Getting Started with C++

Introduction:

Are you eager to start your journey into C++ programming? To start coding in C++, you'll need a development environment that includes a C++ compiler and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). 

What is a Compiler and IDE?

Compiler: A compiler is a program that translates human-readable code (like C++) into machine-readable instructions. It analyzes your code for errors and converts it into a format that the computer can understand and execute. The compiler plays a crucial role in the software development process.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE): An IDE is a software application that provides a comprehensive set of tools for writing, editing, compiling, and debugging code. It offers a user-friendly interface and combines various development tools in one place, making the coding process more efficient and productive.

Setting up your development environment is the first step towards writing C++ code effectively. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up your development environment using Microsoft Visual Studio, a popular Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for C++ programming.

1. Downloading Microsoft Visual Studio:

To begin, follow these steps to download Microsoft Visual Studio Community Edition, a free version of Visual Studio suitable for students and individual developers:

• Go to the Visual Studio website (visualstudio.microsoft.com) using your web browser.
• Look for the "Downloads" section and click on "Visual Studio Community".
• On the Visual Studio Community page, click the "Download" button.
• Once the installer is downloaded, run it on your computer.

2. Installing Visual Studio:

After downloading the installer, follow these simple steps to install Visual Studio on your machine:

• Run the downloaded installer, and you'll be presented with various options.
• Select the "C++ development" workload. This ensures that the necessary tools and libraries for C++ development are installed.
• Customize the installation if desired, choosing additional components or features based on your needs.
• Select the desired installation location on your computer.
• Click "Install" and let the installer do its magic. This process may take a while, so be patient.

3. Creating a C++ Project:

Once the installation is complete, follow these steps to create your first C++ project in Visual Studio:

• Launch Visual Studio.
• Click on "Create a new project" on the start page or go to "File" > "New" > "Project" from the menu.

• In the project templates window, search for "Empty Project" or "Console App" (if you want to start with a simple console-based application) and select it.
• Choose a name and location for your project.
• Click "Create" to create the project.

4. Writing and Running Your First C++ Code:

With your project set up, you're ready to write and run your first C++ code in Visual Studio:

• In the Solution Explorer window, right-click on the project name and select "Add" > "New Item".
• Choose "C++ File (.cpp)" and give it a name like "main.cpp".

• Visual Studio will open a new file where you can start writing your C++ code.
• Write your C++ code in the file. For example, you can start with a simple "Hello World!" program.

#include<iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{ 
	cout << "Hello World!" << endl;
	return 0;
}

• Save the file (Ctrl + S or go to "File" > "Save All").
• To build and run your code, press F5 or go to "Debug" > "Start Debugging".

 

NOTE: Don't worry if you don't understand the code above - we will discuss it in detail in later lectures. For now, focus on how to run the code. (alert-success)

 

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You have successfully set up your development environment using Microsoft Visual Studio for C++ programming. With Visual Studio, you can write, build, and run C++ code efficiently.