VS Code IDE for C, CPP - GitMasterNikanjam/C_WiKi GitHub Wiki

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular and versatile code editor developed by Microsoft that supports a wide range of programming languages, including C and C++. While it is not a full-fledged Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Visual Studio, it offers powerful features and extensions that make it a great choice for C and C++ development.

Here are some key features and aspects of using VS Code for C and C++ development:

Cross-Platform:
VS Code is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for developers on various operating systems.

Lightweight:
VS Code is a lightweight code editor, which means it starts quickly and consumes fewer system resources compared to some heavier IDEs.

Extensions:
VS Code can be extended with various extensions available in the Visual Studio Code Marketplace. For C and C++ development, the most important extension is "C/C++" by Microsoft. It provides IntelliSense, debugging, and code navigation capabilities.

IntelliSense:
The C/C++ extension in VS Code offers IntelliSense, which provides autocompletion and contextual code suggestions as you type. It helps you write code faster and with fewer errors.

Debugging:
VS Code supports debugging for C and C++ applications. You can set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through your code with ease.

Version Control:
VS Code has built-in Git integration for version control, which is essential for collaborative development and tracking changes in your codebase.

Customization:
You can customize the editor's appearance, keybindings, and functionality to suit your preferences.

Task Automation:
You can define and run tasks, such as compiling and building your C/C++ programs, directly from the editor. This simplifies the development workflow.

Terminal Integration:
VS Code includes an integrated terminal, allowing you to run commands, compile code, and perform other tasks without leaving the editor.

Code Linting:
You can integrate code linters like Clang, Cppcheck, or custom scripts to help catch potential issues and maintain code quality.

Workspace Settings:
VS Code allows you to define project-specific settings, making it easy to configure different build and debug settings for various C/C++ projects.

Community and Documentation:
VS Code has a large and active user community, which means you can find plenty of resources, extensions, and documentation to support your C and C++ development needs.

To get started with C and C++ development in Visual Studio Code:

  • Install Visual Studio Code from the official website.
  • Install the "C/C++" extension from the Visual Studio Code Marketplace.
  • Create or open a C/C++ project folder.
  • Configure your project settings and build tasks in a c_cpp_properties.json and tasks.json files, respectively.
  • Start coding, and utilize the features provided by the extension for a smooth development experience.
  • Overall, Visual Studio Code is a popular choice for C and C++ development due to its flexibility, wide range of extensions, and community support. It's an excellent tool for developing C and C++ applications in a lightweight and efficient environment.

to develop C and C++ programs in Visual Studio Code, you need a C/C++ compiler. You'll also need to set up the compiler and configure your development environment appropriately.

Install a C/C++ Compiler:

Windows:
If you're using Windows, you can install Visual C++ Build Tools, which includes the MSVC compiler. You can download it from the official Microsoft website.
Another way for windows is to install MinGW that is a open source programming tools. For how to install MinGW please use bellow link:
MinGW C++ Download and Installation Link

The full manual to install and use MinGW64 is in this link:
GCC and Mingw-w64 on Windows

Linux:
On Linux, you can install GCC, a popular C/C++ compiler. The specific package name may vary depending on your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu, you can install it with the following command:

sudo apt-get install build-essential

The full manual to install and use GCC on Linux is in this link:
GCC on Linux