Set Up C++ Development With Visual Studio Code on Mac | VSCode C++ Development Basics MacOS (2024)

Summary

This video tutorial demonstrates how to set up a C++ development environment on a Mac using Visual Studio Code. It walks through checking for an existing C++ compiler (Clang), installing it via Xcode command line tools if necessary, and configuring Visual Studio Code by installing the C++ extension pack and Code Runner. The video covers writing a simple C++ program, running it, and debugging with breakpoints. It also explains how to use tasks and launch configurations for easier collaboration using Git and GitHub. By the end, users will be ready to develop and debug C++ programs on their Mac.

Takeaways

• 😀 Check if the C++ compiler (Clang) is installed on your Mac by using the 'clang --version' command in the terminal.
• 💻 If Clang is not installed, you can install it by either downloading the full Xcode package from the App Store or using the 'xcode-select --install' command to install only the essential development tools.
• 🔧 Open Visual Studio Code and create a new folder for your C++ project, then create a new file with the '.cpp' extension to signal that it's a C++ file.
• 🔍 Install the C++ extension pack from Microsoft in Visual Studio Code by going to the Extensions section and searching for 'C++' to enhance the development experience.
• 🏃‍♂️ Install the Code Runner extension in Visual Studio Code to easily run your C++ code from within the editor.
• 📜 Write a simple C++ program to declare and add two numbers, and use the 'Run' button in Visual Studio Code to compile and run the program.
• 🛠 You can also compile C++ code directly from the terminal using the Clang compiler and the 'clang++' command.
• 🐞 Set breakpoints in Visual Studio Code to debug C++ programs by stopping execution at specific lines to inspect variable values.
• ⚙️ Visual Studio Code allows you to step through code line by line using the 'Step Over' and 'Continue' buttons in the debugger.
• 📝 You can create 'launch.json' and 'tasks.json' configuration files for debugging and compiling to share your setup with other developers via version control.

Q & A

What is the first step before starting C++ development on Visual Studio Code for Mac?

The first step is to ensure that you have a C++ compiler installed on your Mac. You can check for this by opening the terminal and typing the command `clang --version`. If the compiler is not installed, you will need to install it.

What should you do if the command `clang --version` does not recognize the C++ compiler?

If the `clang --version` command fails or the compiler is not recognized, you can install it by using the command `xcode-select --install`. This will install the necessary Xcode tools, including the C++ compiler.

How can you install the full package of Xcode on a Mac?

You can install the full package of Xcode from the Apple App Store. The full package includes an IDE and SDKs for multiple languages, including C++.

What are the benefits of using the minimal Xcode tools installation instead of the full package?

The minimal Xcode tools installation only includes the essential tools needed for C++ development, making it lighter and faster to install, especially if you're only interested in using Visual Studio Code for C++ development.

How do you create a new C++ file in Visual Studio Code?

To create a new C++ file in Visual Studio Code, open a folder where you want to save your file, then click the new file icon and name the file with a `.cpp` extension, such as `main.cpp`.

Why does Visual Studio Code recommend installing the C++ extension when you create a .cpp file?

When you create a `.cpp` file, Visual Studio Code recognizes it as a C++ file and recommends installing the C/C++ extension pack from Microsoft to provide language support, such as syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and debugging tools.

What is the purpose of the Code Runner extension in Visual Studio Code?

The Code Runner extension helps you run code easily within Visual Studio Code. It allows you to execute your C++ program directly from the editor without needing to manually compile it from the terminal.

How can you compile and run a C++ program using the terminal in Visual Studio Code?

To compile and run a C++ program using the terminal, you can use the `clang++` command followed by the filename (e.g., `clang++ main.cpp -o main`). This command compiles the C++ code and generates an executable file, which you can then run by typing `./main`.

How can you debug a C++ program in Visual Studio Code?

To debug a C++ program, you can set breakpoints by clicking next to the line numbers, then click on the 'Run and Debug' option. Visual Studio Code will prompt you to choose a debugger, and after selecting the appropriate one (e.g., `clang++`), you can start the debugging session.

What is the purpose of creating the 'launch.json' and 'tasks.json' files in Visual Studio Code?

The `launch.json` file configures the debugger, while the `tasks.json` file configures the compiler settings. These files are useful for maintaining a consistent environment when sharing the project with other developers or using version control systems like Git.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Setting Up C++ Development Environment on Mac

This paragraph provides an introduction to setting up a C++ development environment using Visual Studio Code on a Mac. It explains the need for a C++ compiler (like clang) to compile the code and how to check if the compiler is already installed via the terminal. If not installed, users are guided to install Xcode tools by either downloading the full Xcode IDE or only the essential Xcode tools through a specific command (`xcode-select --install`).

05:00

📦 Installing Necessary Extensions for Visual Studio Code

The focus here is on setting up Visual Studio Code for C++ development by installing the necessary extensions. It explains how Visual Studio Code automatically suggests the C++ extension pack when creating a `.cpp` file, which is critical for C++ development. It further recommends installing an additional extension, Code Runner, for simplifying the code execution process. The paragraph concludes by showing how to write a simple C++ program and execute it using the installed tools.

10:03

🐞 Debugging C++ Code in Visual Studio Code

This section highlights the process of running and debugging a C++ program within Visual Studio Code. It explains the different methods to execute the code, including using a run button and debugging options. Users are shown how to set breakpoints to pause the program execution at specific lines, step through the code, and observe the values of variables as they change during the debugging process. It also covers how to compile the program using the terminal and run it with the generated executable file.

15:04

🔧 Configuring Debugging and Version Control with VS Code

This final part introduces how to create and configure `launch.json` and `tasks.json` files for debugging and compiling code automatically. It shows how Visual Studio Code generates these files when running the C++ program and how these files can be used when sharing the project through version control systems like Git. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the usefulness of having such configurations for easier collaboration with other developers.

Keywords

💡C++ Compiler

A C++ compiler is a program that translates C++ code into machine code that can be executed by the computer. In the video, the speaker explains the need for a C++ compiler to compile C++ programs on a Mac. The example given in the script is the 'clang' compiler, which can be installed via Xcode tools.

💡Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a lightweight code editor that supports a wide variety of programming languages, including C++. In the video, the speaker demonstrates how to use VS Code for C++ development, showing how to install the necessary extensions and run a basic C++ program within the editor.

💡Xcode Development Tools

Xcode Development Tools are essential software packages for macOS that include a variety of tools and libraries for programming in languages like C++. The video discusses how installing these tools also installs the 'clang' compiler, which is necessary for compiling C++ code on a Mac.

💡Extensions

Extensions in Visual Studio Code are add-ons that provide additional functionalities. In the video, the speaker highlights the importance of installing the 'C++ Extension Pack' and 'Code Runner' to streamline C++ programming and execution. These extensions help with tasks such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and running code efficiently.

💡Command Line

The command line is a text-based interface used to interact with the computer. In the video, the speaker demonstrates how to use commands in the terminal to check whether 'clang' is installed and how to compile C++ programs directly from the terminal using 'clang++'.

💡Debugger

A debugger is a tool used to test and debug code by allowing developers to set breakpoints, step through code, and monitor variables. The video explains how to use the built-in debugging feature in VS Code to set breakpoints and step through a simple C++ program, illustrating how to fix issues in code.

💡Breakpoint

A breakpoint is a point in the code where the execution will stop, allowing the developer to inspect the current state of the program. In the video, the speaker sets breakpoints in the C++ code to demonstrate how to use the debugger in VS Code for tracking variable values and program flow.

💡Task.json

The `task.json` file is a configuration file in Visual Studio Code that defines how the code is compiled and run. In the video, the speaker shows how this file is automatically generated when you run C++ code, and explains its role in sharing code and configurations between developers in a version-controlled environment.

💡Launch.json

The `launch.json` file is a configuration file that specifies the settings for debugging a program. In the video, the speaker mentions how this file is created when setting up debugging in VS Code, enabling consistent debugging setups across teams or systems when the project is shared via version control.

💡Terminal

The terminal is a text-based interface in macOS where users can execute commands. The video demonstrates how to use the terminal to check for installed compilers, compile C++ programs, and run the compiled output, emphasizing its importance in programming outside of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Highlights

Opening the terminal on Mac and checking for the C++ compiler by typing the command `clang --version`.

If the compiler is not found, you can install it using the command `xcode-select --install` to download essential Xcode tools, including the C++ compiler.

Downloading the full Xcode package from the Apple App Store is another method to get the C++ compiler, though unnecessary if only C++ development is required.

Opening Visual Studio Code, selecting a folder, and creating a new C++ file (e.g., `main.cpp`).

Visual Studio Code recognizes the `.cpp` extension and suggests installing the C/C++ extension pack from Microsoft.

Installing the C/C++ extension pack from the Extensions section in Visual Studio Code for enhanced C++ development support.

Installing the Code Runner extension to easily run code within Visual Studio Code.

Writing a simple C++ program to declare variables and calculate their sum, demonstrating basic functionality.

Running the C++ program using Visual Studio Code's Run button, which compiles and runs the code while displaying the output in the terminal.

Manually compiling the C++ code in the terminal using the `clang++` command, specifying the file to compile and naming the output binary.

Running the compiled binary from the terminal and observing the output, showcasing terminal-based compilation and execution.

Debugging the C++ code in Visual Studio Code by setting breakpoints and stepping through the code to inspect variables and program flow.

Using the debug features like 'step over' and 'continue' to analyze variable values and detect errors during code execution.

Creating a `launch.json` and `tasks.json` file automatically in Visual Studio Code for sharing configurations and enabling consistent debugging across teams.

Using Source Control in Visual Studio Code to track changes in the project and easily share the code and configurations with other developers via Git.

Transcripts

hey guys in this video I'm going to show

you how you can set up the C++

development environment with Visual

Studio code on your Mac operating system

so let's get started and let's see how

we can do it so first of all before

starting with the development of our C

program we need to have the C++ compiler

in order to compile our C++ code so that

you need to download first and then you

can compile your C++ program with your

Visual Studio code so for that the

simple check whether the compiler is

already there or not on your Mac

operating system you just need to open

the terminal to open the terminal click

on Spotlight search and search for

terminal here and once the terminal

opens you just need to type this command

which is C Lang space hyphen Hy py

version and then press enter and if this

gives you some kind of output which says

Apple cang version something then the

compiler for C++ is installed on your

Mac operating system now if this gives

you some kind of uh message which says

cang is not recognized or this command

fails then you need to install the

compiler

you can install the cang compiler in two

different ways both will lead to the

installation of cang and both these ways

involves the installation of xcode

development tools so if you want to

install the full package of xcode which

comes with separate IDE and several

different uh sdks to develop various

different languages then you can go to

the Apple App Store and and install the

xcode development tools from there I

have already created a video about it

how you can install that if you are only

interested in development of C++ with

Visual Studio code then I will recommend

you to install the xcode tools using

this command which is xcode hyphen

select space hyphen hyphen install this

is going to only install the essential

xcode tools and that also involves the

cang so if the cang uh command fails

then just run this command when I run uh

this command it's going to uh show me

this uh error because I have already uh

installed xcode separately on my Mac

operating system so it says command line

tool is already installed use software

update in the system setting to install

the updates right so in my case I have

already have this installed in your case

you might want to run this command once

you run this command just check the

version of cang once again with this

command and if it gives you this kind of

output then the C++ compiler will work

once the compiler is there let's start

with the C++ development with Visual

Studio code so now open the visual

studio code and here first of all we are

going to open any folder in which you

want to

create your C++ program so I'm going to

click on open folder and then I will go

to the documents folder and here I have

this hello world folder which is empty

right now so I'm going to open this

folder now here I can create a C++ file

by clicking on this uh new file icon or

I can click on the file and then click

on new file icon so I'm going to click

on new file icon and then I'm going to

name my file as main do CPP here once I

uh press enter Visual Studio code is

going to recognize that I want to

develop a C++ code and how it recognizes

because I have named my file as main do

CPP do CPP is an extension for C++ so so

you can see it gives us the

recommendation to install the C and C++

extension pack which is from Microsoft

itself so you can click on install from

here if you don't want to do that then

you can also go to the extensions

section and here search for C++ which is

also going to show you the same kind of

result here you can see the first result

which is for C and C++ and you can see

it's and you can see it has been

downloaded around 57 million times and

it's from Microsoft so it's the official

CN C++ extension pack

for the C++ development so click on

install here which is going to start the

installation of this extension pack and

once the C and C++ extension is

installed you will see the disable and

uninstall button so in future you can

disable or uninstall it one more uh

extension I will recommend here will be

uh code Runner so just search for code

Runner here and this is the extension

which will help you to run your code in

a easy way so I'm going to click on code

Runner and then click on install which

is going to install this extension also

so we have installed CN C++ extension

and we have installed the code Runner

extension now I'm going to go to the

Explorer and then here type a very

simple C++ program so this is the C++

program and what this C++ program does

is it declares three variables num 1 num

two and sum we assign num is equal to 5

num 2 is equal to 10 and uh then we are

going to add these two numbers and show

the output here so nothing complicated

about this uh C++ program you can find

these kind of programs anywhere on

internet right so now how can we run

this program so to run this program you

have this icon here you can see uh this

debug C and C++ file you also have this

Arrow here

from here you can either debug your C

your C++ file you have the option to run

your C++ code or you have the option to

run a specific C++ file using this

option I also have the option to run my

C++ code using this run button and then

I can start the debugging or I can run

the program without

debugging so let's start with this uh

Arrow key and here I'm going to click on

this option which says run run code

which is going to open the terminal and

it's going to show me the output as soon

as I click on the Run button you can see

it creates this binary file so first of

all in the background this run code is

going to compile my C++ program and

create this uh executable binary file

you can see this main file is created

and this is the command it has ran and

then after that it's going to run this

command and you will see the output in

the output section right you can also go

to the terminal and if you are a fan of

command line you can also compile your

code from here so let me just remove uh

this binary and compile the code once

again so I'm going to move this binary

file which is the executable file we

have created once the C++ code builds so

I'm going to move it to the thrash and

let's build it once again and I can uh

just write C Lang command here so just

write C Lang when you type uh first

three or four letters of C length you

can uh see what are the C length uh uh

command which are available for us in

our case we are going to use the

C++ so I'm going to just write C Lang

plus plus and then the name of the file

which I want to compile which is main do

CPP in my my case then hyphen o which is

the flag we can use to name our

executable file I'm going to name my

executable file as main you can name it

anything so you can uh name it out for

example let's name it out and this is

the command to compile your C++ code

using the terminal right so you can run

this command on any terminal it doesn't

need to be in the visual studio code I'm

going to press enter which is going to

uh compile my C++ code you can see it

has generated this out binary which we

can run by

using slout and then press enter and

it's going to give us the same kind of

result so you can also open the terminal

and then run this command if the

terminal is closed from here you can go

to the terminal and then click on the

new terminal and it's going to open the

terminal for you right now we have uh

compiled our code and ran our code now

let's say you want to debug your code so

you also have the option to debug your

code using visual studio code so here

you will be able to see uh the option to

run your code in the debug mode so you

can see debug C or C++ file and as I

mentioned you also have the option here

start debugging but before starting the

debugging you need to set the breakpoint

so here you can go to the run and debug

section and right now it's not doing

anything but when I set the break point

so I can just uh click here and then set

the break point on line number five line

number six line number N9 and let's say

line number 12 so you might have

observed when I have uh created the

breakpoint on these lines you will be

able to see uh these kind of list of

break points here in the debug section

you will also see the line num so 5 6 9

and 12 you can also toggle these break

points by clicking on this button which

is going to disable all the breakpoints

you can enable it once again or you can

close all the break points from here so

you can remove all the breako by

clicking on this remove all break points

uh button and you will also see some

more um options once you run the

debugger so let's run the code in the

the debug mode by clicking on run and

then start debugging and then it's going

to ask us which kind of debugger we want

to use you can see you have CN C++ cang

build and debug active file you have uh

CN C++ cang build and debug active file

so we are going to use the second option

because we are compiling or debugging

the C++ file if you have the g++

compiler you will also see the option

for uh GDB or g++ uh compiler I'm going

to choose the second option we start

with G cang Plus+ click on second option

here and it's going to start the

debugger and first of all it's going to

give you this kind of warning which says

developer tool access need to take

control of another process so I'm going

to just give my macbook's password here

which I used to log to my MacBook and

click on continue

and then click on okay and then my

debugging starts once the debugging

start you will see these button on top

the first button is for continue so when

you press on this your program execution

stops at the next break point you can

also use this step over step into step

out and you have the option to restart

the debugging and stop the debugging

using this button let's step over to the

next line so I'm going to to click on

step over button and as soon as I do

that you can see num one variable is

printed here and here the num one the

value which is assigned to num one here

is five you will also see num two and

num three variables but because we

haven't executed the code on the line

number six or line number 12 we haven't

assigned the value to num two and the

sum variables so here you will be able

to see some random value use assigned to

num two and some variables 1 and let's

say 1 25 72 these are some of the random

values because our program execution is

stopped at this point we haven't

completed this line of code so when we

step over to the next line you will

observe that now num two has the value

of 10 once again we have stopped at this

point so some has random values so let's

step over once again and now St some

have 15 values so this is how you can

debug your code once again when you

click on the continue button your

program will run successfully and it's

going to show you the output here so

this is how you can debug your C++ code

if you want to create a launch. Json

file in the debug section so when you

click on debug and you have the option

to create the launch. Json file so let

me click on this file and it's going to

create this launch. Json file for you so

once it creates a launch. Json file you

you will see that this vs code folder

will will be created in your project

directory and you will see these two

files which are created which is launch.

Json which have the configuration

related to your uh debugger also you

have the task. Json file have the

configuration related to your your

compiler right so you can see this task

we have added this task here which is

generated uh automatically for you when

you ran this code using this button

right so this kind of uh vs code and

launch. Json and task. Json uh are

important when you want to share your

code with other colleagues so when you

are using Version Control let's say when

you click on Source control and when you

add this this uh code into some kind of

Git Version Control then you will be

able to see your changes here and when

you push your code to GitHub some other

developer is going to pull that code and

he will be able to use the same

configuration that's why it's useful to

create this kind of uh launch or task.

Json

files so that's it for this video this

is how you can set up the c or C++

development environment on your Visual

Studio code editor

on your Mac operating system I hope you

enjoyed this video and I will see you in

the next video