Understand compilers, set up an IDE, and learn the development workflow.
To start programming in C++, you need two essential tools: a text editor to write your code and a compiler to translate it into a program your computer can run. While you can use any basic text editor, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is highly recommended. An IDE combines a text editor with other useful tools, such as a compiler, a debugger, and a project builder, into a single application. Popular IDEs for C++ include Visual Studio (Windows), Xcode (macOS), CLion (cross-platform), and the lightweight yet powerful Visual Studio Code with C++ extensions. The compiler is the core component that processes your source code (the `.cpp` files you write). It checks your code for syntax errors and, if everything is correct, converts it into machine code, creating an executable file. The most common C++ compilers are GCC (GNU Compiler Collection, which includes g++), Clang, and MSVC (Microsoft Visual C++). The basic development workflow consists of three main steps: 1. **Write:** You write your C++ code in a `.cpp` file using your editor or IDE. 2. **Compile:** You use a compiler to transform your `.cpp` file into an executable. For example, in a terminal, you might run the command `g++ my_program.cpp -o my_program`. This tells the `g++` compiler to compile `my_program.cpp` and create an executable file named `my_program`. 3. **Run:** You execute the compiled program by typing its name in the terminal, for example, `./my_program`. This workflow is fundamental to C++ development.