C/C++ for Visual Studio Code (Preview)

C/C++ support for Visual Studio Code is provided by a Microsoft C/C++ extension to enable cross-platform C and C++ development on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Getting started

C/C++ compiler and debugger

The C/C++ extension does not include a C++ compiler or debugger. You will need to install these tools or use those already installed on your computer.

Popular C++ compilers are:

• GCC on Linux
• GCC via Mingw-w64 on Windows
• Microsoft C++ compiler on Windows
• Clang for XCode on macOS

Make sure your compiler executable is in your platform path so the extension can find it. You can check availability of your C++ tools by opening the Integrated Terminal (kb(workbench.action.terminal.toggleTerminal)) in VS Code and try running the executable (for example g++ --help).

Install the Microsoft C/C++ extension

1. Open VS Code.
2. Click the Extensions view icon on the Sidebar (kb(workbench.view.extensions)).
3. Search for c++.
4. Click Install.

Hello World tutorials

Get started with C++ and VS Code with Hello World tutorials for your environment:

• GCC on Windows
• Microsoft C++ on Windows
• GCC on Linux
• GCC on Windows Subsystem For Linux
• Clang/LLVM on macOS

Documentation

You can find more documentation on using the Microsoft C/C++ extension under the C++ section, where you’ll find topics on:

• Debugging
• Editing
• Settings
• FAQ

Remote Development

VS Code and the C++ extension support Remote Development allowing you to work over SSH on a remote machine or VM, inside a Docker container, or in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

To install support for Remote Development:

1. Install the VS Code Remote Development Extension Pack.
2. If the remote source files are hosted in WSL, use the Remote - WSL extension.
3. If you are connecting to a remote machine with SSH, use the Remote - SSH extension.
4. If the remote source files are hosted in a container (for example, Docker), use the Remote - Containers extension.

Feedback

If you run into any issues or have suggestions for the Microsoft C/C++ extension, please file issues and suggestions on GitHub. If you haven’t already provided feedback, please take this quick survey to help shape this extension for your needs.