Learn C++ Programming: A Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up and Running Your First Program

Get Started with C++ Programming: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why C++?
C++ is a powerful, general-purpose programming language that supports object-oriented programming. With its versatility and efficiency, C++ is a popular choice among developers. But to begin coding in C++, you need to set up your environment correctly.

Setting Up Your Environment

To start coding in C++, you’ll need a C++ compiler installed on your device. Don’t worry if you’re new to this; we’ve got you covered. Our free online C++ compiler allows you to run code directly in your browser without any setup. However, if you prefer to work on your local machine, we’ll walk you through the installation process on Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu).

Installing C++ on Windows

To set up a C++ programming environment on Windows, you’ll need two main components:

• VS Code: A text editor to write your code
• MinGW: A compiler that turns your C++ code into an executable program

Follow these simple steps to install C++ on Windows:

1. Install VS Code: Download the Windows installer from the VS Code official website and follow the installation process.
2. Download MinGW Compiler: Get the MinGW installation manager from the official website.
3. Run the Installer: Run the installer and select the components to install, including mingw32-base and mingw32-gcc-g++.
4. Add MinGW to System PATH: Update your system environment variables to include the MinGW bin directory.
5. Install C/C++ Extension in VS Code: Search for C/C++ by Microsoft in the Extensions and click on install.

Installing C++ on macOS

To install C++ on your Mac, you’ll need:

• VS Code: A text editor to write your code
• Clang: A default compiler in macOS that turns your C++ code into an executable program

Follow these steps to install C++ on macOS:

1. Install VS Code: Download the zipped file from the VS Code official website and install it in the Applications folder.
2. Install C++ Extension: Open VS Code and search for C/C++ by Microsoft in the Extensions, then click on install.
3. Check for C++ Compiler: Verify that Clang is installed by typing a command in the terminal. If not, install Xcode Command Line Tools.

Installing C++ on Linux (Ubuntu)

To run a C++ program in Linux, you need:

• VS Code: An editor to craft your code
• g++: A part of the GNU Compiler Collection, g++ compiles C++ code into executable programs

Follow these steps to install C++ on Linux:

1. Install VS Code: Update your package lists and install VS Code using the terminal.
2. Install g++: Check if g++ is preinstalled; if not, install it using the terminal.

Run Your First C++ Program

Now that you’ve set up your environment, it’s time to write and run your first C++ program!

1. Open VS Code and create a new file with a.cpp extension.
2. Write your code and save the file.
3. Click the run button or use the terminal to compile and run your program.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your C++ environment and run your first program. Stay tuned for our next tutorial, where we’ll dive into the basics of C++ programming.