Before we can write our first program (which we will do very soon), we need to know two things about development environments.
First, although our programs will be written inside .cpp files, the .cpp files themselves will be added to a project. Some IDEs call projects “workspaces”, or “solutions”. The project stores the names of all the code files we want to compile, and also saves various IDE settings. Every time we reopen the project, it will restore the state of the IDE to where we left off. When we choose to compile our program, the project tells the compiler and linker which files to compile and link. It is worth noting that project files for one IDE will not work in another IDE.
Second, there are different kinds of projects. When you create a new project, you will have to pick a project type. All of the projects that we will create in this tutorial will be console projects. A console project means that we are going to create programs that can be run from the dos or linux command-line. By default, console applications have no graphical user interface (GUI) and are compiled into stand-alone executable files. This is perfect for learning C++, because it keeps the complexity to a minimum.
Traditionally, the first program programmers write in a new language is the infamous hello world program, and we aren’t going to deprive you of that experience! You’ll thank us later. Maybe.
A quick note about examples containing code
Starting with this lesson, you will see many examples of C++ code presented. Most of these examples will look something like this:
#include <iostream>
int main()
{
using namespace std;
cout << "Hello world!" << endl;
return 0;
}
If you select the code from these examples with your mouse and then copy/past it into your compiler, you will also get the line numbers, which you will have to strip out manually. Instead, click the “copy to clipboard” link at the top of the example. This will copy the code to your clipboard without the line numbers, which you can then paste into your compiler without any editing required.
Visual Studio 2005 Express
To create a new project in Visual Studio 2005 Express, go to the File menu, and select New -> Project. A dialog box will pop up that looks like this:
Select the Win32 project type, and Win32 Console Application will automatically be selected for you. In the Name field, you will enter the name of your program. Type in HelloWorld. In the Location field, pick a directory that you would like your project to be placed into. We recommend you place them in a subdirectory off of your C drive, such as C:\VC2005Projects. Click OK, and then Finish.
On the left side, in the Solution Explorer, Visual Studio has created a number of files for you, including stdafx.h, HelloWorld.cpp, and stdafx.cpp.
In the text editor, you will see that VC2005 has already created some code for you. Select and delete the _tmain function, and then type/copy the following into your compiler:
#include "stdafx.h"
#include <iostream>
int main()
{
std::cout << "Hello world!" << std::endl;
return 0;
}
What you end up with should look like this:
To compile your program, either press F7 or go to the Build menu and choose “Build Solution”. If all goes well, you should see the following appear in the Output window:
This means your compile was successful!
To run your compiled program, press ctrl-F5, or go the Debug menu and choose “Start Without Debugging”. You will see the following:
That is the result of your program!
Important note to Visual Studio users: Visual studio programs should ALWAYS begin with the following line:
#include "stdafx.h"
Otherwise you will receive a compiler warning, such as c:\test\test.cpp(21) : fatal error C1010: unexpected end of file while looking for precompiled header directive
Alternately, you can turn off precompiled headers. However, using precompiled headers will make your program compile much faster, so we recommend leaving them on unless you are developing a cross-platform program.
The example programs we show you throughout the tutorial will not include this line, because it is specific to your compiler.
Code::Blocks
To create a new project in Code::Blocks, go to the File menu, and select New Project. A dialog box will pop up that looks like this:
Select Console Application and press the Create button.
You will be asked to save your project. You can save it wherever you wish, though we recommend you save it in a subdirectory off of the C drive, such as C:\CBProjects. Name the project HelloWorld.
You will see “Console Application” under the default workspace:
Open the tree under “Console Application”, open “Sources”, and double click on “main.cpp”. You will see that the hello world program has already been written for you!
To build your project, press ctrl-F9, or go to the Build menu and choose “Build”. If all goes well, you should see the following appear in the Build log window:
This means your compile was successful!
To run your compiled program, press ctrl-F10, or go the Build menu and choose “Run”. You will see something similar to the following:
That is the result of your program!
Using a command-line based compiler
Paste the following into a text file named HelloWorld.cpp:
#include <iostream>
int main()
{
using namespace std;
cout << "Hello world!" << endl;
return 0;
}
From the command line, type:
g++ -o HelloWorld HelloWorld.cpp
This will compile and link HelloWorld.cpp. To run it, type:
HelloWorld (or possibly .\HelloWorld), and you will see the output of your program.
Other IDEs
You will have to figure out how to do the following on your own:
1) Create a console project
2) Add a .cpp file to the project (if necessary)
3) Paste the following code into the file:
#include <iostream>
int main()
{
using namespace std;
cout << "Hello world!" << endl;
return 0;
}
4) Compile the project
5) Run the project
If compiling fails
If compiling the above program fails, check to ensure that you’ve typed or pasted the code in correctly. The compiler’s error message may give you a clue as to where or what the problem is.
If you are using a much older C++ compiler, the compiler may give an error about not understanding how to include iostream. If this is the case, try the following program instead:
#include <iostream.h>
int main()
{
cout << "Hello world!" << endl;
return 0;
}
In this case, you should upgrade your compiler to something more compliant with recent standards.
If your program runs but the window closes immediately
This is an issue with some compilers, such as Bloodshed’s Dev-C++. We present a solution to this problem in lesson 0.7 — a few common cpp problems.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you made it through the hardest part of this tutorial (installing the IDE and compiling your first program)! You are now ready to learn C++!
 0.7 — A few common C++ problems
|
 Index
|
 0.5 — Installing an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
|
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This has got to be the best C++ programming website that I have been to.
Finally, someone knows how to teach the new generation of programmers. :)
Props.
I can’t find my compiler on visual c++ 2008 express edition
i got a problem compiling
#include "stdafx.h" #include <iostream> init main() { std::cout<< "Hello World!" <<std::endl; return 0; }but when i compile i get
1>—— Build started: Project: HelloWorld, Configuration: Debug Win32 ——
1>Compiling…
1>HelloWorld.cpp
1>.\HelloWorld.cpp(7) : error C2146: syntax error : missing ‘;’ before identifier ‘main’
1>.\HelloWorld.cpp(7) : error C4430: missing type specifier – int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
1>.\HelloWorld.cpp(8) : error C4430: missing type specifier – int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
1>Build log was saved at “file://c:\Users\Keith\Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\HelloWorld\HelloWorld\Debug\BuildLog.htm”
1>HelloWorld – 3 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========
never mind i fixed it
question is at bottem of page
its because if you see
init main() is suppose to be int main()
Hi I saw some of people have same problem which I have.
Please an you explain in visual studio 2008 "Code::Blocks"
Thanks you..
Is the “std::endl” or “endl” necessary after cout as in
int main() { std::cout << "Hello Alex!" << std::endl; return 0; }??
i need help i got the Microsoft visual basic 2008 express edition i tryed to program this and it wouldn’t let me and im lost as to how to fix it wont make the files you said it wold and i cant figure out how to make them someone help
wow c++ is a bit differnt than C
im having a major problem…it compiles and is fine but when i hit start without debug or Start Debugging it comes up with this “Unable to start program”, “This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Review the manifest file for possible errors. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem….”,what am i doing wrong, i have checked the code over and over, please help me alex
Im also getting a Side By Side configuration error, im completely new at C++ soo i have no idea what that means
i made big
Hello
I am using Visual C++ Express to write “Hello World” and it created a 6.10 MB ! directory. Is that the NORMAL size for a compiled prog. ?
Hey, I am trying to use xcode but I am not sure what to do, I chose the coca type and everything looks like .app not .cpp what do I do?
Arn,
I am using Xcode as well and I went to File>New Project>Command Line Utility (On the left)>C++ Tool. That is in .cpp
I can’t get the Hello World to work right now. We can go through this together and help each other out since we are both using Xcode if you would like. Send me your email if you’re interested.
After reading many comments you are the only person I see using Xcode.
-Alex
Hey Alex my email is imacrocks at gmail .com
Hey Alex, i’m new to programming and by new I mean the only experience I’ve had is downloading a portable cpp. Anyway I was confused, apparently I am using devcpp, [portable] and I was just wondering if these codes are the same or different for my version, because I am extremely confused.
hey Alex my email is imacrocks@gmail.com hope we get this sorted out
.
Thanks for making this tutorial so detailed and easy to follow!
I’ve heard that beginners learn BASIC then they can learn C, or sometime BASIC then C++
thats what they said in programming summer camp
I’m having trouble. I’m using the 2008 express edition, but where you wrote :”On the left side, in the Solution Explorer, Visual Studio has created a number of files for you, including stdafx.h, HelloWorld.cpp, and stdafx.cpp.”
I am not seeing this when I start a new project. I chose New Project, then Console Application and just a blank screen with no files comes up. I even went under Save AS and tried to save it as HelloWorld, but nothing happened. Please help. Or at least provide a link to the 2005 version.
hello all…i have a small bit of a problem. if I copy code from the clipboard, it works fine, but if I type it in myself, it dosen’t work…like this :
#include <iostream> int main() { using namespace std; cout << "Hello world!" << endl; return 0; }this is the site’s version.
and this :
the above version dosen’t work. it keeps telling me :
1>—— Build started: Project: niimc, Configuration: Debug Win32 ——
1>Compiling…
1>niimc.cpp
1>c:\documents and settings\peanut\my documents\visual studio 2008\projects\learning\niimc\niimc.cpp(9) : error C2059: syntax error : ‘using’
1>c:\documents and settings\peanut\my documents\visual studio 2008\projects\learning\niimc\niimc.cpp(9) : error C2143: syntax error : missing ‘)’ before ‘;’
1>c:\documents and settings\peanut\my documents\visual studio 2008\projects\learning\niimc\niimc.cpp(10) : error C2143: syntax error : missing ‘;’ before ‘<c:\documents and settings\peanut\my documents\visual studio 2008\projects\learning\niimc\niimc.cpp(10) : error C4430: missing type specifier – int assumed. Note: C++ does not support default-int
1>c:\documents and settings\peanut\my documents\visual studio 2008\projects\learning\niimc\niimc.cpp(11) : error C2059: syntax error : ‘return’
1>c:\documents and settings\peanut\my documents\visual studio 2008\projects\learning\niimc\niimc.cpp(13) : error C2059: syntax error : ‘)’
1>Build log was saved at “file://c:\Documents and Settings\Peanut\My Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\learning\niimc\Debug\BuildLog.htm”
1>niimc – 6 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========
i used a different name for the project, but i don’t think that’s the problem…so…anyone? please mail me to masthema@gmail.com if you can see what’s wrong.
First, you have the word “count” instead of “cout”.
Second, after “int main()”, you must start the line out with a curly brace { and end it with a curly brace }.
You’re using an open parentheses ( and a close parentheses ).
in the visual c++ it says /copy the following into ur compiler
how to open the compiler
thnx
and please answer me quickly
how to open my compiler?
At first I thought I was stupid and would never learn about computers, than I finally realized that there were supposed to be pictures. Now that the pictures loaded the whole thing makes perfect sense :).
I hav everything working. I’m using Code::Blocks and visual studio 2008. However in the .06 sections. I don’t understand where the command line text file is. Thanks
I am using Code::Blocks to compile this, and I was wondering what compiler to choose and if I should worry about “Debug Configuration” and “Release Configuration”? I’m guessing Code::Blocks has a new version because “New Project” brings me through a different process; Project Type(Console App) => C or C++ (C++) => File name and destination (Helloworld.cbp, a folder in Documents) => Compiler and Configurations (set to “GNU GCC Compiler” and both configurations are checked with assorted output folder names) => Done. Other than the fact that it doesn’t fill in the “Build” box at the bottom, I’m not having any problems, just that I wanted to know what to do about those options and what they were for.
i have just started to use c++visual 6. i would like to know the explanation of different types of files found by me saved till the the program is executed–the project name is ‘triangular’
1)triangular HTML document 2kb
2)triangular.dsw Project Workspace 1kb
3)triangular NCB File 41kb
4)triangular.dsp Project File 5kb
5)triangular.opt OPT File 53KB
6)trinum.cpp C++ SOURCE File iKB–THE NAME OF THE FILE BEING ‘trinum’
i want to know significance of creation of each of this
thanks prabhakar
Hi, I’m learning C++ because I wanted to learn a language that would give me more power than DM does.
Sadly, this also means that the language will be more compilcated, which means, unlike whith DM, I will
not have a game up and running withen minutes. It also means that I will have to studie more, and I do
not have time to be online all day, I have school work to do, so I would like to know if there is a
pdf that I could download so I can studie it even when I’m offline. Is there?
Just starting out and I’m really not sure what I’m doing. I downloaded Visual Studio 2010 and the interface seemed similar enough for me to handle, but when I try to build it fails.
Here’s what I have:
// HelloWorld.cpp : Defines the entry point for the console application. // #include "stdafx.h" #include <iostream> int main() { std::cout << "Hello world!" <<std::endl; return 0; }and I get this:
—— Build started: Project: HelloWorld, Configuration: Debug Win32 ——
Build started 1/7/2010 10:16:13 PM.
_PrepareForBuild:
Touching “Debug\HelloWorld.unsuccessfulbuild”.
ClCompile:
All outputs are up-to-date.
HelloWorld.cpp
c:\users\sandi\documents\visual studio 2010\projects\helloworld\helloworld\helloworld.cpp(4): fatal error C1859: ‘Debug\HelloWorld.pch’ unexpected precompiled header error, simply rerunning the compiler might fix this problem
Build FAILED.
Time Elapsed 00:00:00.61
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========
Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong?
Hi, I’m new, and this is as far as I’ve got up to now, but just wondering if you selected the win32 at the start of your project. I’m using VS2008 and notice there are more choices than are shown here for VS2005. maybe VS2010 has even more.
It looks like its looking for a different precompiled header
Hey guys, if you r using DevCpp, use system("PAUSE"); to see the output window. I did not checked anyone mentioned or not. May be helpful.... Alex you are doing the wonderful job man, through this tutorial...... Keep it up.........Hello.
I was wondering, what is the difference start without debugging and start debugging?
When click start without debugging, my HelloWorld program runs fine. However, when i simply click debug or start debugging, the black screen comes onto the screen and quickly disappears. Why is this?
Thanks
Great tutorial. Thanks a lot for the whole work.
In the section “Using a command-line based compiler”
There is a typo in the next line.
HelloWorld (or possibly .\HelloWorld), and you will see the output of your program.
.\HelloWorld should be ./HelloWorld
Thanks.
hey all i get this error message :( any ideas > Project : error PRJ0003 : Error spawning ‘cmd.exe’.
Thanks for the easy-to-understand stuff!!
When I compiled (code::blocks) I got the error-message: /bin/sh: g++: not found
What does that mean?
Thanks
Hey, for those using XCode I figured it out.
1. Open XCode.
2. File/New Project…
3. In the “New Project” Assistant, click on “Command Line Tool”.
4. Below select “C++ Tool” as Type
5. Click “Next”
6. Give a project name and directory, then click “Finish”.
7. Press Cmd-Shift-R to open the Console window. Output will appear there.
8. Click the “Build and Go” toolbar button.
Hi,
I am trying to do it in gedit and then g++ in terminal, using Ubuntu, but cannot get the programme running, says: HelloWorld is not installed
Any idea?
Hay im having the same error! Help us!
Thank you
when i try to run the program it just looks like this:
‘first attempts.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\c++ projects\hello world\Debug\first attempts.exe’, Symbols loaded.
‘first attempts.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntdll.dll’
‘first attempts.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\system32\kernel32.dll’
‘first attempts.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.VC90.DebugCRT_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30729.1_x-ww_f863c71f\msvcr90d.dll’
‘first attempts.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.VC90.DebugCRT_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30729.1_x-ww_f863c71f\msvcp90d.dll’
The program ‘[5580] first attempts.exe: Native’ has exited with code 0 (0×0).
anyone can help???
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i coped the code exactly and when i run it the command line blinks open for half a sec and it says hello word! and then it bails out and i dont want to try to continue till i know what going on it work when i use code block but not when using Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express
‘hello world.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\Documents and Settings\jacob\Desktop\New Folder\hello world\Debug\hello world.exe’, Cannot find or open the PDB file
‘hello world.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntdll.dll’, Cannot find or open the PDB file
‘hello world.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\system32\kernel32.dll’, Cannot find or open the PDB file
‘hello world.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\system32\msvcp100d.dll’, Symbols loaded.
‘hello world.exe’: Loaded ‘C:\WINDOWS\system32\msvcr100d.dll’, Symbols loaded.
The program ‘[3172] hello world.exe: Native’ has exited with code 0 (0×0).
In running from a command line compiler, you have “type HelloWorld (or possibly .\HelloWorld) to run”. Well you must be a windows developer, linux doesn’t use \ for very much outside of strings. You will almost certainly have to type ./HelloWorld. Also, 99% of these errors people have when learning will be eliminated by learning C++ using gEdit in ubuntu. Doing this kind of stuff from visual studio has a gigantic learning curve just to learn the IDE.
hahahahaha, i conquered “helloworld” after about the tenth attempt. thank you.
In some examples you show the line numbers and in some you don’t. “Hello World” worked fine for me using Vis Basic 2010, but I haven’t seen any line numbers so far in working with it. How can I view the line numbers?
Go to Tools;Options;Texteditor;c/c++; Under display click the box “Line Numbers”
Fal, gedit in ubuntu is definitely the way to go.
Note to linux users. To run the executable you have compiled, type “./executable_program” for a program in your current working directory. Otherwise you’ll need type in the complete path, something like “/home/path_to_programming_workspace/executable_program”.
When I debug for the application, it comes up and goes away. I think it might be a problem with C++ studio 2010? or what I am not to sure…. couple of us have that question .. please halp.
hello, i am using codeblocks to make a program, but whenever i click F9 to compile it doesn’t work, it says that there is nothing to be done, where there is something to be done, its just a simple printf and scanf insert numbers, and it doesnt compile i even went to settings, compile and debugger and no idea what\s going on, can somebody help me??
its a Mac by the way
Thanks
I am having a bit of trouble…I tried both
#include <iostream> int main() { using namespace std; cout << "Hello world!" << endl; return 0; }and
#include "stdafx.h" #include <iostream> int main() { std::cout << "Hello world!" << std::endl; return 0; }and I keep getting
in the output. I am very confused. It doesn’t seem to want to let me continue till whatever has gone wrong is fixed…
I am using windows and using Visual C++ 2008 Express if it helps
I’m using Eclipse and its tutorial for the Hello World program, but I can’t build it.
I get 4 warnings:
-Error launching external scanner info generator (g++ -E -P -v -dD /Users/nikitahaduong/Documents/workspace/.metadata/.plugins/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/specs.cpp)
-Error launching external scanner info generator (g++ -E -P -v -dD /Users/nikitahaduong/Documents/workspace/.metadata/.plugins/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/specs.cpp)
-Error launching external scanner info generator (g++ -E -P -v -dD /Users/nikitahaduong/Documents/workspace/.metadata/.plugins/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/specs.cpp)
-Error launching external scanner info generator (g++ -E -P -v -dD /Users/nikitahaduong/Documents/workspace/.metadata/.plugins/org.eclipse.cdt.make.core/specs.cpp)
and all of them indicate the error in line 1. Also, in line 9 I get an orange box with a question mark saying:
unresolved inclusion
In the console it says:
**** Clean-only build of configuration Debug for project Hello World ****
(Cannot run program “make”: Unknown reason)
**** Build of configuration Debug for project Hello World ****
(Cannot run program “make”: Unknown reason)
before the attempt to build and
**** Build of configuration Debug for project Hello World ****
(Cannot run program “make”: Unknown reason)
after the attempt to build.
The 4 warnings are there right as the project is created.
This is the project that comes with the Eclipse.
couldn’t get to the run part?
hey alex nice tutorials :) easy to follow and understand ! ^.^
#include <iostream> int main() { using namespace std; cout << "Hello world!" << endl; cin.get(); return 0; }Pretty simple remembre endl is ENDL not the number one
I entered the code as you did but got errors for iostream and cout and endl
here is what I used instead
{printf("Hello world\n");to compile it i typed in gcc -o random random.c
and to run it i typed ./random
I’m using Fedora 12 and i’m using vim to write my code. So my guess is that I don’t have Iostream, and the printf replaces cout and the \n replaces endl and the << are replaced with ()
is that correct? and I don't put that using namespace std; in there at all, becuase if i do it gives me errors. I'm just the latest GCC. I just downloaded it about 3 hrs ago.
Just curious
Seth Bladen, what program are you using.
GCC, but I don’t have the iostream library, any ideas where or how to get it?
Fixed it. I need to compile with g++, but I didn’t have g++. I installed ccache and gcc-g++ and got it to work.