Perplexed and Bursting: Installing a C Compiler in Visual Studio

Introduction

So, you’re a programmer or developer looking for a popular integrated development environment (IDE) that can help you manage and write your code effectively. Well, Visual Studio might be the perfect solution for you! One of the many essential features for developers is the power to compile one’s code into an executable format for running on a computer. In this article, we’ll be giving you a step-by-step guide to install one of the most important compilers, the C compiler, in Visual Studio.

Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Installation of Visual Studio

Do you have Visual Studio already installed? No problem, let’s first download and install it onto your computer. Visit the Visual Studio website and download the installer that suits your operating system as the first step.

Step 2: Selecting the C++ Desktop Development Workload

After installing Visual Studio, launch the program, and then click on “Create a new project”. An array of project types will be displayed to you in a window. At this step, look for the C++ desktop development workload option and click on it.

Step 3: Selection of Components

Now you can move to the components selection phase. Choose the components you would love to install for C++ development. Crucially, ensure you have selected the “VC++ 2019 v142 build tools” option, which is essential for installing the C compiler into Visual Studio.

Step 4: Install the Selected Components

After you have selected all the necessary components, click on the install button to start installing the chosen components. Bear in mind that this process might take some time, so make sure you have a stable internet connection to complete the installation. Additionally, you may need to restart Visual Studio after installation completion.

Step 5: Create and Compile the C Program

Now that you’ve successfully installed the C compiler, you’re good to get started on a C program. Navigate to the “File” tab and choose “New” to create a new project. At this instance, choose a C++ project template that will provide all the required settings for C programming. You can then rename your project to your preference.

After creating a C++ project, your next step should be to create a new source code file. You can achieve this by navigating to the “Solution Explorer” tab, which is on the right side of the window. Right-click on the project name, select “Add,” and then click on “New Item.” A new window appears! Select the “Visual C++” option and choose the source file option. You can then name your source file accordingly.

The final step is now upon you. It is time to write some C code, compile it, and see the results. For instance, you can write a simple program that prints out “Hello World” to the console. After writing the code, save the file, and then click on “Build Solution” in the “Build” menu. The system will automatically compile your program and show any errors or warnings in the process.

Conclusion

Now you know that for your C coding projects, Visual Studio can be one of the greatest platforms to consider for compiling C code. The process is relatively straightforward: select the C++ desktop development workload, choose the necessary components (don’t forget the C compiler!), create a C program, and finally compile it as you deserve. Go ahead and enjoy utilizing Visual Studio for all your compiler needs!