C/C++ Do C++ Compilers Repeatedly Process the Same Header Files?

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C++ compilers often compile the same header files multiple times when different source files include them, leading to inefficiencies. However, many modern compilers, like Microsoft's Visual C++, utilize precompiled headers to optimize compilation time and resource usage. This feature can be toggled on or off depending on the compiler settings, allowing developers flexibility in managing compilation processes.
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Is it true that most, if not all, C++ compilers tend to compile the same .h files over and over again? Say there are two .cpp files that include the same .h file, and the compiler processes one of these .cpp files & all its included header files as well. Once it gets to the second .cpp file, it doesn't recognize that it has seen the one .h file before, and so it just processes that file again, right?
 
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Not necesarrilly. Visual compilers (Microsoft) prepare something they call precompiled header to save on resources/compilation time. I suppose other compilers are able to do the same.
 
Oh, I see. Although I guess it makes more sense to use precompiled headers, isn't it possible to turn that feature off (I guess it depends on the compiler)?
 
On/off, as you wish.
 

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