c/c++ #include dependencies watcher

Include File Dependencies Watcher v.1.0.0.7

Visualize c/c++ include dependencies. Maintain good include hierarchy with less effort. For large C/C++ projects it is definitely a must-have tool.

Some features:

You can study include dependencies of several files at the same time
You can save the include files hierarchy as an image file
Cyclic dependencies are correctly displayed
The comments are parsed correctly
The preprocessor directives are not supported (other than #include and #import)
You can use it as a stand alone application or integrate it as an add in for Visual Studio 2005, 2008, 2010
It is possible to follow standard headers
COM includes (#import)
Using of colors simplifies reading of the diagram
Precompiled (or other predefined) headers may be ignored
#includes which might be reduced are shown in red

Frequently asked questions.

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Include File Dependencies Watcher Output

A real life example - dependencies of c++ standard include file "complex" from Visual Studio 2010:

A free tool for viewing the include file dependencies (some call it include file hierarchies), removing unnecessary #include-s from your source code, and reducing compilation time:

Download Include Dependencies Watcher v.1.0.0.7 (VS2005)

Download Include Dependencies Watcher v.1.0.0.7 (VS2008)

Download Include Dependencies Watcher v.1.0.0.7 (VS2010)

Last update: 07.05.2012.

Use case study

As use case consider an open source c++ project outliner. Before using the "Include Dependencies Watcher" the #include graph has some unnecessary #includes:
Original #include graph

After removing red #includes the project can be compiled successfully and the #include graph becomes more clear:
Graph without unnecessary #include-s