How to Get Started with C/C++ in Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code Setup Instruction

Here's a step-by-step tutorial to set up Visual Studio Code for C and C++ programming on Windows and Mac.

On Windows (Manual):

Download and install Visual Studio Code: You can download the latest version of Visual Studio Code from the official website (https://code.visualstudio.com/download). Install the software following the instructions on the screen.

Download VS Code

I personally prefer going for a 64-bit installation. After, downloading VS Code Simply install it to your system. Open VS Code and Install the most important extensions as below.

Install the C/C+ extension: Open Visual Studio Code, click on the 

Extention Icon VS Code

Extensions icon on the left-side panel and search for the "C/C++" extension. 

C/C++ Extention Installation

Install the extension and reload Visual Studio Code.

Install Code Runner extension: Again search for the extension named "Code Runner" 

Code Runner ext. Setting

After installation go to the "Extention Setting" 

Code Runner terminal setting

Scroll down and look for the "Code-runner: Run In Terminal" or Simply search by

"@ext:formulahendry.code-runner"

. Make sure the option has a tick mark on it.

Install GCC compiler: To compile and run C and C++ programs, you need to install a compiler. GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) is a free and open-source compiler that can be used on both Windows and Mac. I recommend you download (MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows).

After downloading "MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows" Run the Program as Administrator

Step-1: MinGW Installation Screen

Click the Install button.

Step-2: MinGW Installation Path

Please do not change the MinGW path leave it as it is! It must be on the default C:\MinGW path.

Step-3: MinGW Installation Completion

Congratulation! Our MinGW program installation has been completed. Now you have to manually select the packages you want to install.

Step-4: MinGW Package Installation

I recommend you select all the packages and click on Installation and then Apply Changes.

This process will take some time. 

Now we have to set the environment for windows. Now Right Click on the This PC 

Step-5: This PC

Now after Right Click you'll see some options below 👇

Step-6: Default Menus

Click on the Properties. After that, a popup window will come forward

Step-7: Advanced System Settings

Now click on the Advanced system settings. You will see the system properties window.

Step-8: Environment Variables

Click on the Environment Variables

Step-9: System Variable Paths

Be careful you must double click only on the System variables Path. After double click you  will see this window.

Step-10: Edit Environment Variable

Now you have to add the MinGW compiler to the system variables. For that goto the This PC > Local Disk (C:) > MinGW > Bin

Step-11: Local Disk (C:)

Click on Local Disk (C:) 

Step-12: MinGW Path

Select the MinGW folder

Step-13: MinGW Bin Path (1)

Step forward to the bin folder

Step-14: MinGW Bin Path (2)

You will see all kinds of bin files in this folder. Now copy the path.

Step-15: MinGW Bin Path (3)

Single-click on the top of the path and press Ctrl + C from your keyboard to copy the path. (Example: C:\MinGW\bin)

Step-16: Edit Environment Variable

Now go back to the Edit environment variable and click the New option top of the menu. 

Step-17: Add New Path

Paste the copied path

C:\MinGW\bin

to that and you will see this as inserted. 

Step-18: Click OK

Now click OK

Step-19: Click OK

Click OK again. 

Step-20: Click OK

After clicking OK. Now simply restart your PC.

Step-21: Restart the PC

Skip the #OnWindows step below if you've already installed "MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows" successfully. 

On Windows:

If you counter any error with the "MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows" compiler then go through the other version of the MinGW compiler installation steps below. 

Download MinGW-w64 from Package Manager or MSYS2.

MinGW: Choose the x86_64-posix-seh architecture and install the software.

or

MSYS2: Download the installer: msys2-x86_64-20230127.exe

Add MinGW to your PATH environment variable.

On Mac:

Install Xcode from the App Store.

Open Terminal and type xcode-select --install.

Configure Visual Studio Code for C/C++ programming:

Open Visual Studio Code and click on the File menu.

Click on the Preferences option, then Settings.

In the search bar, type "C++".

In the C++: Environment section, add the path to your GCC compiler.

On Windows: "C:/Program Files (x86)/mingw-w64/x86_64-8.1.0-posix-seh-rt_v6-rev0/mingw64/bin"

On Mac: "/usr/bin"

Create a new C/C++ file:

Click on the File menu, then New File.

Save the file with a .cpp or .c extension.

Compile and run C/C++ programs:

To compile the code, press Ctrl + Shift + B (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + B (Mac).

To run the code, press F5 and choose the "C++ (GCC) [default]" option.

That's it! You're ready to start coding in C and C++ with Visual Studio Code.  👨‍💻

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