How to compile a smart contract via CLI

Overview

This guide provides instructions how to compile a smart contract using the command line interface (CLI).

Reference

See the following code reference:

• The eosio-cpp tool.

Before you begin

• You have the source of the contract saved in a local folder, e.g. ./examples/hello/ For details on how to create your first contract follow the Hello World Contract guide.

Procedure

Follow the following steps to compile your contract.

1. Navigate to the hello folder in examples ./examples/hello. You should see the ./src/hello.cpp file.

2. Run the following commands:

   mkdir build
   cd build
   eosio-cpp -abigen ../src/hello.cpp -o hello.wasm -I ../include/

   Where:

   • eosio-cpp = Is the eosio-cpp tool.
   • -abigen = It instructs the eosio-cpp tool to generate ABI file.
   • ../src/hello.cpp = Is the input cpp source file to be compiled.
   • -o hello.wasm = It instructs the eosio-cpp tool who to name the output wasm file.
   • -I ../include/ = It tells eosio-cpp tool what the include folder path is, in this particular case it is a relative path.
3. Verify the following two files were generated:

• the compiled binary wasm: hello.wasm,
• and the generated ABI file: hello.abi.

Summary

In conclusion, the above instructions show how to compile a smart contract using the command line interface (CLI).