What is an IDE?

An IDE is a development environment that brings together several tools useful to programmers. Generally speaking, it is composed of a text editor, a compiler and a debugger.

Here is a list of IDEs that can be used to program in C/C++:

• VS Code

• Visual Studio Community

• Code::blocks

• Eclipse

• CLion

On my end, I’ll be using VS Code during this Wiki.

Installing VS Code

You need to download VS Code! You can install it on Windows, Linux or Mac. As a reference, I will use Windows for the entire duration of this Wiki. So, you need to download the executable file for Windows and run it when the download is finished.

Open

The installation should finish correctly, keeping the default settings.

Added Extension to VS Code

You can add extensions that make it easier to write your programs. You have to go to the extension tab on the left-hand side of the screen.

Open

Then, you have to search for the extension in the search bar and press the install button. Here is a list of a few extensions you need to install.

• C/C++

• C/C++ Extension Pack

• C++ Intellisense

Installation of Mingw-w64

You need to install Mingw-w64 using SourceForge site. Click here to download the installer.

1. When the installer is downloaded, run it.

2. When you get to the next page select x86_64 in the Architecture parameter.

    

3. Keep all default settings for the remainder of the installation.

4. When the installation is complete, use the Windows search and enter Edit the system environment variables.

    

5. Select the button Environment Variables…

    

6. Select the Path variable and click on Edit…

    

7. Click on the New button and insert the following path: C:\Program Files\mingw-w64\x86_64-8.1.0-posix-seh-rt_v6-rev0\mingw64\bin.

    

8. Click on OK once you’re finished.

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