title: Visual Studio complains that .exe is not found when compiling for debug
body: <p>I have a very simple C++ application.</p>
  
  <pre><code>#include &lt;stdio.h&gt;
  #include &lt;iostream&gt;
  
  int main(int argc, char argv[]) {
    cout &lt;&lt; "hi" &lt;&lt; endl;
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I compile for the first time in debug mode, Visual Studio complains "Unable to start program ..\Debug\myprogram.exe. The system cannot find the file specified." </p>
  
  <p>However, I think that this is obvious because I am compiling for the first time, right? This executable should not exist yet, so why is Visual Studio balking at compiling?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks for your help.</p>
  
  <p>Also, when I build, the following log appears:</p>
  
  <p>When I build (Build->Build solution.), this log appears: </p>
  
  <pre><code>1&gt;------ Build started: Project: print_digits, Configuration: Debug Win32 ------
  1&gt;Build started 12/23/2011 4:32:17 PM.
  1&gt;InitializeBuildStatus:
  1&gt;  Creating "Debug\print_digits.unsuccessfulbuild" because "AlwaysCreate" was specified.
  1&gt;FinalizeBuildStatus:
  1&gt;  Deleting file "Debug\print_digits.unsuccessfulbuild".
  1&gt;  Touching "Debug\print_digits.lastbuildstate".
  1&gt;
  1&gt;Build succeeded.
  1&gt;
  1&gt;Time Elapsed 00:00:00.08
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>It says build succeeded, but no executable is being built for some reason.</p>