Introduction to the C++ Development Environment

In-browser IDE

This course was recorded using a web-based code editor and runtime environment called Replit (https://replit.com/). There is no setup required to follow along with the lessons and code the solution for yourself using Replit.

Local IDE

At Zenva, we have found that setting up a local development environment in C++ can be rather complex when you are just starting, which is why we recommend using Replit for this course. If you prefer to set up and use a local development environment on your computer - for the course lessons and your projects - we provide instructions for both Windows and Mac (just before the "Conclusion" lesson).

Please note that setting up the local development environment requires a bit of effort since there are multiple steps required for not only installing the IDE you choose (ex. Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Eclipse) but also the C++ compiler. Additionally, you may also need to set environment variables or specific settings in the IDE for code completion to function and run/compile the executable.

Note: the instructions provided in the following "C++ Local Development Environment - Windows" lesson is applicable only to Windows 10. While other versions of Windows can have a C++ compiler and IDE installed on them, the steps will differ from this lesson.

Completion Certificate

If you are not interested in setting up a local development environment, we recommend that you still mark the local installation lessons as "completed". Whichever you choose, the core learning outcomes from following along with the lessons remain the same. Have fun!