Installation Overview

This page explains how to set up your computer (or your pool account) for programming in C/C++. You need:

• a C/C++ compiler – we use GCC (on macOS the compatible Clang),
• an editor – we use Visual Studio Code.

Both programs must be installed first. Start with the installation guide for your system. Afterwards, you need to set up Visual Studio Code. If you run into problems, first check the FAQ of the guide that applies to you and the general FAQ, or ask your tutors.

1. Installing GCC and Visual Studio Code

Which guide do I need?

Your device	Guide
Your own laptop with Windows (Intel or AMD processor, "x64")	Windows, section 1a
Your own laptop with Windows on ARM (e.g. Surface Pro X, laptop with Snapdragon processor)	Windows, section 1b
Your own Mac (Intel or Apple chip M1, M2, …)	macOS
Your own laptop with Linux	Linux
TUHH pool computer running Windows	Windows pool
TUHH pool computer running Linux	Linux pool
Tablet or smartphone (iOS, Android)	Not suitable for programming – use a pool computer and talk to your tutors.

How do I find out whether my Windows computer is x64 or ARM?

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Select System and then About at the very bottom (German: Info).
3. Under System type (German: Systemtyp) it says either x64-based processor (→ section 1a) or ARM-based processor (→ section 1b).

Note

If you use Windows on ARM and run into problems during the installation, we are happy to help you in the tutorial.

All guides

Private computers

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux

Pool computers

• Windows pool
• Linux pool

2. Setting up Visual Studio Code

Note

Please complete the installation guide that applies to you first before continuing with this step!

1. Start Visual Studio Code.
2. Select a new folder. For example, ~/InfIng/Projekte/setup on Linux or H:\My Documents\InfIng\Projekte\setup on Windows.
3. Confirm that you trust the authors (Yes, I trust the authors).
4. Create and open a new file main.cpp.
5. A pop-up asks: Do you want to install the recommended extensions for C++? Confirm with Install.
6. After the installation, open the file again.
7. Click the play button in the top right corner.
8. Select the Detected Task option with your compiler, e.g. Detected Task (compiler: /usr/bin/g++) on Linux and macOS or Detected Task (compiler: C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin\g++.exe) on Windows.

FAQ and problems

If you run into problems, please first check the FAQ of the guide that applies to you and the general FAQ.