C & C++ Prerequisites & Installation Guide

Before beginning the C & C++ Programming Course, it is important to prepare your development environment. A properly configured system allows you to write, compile, execute, and debug C and C++ programs without interruptions during the training.

This guide explains the recommended system requirements, software installation, compiler setup, and how to verify that your programming environment is ready.

System Requirements

Before installing the required software, ensure that your computer meets the following minimum requirements.

Operating System

The course supports the following operating systems:

• Windows 10 or Windows 11

• macOS (latest supported versions)

• Linux (Ubuntu or other major distributions)

Hardware Requirements

Recommended system specifications:

• Intel Core i3 processor or higher

• Minimum 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

• At least 5 GB of free disk space

• Stable internet connection for online classes

Software Required

The following software is recommended for this course:

• Visual Studio Code

• GCC / G++ Compiler (MinGW for Windows)

• C/C++ Extension for Visual Studio Code

These tools provide everything needed to write, compile, run, and debug C and C++ programs.

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

1. Download Visual Studio Code from the official website.

2. Run the installer.

3. Complete the installation using the default settings.

4. Launch Visual Studio Code after installation.

Step 2: Install the C/C++ Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code.

2. Select the Extensions icon from the left navigation panel.

3. Search for C/C++.

4. Install the C/C++ extension by Microsoft.

This extension provides IntelliSense, debugging support, syntax highlighting, and code navigation for C and C++ development.

Step 3: Install the GCC Compiler

Windows users should install the MinGW-w64 GCC compiler, which includes both the C (gcc) and C++ (g++) compilers.

After installation:

• Add the compiler's bin folder to the system PATH environment variable.

• Restart Command Prompt or Visual Studio Code if necessary.

Step 4: Verify the Compiler Installation

Open Command Prompt and run the following commands:

gcc --version

Then run:

g++ --version

If the installation is successful, both commands will display the installed compiler version.

Step 5: Create Your First C Program

Create a file named:

hello.c

Add the following code:

#include <stdio.h>

int main()

{

    printf("Hello, World!\n");

    return 0;

}

Save the file.

Compile the program using:

gcc hello.c -o hello

Run the program:

Windows

hello.exe

Linux/macOS

./hello

Expected output:

Hello, World!

Common Installation Issues

If you encounter problems during setup, check the following:

• GCC or G++ compiler is not installed

• Compiler path is not added to the system PATH

• C/C++ extension is not installed in Visual Studio Code

• Incorrect file extension (.txt instead of .c or .cpp)

• Syntax errors preventing compilation

• Visual Studio Code terminal not restarted after installation

Most installation issues can be resolved by verifying the compiler installation and ensuring the PATH environment variable is configured correctly.

Before Your First Class

Before attending your first training session, confirm that:

• Visual Studio Code is installed successfully.

• The Microsoft C/C++ extension is installed.

• GCC and G++ compilers are working correctly.

• You can create, compile, and run a simple C program.

• Your internet connection is stable for online training.

Completing these steps ensures that you are fully prepared for the practical coding exercises covered throughout the C & C++ Programming Course.