# Creating a Project

In this chapter you will learn how to create a project, or project file, which is a database table consisting of the highest-level project information. The project file describes all project-specific files, symbols, and references to other database files.

If you created project files during installation, see Working with Projects.

## Starting a New Project

If you chose not to create project files during installation, the Source-Navigator Projects window is empty. After you create a project, its name is listed in the window at start-up.

### Starting a Project Using Auto-Create

Auto-Create is a quick way to start a new project if all of your source files reside in a single directory (or a small number of directories) and if you want all of the files from that directory in your project. If you want to create a project that contains selected files from several directories, see Using the Project Editor.

To start a new project using Auto-Create, follow these steps:

1. In the Source-Navigator Projects window, click New Project... .

   The Auto-Create dialog box appears.

2. If the Project File text box does not point to the `c++_demo.proj` file, and if the Add Directory text box does not point to the `c++_demo` directory, use the "..." buttons to navigate to them. The path is `.../share/demos`.
3. To use source files from the listed directory, click OK. If you would like to add other directories, click more and use the "..." button to choose additional directories. These files will be included in your project. Click OK when done.

   If the source code included in the project is in a read-only directory, you will be unable to create the project and corresponding database files in the same directory as your source files. You must choose a directory with write permission for the project file and the database files.

   To add specific files to the project, click the Project Editor button. For more information, see Using the Project Editor.

   The Scanning Project... progress bar appears:

4. For those programming languages where it is applicable, cross-reference information is generated if you selected Build Cross-Reference Database in the Auto-Create dialog box. However, Source-Navigator loads the main project windows and allows you to work while it builds the cross-reference database in the background. The Cross-Referencer tool button is grayed-out until the cross-referencing process is complete. A status bar at the bottom of the Symbol Browser shows progress; if you wish to cancel the cross-reference database generation, click on the status bar.
5. Once your project is created, Source-Navigator's Symbol Browser appears:

   #### Symbol Browser Window

   This window lists symbols and files for the selected directories. If you've completed this step, you can now go to Working with Projects.