Discovering the Untold Story of Microsoft Visual Studio and C++: A Guide for Developers

Are you a developer and searching for a way to create software applications for Windows-based devices easily? Fret not! Microsoft Visual Studio, one of the most popular and widely-used integrated development environments (IDEs) for Windows, provides a solution to your problems. It is equipped with powerful tools for developers to create software applications effortlessly.

Step 1: Installation of Visual Studio

The first step towards unleashing the power of Microsoft Visual Studio is to install the software itself. The installation process is simple and straightforward. All you need to do is download Visual Studio from Microsoft’s official website, select the workloads you want, and let the software download and install everything you need for you effortlessly. However, make sure you tick the box for ‘Desktop development with C++.’

Step 2: Create a New C++ Project

After installation, you can unleash the power of C++ by creating a new project. Launch Visual Studio 2019 and select “File” > “New” > “Project”. Then select “C++” under “Installed” and “Windows Desktop Wizard” under “Templates”. This selection will open a gateway of endless possibilities, as several templates will be provided based on your selection – Console Application, Desktop Application, among others. Select the template of your choice and give it a name.

Step 3: Compiling the Program

Now that you have a C++ project, it’s time to write some mind-blowing code for that spectacular performance. Once you complete your masterpiece, it’s time to put your creation to the test. Go to “Build” > “Build Solution”, or press the F7 key. If your code contains errors or bugs, the compiler will indicate and guide you to identify these issues while you fix your errors to ensure that your program works as intended.

Step 4: Debugging the Program

Mistakes happen to the best of us, and when they do, you need to be able to find them quickly and fix them. This process of identifying and correcting errors in your code is called debugging. It is a vital process to produce a bug-free program. You can debug your program using “Debug” > “Start Debugging” or clicking on the green “play” button. You can debug the entire application or only certain parts of it, for instance, based on breakpoints you’ve identified in your code.

Step 5: Advanced Configuration

Visual Studio 2019 provides you with customizable configurations for C++ projects. For example, you can set up multiple build configurations that can be used with different settings and options, depending on the type of application you’re developing. To achieve this level of advanced customization, you can use the Configuration Manager tool available in Visual Studio.

The Conclusion

Adding C++ to Visual Studio 2019 can seem like a daunting task at first, but with the guidance of this comprehensive guide, the process is now a walk in the park. Microsoft Visual Studio’s user-friendly features and tools have simplified the development process and enabled developers to unleash their creativity and create outstanding applications with ease. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can unlock endless possibilities and unleash your creativity through coding using C++ in Microsoft Visual Studio 2019.