Table of contents
No headings in the article.
Setting Up Your Local Environment Preparing your environment for C++ programming involves two essential components:
Text Editor A reliable text editor is indispensable for coding. Choose one that suits your preferences and platform. Some popular options include Windows Notepad, OS Edit command, Brief, Epsilon, EMACS, and vim or vi. The choice of text editor may vary based on your operating system; for instance, Notepad is commonly used on Windows, while vim or vi can be used on both Windows and Linux or UNIX. Source files in C++ typically carry extensions like .cpp, .cp, or .c. Ensure a text editor is readily available to kickstart your C++ programming journey.
C++ Compiler An actual C++ compiler is crucial for translating your source code into a functional executable program. Most C++ compilers are flexible regarding the source code's extension, but .cpp is widely adopted. One of the most frequently used and freely available compilers is the GNU C/C++ compiler. Depending on your operating system, you can opt for GCC if you're on Linux or UNIX, or explore alternatives like HP or Solaris compilers for their respective systems.
Installing the GNU C/C++ Compiler UNIX/Linux Installation If you're using Linux or UNIX, verify the presence of GCC on your system using the following command:
$ g++ -v If GCC is not installed, refer to the detailed installation instructions available at GCC Installation.
Mac OS X Installation For Mac OS X users, obtaining GCC is straightforward. Download the Xcode development environment from Apple's website and follow the provided installation instructions. Access Xcode at developer.apple.com/technologies/tools.
Windows Installation On Windows, you'll need MinGW to install GCC. Visit the MinGW homepage and download the latest version of the MinGW installation program (e.g., MinGW-.exe). During installation, ensure you install gcc-core, gcc-g++, binutils, and the MinGW runtime at a minimum. Optionally, you can install additional components according to your requirements.
To streamline access to these tools via the command line, add the bin subdirectory of your MinGW installation to your PATH environment variable.
After successful installation, you'll be able to execute essential GNU tools such as gcc, g++, ar, ranlib, and dlltool directly from the Windows command line. Your C++ programming environment is now ready for action!