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VS Code Extensions for C Programming

VS Code extensions allow us to add languages, debuggers, and tools to our installation to support development workflow.

Benefits of using VS Code extensions​

  • Help us to write and debug code more efficiently
  • Some extensions provide features like syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and code formatting, which can make it easier to read and understand code
  • Others provide tools like snippets and documentation comments, which can save time by automating common coding tasks.

Following VS extensions are important for this course and C Programming in general:

C/C++ Extensions​

This is an official extension from Microsoft that provides syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, debugging, and other features for C and C++.- Provides C/C++ IntelliSense (Code Completion)

Installing C/C++ Extensions​

To install the C/C++ extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code):

  • Open VS Code and click on the "Extensions" icon in the left sidebar. This is the icon that looks like a square with a downward-facing arrow.

  • In the search bar at the top of the "Extensions" pane, type "C/C++" and press Enter. This will show a list of C/C++ extensions that are available for installation.

  • Click on the "C/C++" extension in the list and then click the "Install" button. This will install the extension in VS Code.

  • Once the installation is complete, you will need to reload VS Code to activate the extension. You can do this by clicking the "Reload" button that appears in the notification area at the bottom of the editor.

You should now have the C/C++ extension installed in VS Code and be ready to start using it.

C/C++ Compile Run​

This extension allows you to compile and run C and C++ programs directly from VS Code.

Installing "C/C++ Compile Run" extension​

To install the C/C++ Compile Run extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code):

  • Open VS Code and click on the "Extensions" icon in the left sidebar. This is the icon that looks like a square with a downward-facing arrow.

  • In the search bar at the top of the "Extensions" pane, type "C/C++ Compile Run" and press Enter. This will show a list of C/C++ Compile Run extensions that are available for installation.

  • Click on the "C/C++ Compile Run" extension in the list and then click the "Install" button. This will install the extension in VS Code.

  • Once the installation is complete, you will need to reload VS Code to activate the extension. You can do this by clicking the "Reload" button that appears in the notification area at the bottom of the editor.

You should now have the C/C++ Compile Run extension installed in VS Code and be ready to start using it.

tip

Before you can use the C/C++ Compile Run extension, you will need to have a C or C++ compiler installed on your computer. Consult the documentation for the extension or your compiler for more information on how to set this up.

Other Useful extensions​

  • C++ IntelliSense: This extension provides enhanced IntelliSense for C++, including support for C++20 and C++17.

  • C++ Snippets: This extension provides a collection of snippets for C++, including templates for common coding patterns and structures.

  • C++ Documentation Comments: This extension helps you generate documentation comments for C++ code using the Doxygen format.

  • C++17 Check: This extension checks your C++ code for compliance with the C++17 standard.

more extentions

You can find more options by searching the VS Code marketplace or by consulting the documentation for your specific development needs.