vc6 for a release build.
• cmake --workflow --preset vc6dgb for a debug build.
• cmake --workflow --preset vc6int for an internal build.
• cmake --workflow --preset vc6prof for a profile build.

You will find a bunch of files in build\vc6\<game name> and a file called generalszh.exe or generalsv.exe.

Install the game executable

Run cmake --install build\<vc6 build type>, this will copy the executable to the retail game directory, or you can copy it manually.

Troubleshooting

Error: "too long"

• The compiler failed because the total path length for lib and include exceeded the limit for VS6.
• Your only option is to move your project and dependencies closer to the root of your drive or rename folders in your project to shorter names.

Error: "could not find X.h file"

• Ensure that you have correctly set up your LIB and INCLUDE environment variables.
• These variables are essential for linking and compiling header (.h) and library (.lib) files.

Error: "cmake --preset fails"

• Delete the build folder and try again.
• Sometimes, CMake's cache gets corrupted, and you need to start fresh.