**Course Title:** Modern C++ Programming: Mastering C++ with Best Practices and Advanced Techniques **Section Title:** Introduction to C++ and Environment Setup **Topic:** Install and set up a C++ IDE, write and compile your first C++ program.(Lab topic) **Overview:** In this lab, you will learn how to install and set up a C++ Integrated Development Environment (IDE) on your computer. You will then write, compile, and run your first C++ program. By the end of this lab, you will have a solid understanding of the basics of C++ programming and be ready to move on to more advanced topics. **Software Used:** * **Visual Studio** (Windows): https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/ * **CLion** (Windows, macOS, Linux): https://www.jetbrains.com/clion/download/ * **VSCode** (Windows, macOS, Linux): https://code.visualstudio.com/download * **GCC Compiler** (Windows, macOS, Linux): https://gcc.gnu.org/install/ **Installing a C++ IDE:** ### Step 1: Download the IDE Choose an IDE that you want to install. Click on the link above and follow the prompts to download the IDE. ### Step 2: Install the IDE Run the installer and follow the prompts to install the IDE. Make sure to select the "C++" option during the installation process. ### Step 3: Launch the IDE Once the installation is complete, launch the IDE. You should see a new window with a menu bar, a toolbar, and a code editor. **Creating Your First C++ Project:** ### Step 1: Create a New Project * **Visual Studio:** Go to "File" > "New" > "Project..." and select "C++" under the "Installed" > "Visual C++" category. Choose "Console App (C++ Console Application)" and click "OK". * **CLion:** Go to "File" > "New Project..." and select "C++ Executable" under the "C++" category. Choose a project name and location, and click "Finish". * **VSCode:** Go to "File" > "New File" and save the file with a `.cpp` extension. Then, go to the "Explorer" panel, right-click on the file, and select "New Folder" to create a new project folder. **Writing Your First C++ Program:** Create a new file with a `.cpp` extension in your project folder. Then, copy the following code and paste it into the file: ```cpp #include <iostream> int main() { std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl; return 0; } ``` **Compiling Your C++ Program:** ### Step 1: Compile the Program * **Visual Studio:** Go to "Build" > "Build Solution" or press `F7`. * **CLion:** Go to "Build" > "Build Project" or press `Shift+F9`. * **VSCode:** You can install a third-party extension to compile the program. Recommended: "C/C++ Compile Run" https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=danielpinto8zz6.cpp-compile-run. **Running Your C++ Program:** ### Step 1: Run the Program * **Visual Studio:** Go to "Debug" > "Start Debugging" or press `F5`. * **CLion:** Go to "Run" > "Run..." or press `Shift+F10`. * **VSCode:** Use the "C/C++ Compile Run" extension to run the program. **Output:** You should see the following output in the console: ``` Hello, World! ``` **Conclusion:** Congratulations on installing a C++ IDE and writing your first C++ program. You now have a solid understanding of the basics of C++ programming. You can practice modifying the program to print different messages or perform basic calculations. **What's Next:** In the next topic, we will cover "Built-in data types and structures (arrays, strings, pointers)". This topic will provide a detailed explanation of the built-in data types in C++ and how to use them. **Ask for Help:** If you have any questions or need help with the exercise, you can ask them here.