How can I use TRACE macro in non mfc projects

I want to use the TRACE() macro to get output in the debug window in VS2005 in a non mfc c++ project.

But I don't know which additional header or lib is needed.

I want to know are there any ways of putting messages in the debug output window and how can i do that, thx a lot

From stackoverflow

• You can try the DebugOutputString function. TRACE is only enabled in debug builds.

• If you use ATL you can try ATLTRACE.

  TRACE is defined in afx.h as (at least in vs 2008):

  // extern ATL::CTrace TRACE;
  #define TRACE ATLTRACE
  

  And ATLTRACE can be found in atltrace.h

• Build your own.

  trace.cpp:

  #ifdef _DEBUG
  bool _trace(TCHAR *format, ...)
  {
     TCHAR buffer[1000];
  
     va_list argptr;
     va_start(argptr, format);
     wvsprintf(buffer, format, argptr);
     va_end(argptr);
  
     OutputDebugString(buffer);
  
     return true;
  }
  #endif
  

  trace.h:

  #include <windows.h>
  #ifdef _DEBUG
  bool _trace(TCHAR *format, ...);
  #define TRACE _trace
  #else
  #define TRACE false && _trace
  #endif
  

  then just #include "trace.h" and you're all set.

  Disclaimer: I just copy/pasted this code from a personal project and took out some project specific stuff, but there's no reason it shouldn't work. ;-)

• In my understanding wvsprintf has problem with formatting. Use _vsnprintf (or thcar version _vsntprintf ) instead