Giant .exe files

**arthurprs** · 01-09-2007, 04:29 PM

I instaled Lazarus here, changed the compiler to FPC2.1.4 rebuild the LCL but everything that i compile gets a giant size "8.4mb" :shock: :shock:

only here ?
how to solve it ?

**Legolas** · 01-09-2007, 04:40 PM

That's a FAQ

LP · 01-09-2007, 06:00 PM

If I remember well, you can reduce the size by stripping debug info and enabling crosslinking. You will still get a *large* file, but it's a "sensitive" subject where FPC guys get very emotional, and last time I've mentioned it, got a knife in my back, so... be careful!

**JernejL** · 01-09-2007, 07:00 PM

[quote="Lifepower"]If I remember well, you can reduce the size by stripping debug info and enabling cross]

imo they should by default use optimized settings and store debug info separatedly :|

**arthurprs** · 01-09-2007, 07:51 PM

Thx for the replys, now 900kb

**dmantione** · 01-09-2007, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Delfi

imo they should by default use optimized settings and store debug info separatedly :|

Already supported. However, there exist no debuggers that can read such separate debug info.

**WILL** · 01-09-2007, 08:29 PM

I think that your size issue is more related to Lazarus than FPC.

Somehow Lazarus just makes bigger EXE files even without the LCL involved.

Originally Posted by dmantione

Already supported. However, there exist no debuggers that can read such separate debug info.

Isn't there a FPC-specific debugger being worked on right now?

farcodev_ · 01-09-2007, 11:38 PM

for size problem in last issue try UPX

**WILL** · 02-09-2007, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by farcodev_

for size problem in last issue try UPX

Yup! This is a popular way to get rid of the large size of the exe. However, I've discovered while doing this myself that if you UPX your executable it won't compress as small via ZIP or RAR.

So like all things there is yet more trade-off.

**Robert Kosek** · 02-09-2007, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by WILL

However, I've discovered while doing this myself that if you UPX your executable it won't compress as small via ZIP or RAR.

Of course it won't compress any smaller because you just compressed it. Almost all compression schemes do not compress well in successive compression algorithms. Just like JPEG and PNG images with BZip2 increasing up to 50% in size.