How to Set Up Visual Studio Code for C++ Development on Linux

When it comes to developing C++ projects on a Linux machine, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is an excellent choice. With the right extensions installed, you can enjoy syntax highlighting, debugging, and IntelliSense support for your C++ code. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up VS Code for C++ development on Linux.

Firstly, you need to install two essential extensions: C/C++ and CMake Tools. The C/C++ extension provides syntax highlighting and other language features for C++. On the other hand, the CMake Tools extension enables support for CMake projects in VS Code, allowing you to configure and build your projects with ease.

Once installed, navigate to the directory where you want to work on your project using the WSL terminal. Type 'code' in the terminal to open VS Code. You can now access your project files and start coding.

Another important extension is Remote WSL, which allows you to open workspaces from your WSL installation. This is particularly useful when working on projects that require a Linux environment.

To get started with debugging, create a new C++ file inside your project directory. For example, you can create a `main.cpp` file with the following code:

```cpp

#include

using namespace std;

int main() {

return 0;

}

```

You can also set breakpoints in your code and hit the Big Green Play Button to start debugging.

If you want to see the output of your code in the command line, you can set `externalConsole` to `true` in the `launch.json` file. This will display the output in the terminal instead of the VS Code console.

In addition to these extensions and features, I've also found that VS Code provides a great environment for small C++ projects, especially those geared towards competitive programming. With its powerful debugging and IntelliSense capabilities, you can focus on writing code rather than configuring your development setup.

Overall, setting up VS Code for C++ development on Linux is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enjoy a seamless coding experience with syntax highlighting, debugging, and IntelliSense support.

C++ visual studio code linux