C++ Development Setup C++ Development Setup Dev. Setup
Tools
Advice: start with a text editor + command line compiler
But… once you know how the C++ build process works and how to use a compiler on the command line, you should consider switiching to an IDE for bigger projects.
Visual Studio Code is probably one of the best choices for beginners today. It has a nice UI, offers some basic IDE features like completion and jumping to definitions and there is even a VIM plugin that is highly configurable.
Visual Studio Code | editor with some IDE features |
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VIM | very powerful editor – takes some learning can be used inside the terminal |
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Qt Creator | IDE – quite beginner-friendly | |
Embarcadero Dev-C++ | IDE – beginner-friendly; quick & painless setup | |
Microsoft Visual Studio | IDE – can be overwhelming for beginners | |
JetBrains CLion | IDE – can be overwhelming for beginners |
If you use Windows 10, I highly recommend using the Windows Substystem for Linux (WSL) which essentially gives you a full-fledged Linux command line.
Most learning resources, especially in the C++ world assume a Linux environment. If you want to pursue a career in software development you will definitly need to familiarize yourself with Linux anyway.
In case you have never worked with a command line interface you should really start to learn some basics. It doesn't take much to create folders, move/copy/delete files and compile and run your first, simple C++ programs.
Compilers
The default
in the GNU/Linux world and very mature.
Install on Ubuntu / Windows 10 + WSL
$ sudo apt-get install -y g++
$ sudo apt-get install -y build-essential
Install on Windows without WSL
Install on Ubuntu / Windows 10 + WSL
$ sudo apt-get install -y clang++
$ sudo apt-get install -y build-essential
Install on Windows without WSL
Compiler Explorer
- lets you run code through many different compilers
- great for quick tests
- lots of compilers with lots of different versions, also with experimental features
- offers several popular libraries
- great text editor with multiple cursors, VIM mode, dark mode, …
- shows nicely annotated assembly output
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