Creating an Executable File with Visual Studio 2019 and C++

If you’re looking to create an executable (.exe) file with Visual Studio 2019 and C++, it’s actually not that difficult. Essentially, there are three basic steps to follow:

Step 1: Setting Up Your Project

The first thing you need to do is set up a new project. This involves:

• Opening Visual Studio 2019 and selecting “Create a new project” from the “Getting Started” screen.
• Selecting the type of application you want to create (e.g., a console application or a Windows Forms application).
• Selecting the language as C++ and target platform according to your need.
• Choosing a location for your project and giving it a name.
• Clicking “Create.”

Step 2: Writing Your Code

Once you’ve set up your new project, it’s time to write your code. You can do this by:

• Starting with the file inside the Source Files folder named Source.cpp, which contains a basic “Hello World” program.
• Writing your code in that file or creating new source files and adding them to your project.
• Ensuring your code is syntactically correct and error-free.

Step 3: Building and Debugging Your Code

After you’ve written your code, it’s time to compile and link it to create your executable (.exe) file. You’ll also want to test and debug your code to ensure it works correctly. Here’s how:

• To build and create your executable file, click “Build” and select “Build Solution” (or press Ctrl + Shift + B).
• To debug your code, place breakpoints in your code and monitor values of variables. Then select “Debug” and click on “Start Debugging” (or press F5).
• To run your executable file, open the folder where the .exe file was created, double-click on the file to launch it, and see the output generated by the program.

Ultimately, creating an executable file with Visual Studio 2019 and C++ is straightforward if you follow these simple steps. Just remember to keep your source code organized and well-documented for future reference!