How to Build and Use cpp-hex-viewer

This project is a console-based hex viewer written in C++. It compiles into a native Windows executable and can read any file as raw hexadecimal bytes.

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1️⃣ Requirements

• Visual Studio Build Tools (MSVC)
• Use x64 Native Tools Command Prompt for VS
• No Qt, no GUI libraries, no CMake required

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2️⃣ Open the Correct Terminal

⚠️ IMPORTANT
Always compile using:

Visual Studio 2026 x64 Native Tools Command Prompt

PowerShell alone will NOT work for compiling.

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3️⃣ Go to the Project Folder

You must be inside the folder that contains main.cpp.

cd C:\Users\David\cpp-hex-viewer

Verify files exist:

dir

You should see:

• main.cpp

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4️⃣ Compile the Program

Run this command from inside the project folder:

cl /std:c++20 /EHsc main.cpp

This creates:

• main.exe → the hex viewer program

You only need to compile again if you change the code.

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5️⃣ How to Use the Program

General syntax:

main.exe <file_path>

The program prints the file contents as hexadecimal bytes.

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Examples

Read a binary file:

main.exe test.bin

Read a text file:

main.exe notes.txt

Read an image:

main.exe image.png

Read a file in another folder (full path):

main.exe C:\Users\David\Downloads\file.bin

Read a file using a relative path:

main.exe ..\Downloads\file.bin

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6️⃣ Important Notes

• The program reads any file (text or binary)

• The program does NOT modify files (read-only)

• Compilation requires MSVC

• Running main.exe works in any terminal

• 

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7️⃣ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Running cl from PowerShell

✅ Compile once, reuse forever
✅ Pass any file path you want

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8️⃣ Mental Model

• cl main.cpp → builds the tool
• main.exe file → uses the tool on any file