How to Install & Setup VS Code for running C++ Programs

Setting up Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for running C++ programs is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the installation and setup:

1. Install Visual Studio Code:

• Go to the Visual Studio Code website and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
• Follow the installation instructions provided by the installer

2. Install C++ Extension:

• Open Visual Studio Code.
• Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the square icon on the sidebar or by pressing `Ctrl+Shift+X`.
• Search for "C++" in the Extensions Marketplace.
• Click on the "Install" button for the "C/C++" extension provided by Microsoft.

3. Install a C++ Compiler:

• For Windows: You can install MinGW (Minimalist GNU for Windows) or use the Visual C++ Build Tools provided by Microsoft.
• For macOS: Install Xcode Command Line Tools by running `xcode-select --install` in the terminal.
• For Linux: Install `build-essential` package or equivalent via your package manager. For Ubuntu/Debian, you can use `sudo apt-get install build-essential`.

4. Configure Visual Studio Code:

• Open your C++ project folder in Visual Studio Code or create a new one.
• Create a new file named `tasks.json` in the `.vscode` directory of your project (you may need to create the `.vscode` directory if it doesn't exist).
• Add the following configuration to `tasks.json` to build and run your C++ program

{
        "version": "2.0.0",
        "tasks": [
            {
                "label": "build",
                "type": "shell",
                "command": "g++",
                "args": [
                    "-g",
                      "${file}",
                      "-o",
                      "${fileDirname}/${fileBasenameNoExtension}"
                ],
                "group": {
                    "kind": "build",
                    "isDefault": true
                }
            }
        ]
}

• Save `tasks.json`.

5. Writing and Running C++ Code:

• Create a new C++ file (e.g., `main.cpp`) in your project folder or open an existing one.
• Write your C++ code in the editor.
• To compile your code, press `Ctrl+Shift+B` or run the "Tasks: Run Build Task" command from the Command Palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P`).
• After successful compilation, the executable file will be generated in the same directory.
• You can run the executable by typing `./filename` in the terminal integrated in VS Code or by navigating to the directory where the executable is located and running it from there.

Additional Tips:

• You can debug your C++ code using the built-in debugger in Visual Studio Code. Ensure you have set up breakpoints and configurations appropriately in `launch.json`.
• Customize your VS Code settings and keybindings according to your preferences.

That's it! You should now have Visual Studio Code set up for writing and running C++ programs.