Setting Up Development Environment

Installing a C Compiler

What’s a C Compiler?

Consider the C compiler to be your computer’s language translator. It translates the human-readable code you write in C into machine code that your computer can understand and execute.

Installing GCC (GNU Compiler Collection)

GCC is a popular, open-source C compiler. It’s powerful and works on a variety of systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Here’s how you install it:

Windows:

• Download the MinGW installer (Minimalist GNU for Windows).
• Follow the installation instructions, and make sure to select the right option to install the GCC compiler.

macOS:

• You may use Homebrew, which is a package manager for macOS. Open Console and run brew install GCC.

Linux:

• Run sudo apt-get install build-essential on Debian-based systems (for example, Ubuntu) to install important development tools such as GCC.

Verifying the Installation

To determine whether GCC is installed, open a terminal or command prompt and enter GCC-V. If installed successfully, it should show information about the compiler version.

Using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

What’s a C IDE?

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) functions as a digital workspace for programmers. It includes tools for developing, debugging, and compiling code, which improves the development process efficiency.

Popular C IDEs

Code::Blocks:

• Download and install Code::Blocks from codeblocks.org.
• It comes with an inbuilt GCC compiler, making it an easy choice for beginners who want to learn C.

Visual Studio Code:

• Download and install Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com.
• Install the “C/C++” extension from the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X).

Dev-C++:

• Download and install Dev-C++ from bloodshed.net.

Setting Up Your First Project

Code::Blocks:

• Open Code::Blocks, create a new project (File -> New -> Project), choose “Console Application,” and follow the wizard to set up your project.

Visual Studio Code:

• Open VS Code, create a new folder for your project, and open it in VS Code.
• Create a new C file (e.g., main.c) and start coding.

Dev-C++:

• Open Dev-C++, create a new project (File -> New -> Project), choose “Console Application,” and follow the wizard.

What’s an IDE?

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) functions as a digital workspace for C programmers. It includes tools for developing, debugging, and compiling code, which improves the development process efficiency.

Popular C IDEs

Code::Blocks:

• Download and install Code::Blocks from codeblocks.org.
• It comes with an integrated GCC compiler, making it a straightforward choice for beginners.

Visual Studio Code:

• Download and install Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com.
• Install the “C/C++” extension from the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X).

Dev-C++:

• Download and install Dev-C++.

Setting Up Your First C Program Project

Code::Blocks:

• Open Code::Blocks, create a new project (File -> New -> Project), choose “Console Application,” and follow the wizard to set up your project.

Visual Studio Code:

• Open VS Code, create a new folder for your project, and open it in VS Code.
• Create a new C file (e.g., main.c) and start coding.

Dev-C++:

• Open Dev-C++, create a new project (File -> New -> Project), choose “Console Application,” and follow the wizard.