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VS Code | Compile and Run in C++

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In this article, we will learn how to compile and run C++ program in VS Code. There are two ways of doing that you can use any one of them as per your convenience. It is to be noted that a majority of competitive programmers use C++, therefore the compilation and execution of the program needs to be done quickly. Some methods which are discussed in this article almost automate the process of compilation and execution.

Program:
Let below be the code to demonstrate compilation and execution:

C++




// C++ program to take the input of
// two numbers and prints its sum
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
 
// Driver Code
int main()
{
    int a, b;
 
    // Input two numbers
    cin >> a >> b;
 
    // Find the sum
    int sum = a + b;
 
    // Print the sum
    cout << sum;
 
    return 0;
}


Using Integrated Command Line:

For compilation and creation of executable file run the below command:

g++ -std = c++11 -O2 -Wall programName.cpp -o programName.exe 

Understanding different terms in above command:

  • g++: tells the computer the given command is for g++ compiler.
  • -std = c++11: the compiler follows C++11 standard, you can set it to -std = c++14 or -std=c++17 based on what you want to use.
  • -O2: Optimizes the code
  • -Wall: shows warnings about possible errors
  • programName.cpp: refers to the c++ file to be compiled
  • -o programName.exe: creates a executable file of the suggested name( here programName.exe).

Note: The name of cpp file and executable file need not be same.

Steps:

  • Hover over terminal tab and select New Terminal.

  • Command prompt will open with current directory.

  • Type the syntax given above with suitable program-name and executable file name.

  • Press Enter and

Method 1 – Calling Executable File and Managing Input/Output

Input/Output in command line itself:

  • Pass the executable file to be run and press enter.

  • Type the required input, each separated by space and press enter.

  • The required output shall be displayed in a new-line of the command line as shown below.

Input/Output through text files:

  • Create two text files input.txt and output.txt. Make sure input.txt contains the required to be input.

C++




#ifndef ONLINE_JUDGE
freopen("input.txt", "r", stdin);
freopen("output.txt", "w", stdout);
#endif


 

  • Compile the new code again with preferably the same name for executable file.

  • Pass the executable file to be run in the command line and press enter

  • You would notice the output in output.txt file.

Method 2 – Using Code-Runner Extension:

 

Using the template created so far, we can easily upgrade to code runner. Below are the steps:

 

  • Install the code runner extension as shown below:

  • Click on the play button on the top-right of the window as shown below:

  • The output of the program is displayed automatically in output.txt file.

Input/Output using Competitive Programming Helper (cph) extension:

  • Firstly search and install cph by Divyanshu Agrawal

  • Now, we are going to run a simple program and try to show learn how to use this ext.

  • Using +New Testcase, we different test cases and their expected outputs respectively.

  • Using Run All , we run all test cases



Last Updated : 11 Feb, 2021
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