VS Code, also known as Visual Studio Code, is a popular code editor among developers, and it is widely used for C++ development in Windows. VS Code is a lightweight, open-source code editor that is easy to install and use. In this article, we will go through the step-by-step process of installing VS Code and configuring it for C++ development in Windows.
Step 1: Download VS Code
The first step in installing VS Code is to download the installer from the official website. Go to https://code.visualstudio.com/ and click on the "Download" button to download the installer for Windows. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Step 2: Install C++ Extension
Once VS Code is installed, the next step is to install the C++ extension. VS Code supports a wide range of extensions that enhance its functionality, and the C++ extension is one of them. To install the C++ extension, open VS Code, go to the Extensions tab, and search for "C++" in the marketplace. Select the "C/C++" extension and click on the "Install" button to install it.
Step 3: Configure C++ IntelliSense
IntelliSense is a feature that provides code suggestions and autocomplete functionality while you are typing. To configure IntelliSense for C++, open VS Code and go to the File menu, then select "Preferences" and "Settings". In the search bar, type "C++" and select "C++ IntelliSense" from the results. In the settings, you can configure various options such as the compiler path, include paths, and more.
Step 4: Install GCC Compiler
To be able to run C++ programs, you need to have a compiler installed on your computer. In this case, we will be using the GCC compiler, which is a popular open-source compiler for C++. To install GCC, you can download the MinGW package from the official website. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Step 5: Configure VS Code to Use GCC Compiler
Once GCC is installed, you need to configure VS Code to use it. To do this, open VS Code and go to the File menu, then select "Preferences" and "Settings". In the search bar, type "C++" and select "C++" from the results. In the settings, you can configure various options such as the compiler path, include paths, and more.
Step 6: Create a C++ Project
Now that VS Code is configured for C++ development, you can start creating your first C++ project. To create a new project, go to the File menu and select "New File". Save the file with the ".cpp" extension, for example, "HelloWorld.cpp". Once the file is saved, you can start writing your C++ code.
Step 7: Build and Run Your C++ Project
Once you have written your C++ code, you can build and run the project. To build the project, go to the Terminal menu and select "New Terminal". In the terminal, type "g++ -o HelloWorld HelloWorld.cpp" and press Enter. This will compile the code and create an executable file named "HelloWorld". To run the program, type "./HelloWorld" in the terminal and press Enter.
Conclusion
Installing VS Code and configuring it for C++ development in Windows is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily install VS Code
VS Code Installation for C++ in Windows | Step by step process explanation
