Fortunately, Visual C++ installs shortcuts for you to launch developer command prompts that have the environment set up for command line builds. You need a developer command prompt window, which is a regular command prompt window that has all the required environment variables set. You can't use Visual C++ in a plain command prompt window without some preparation. Visual C++ has complex requirements for the command-line environment to find the tools, headers, and libraries it uses. In the Visual Studio installer, select the C++ build tools workload, and choose Install.īefore you can build a C or C++ program on the command line, you must verify that the tools are installed, and that you can access them from the command line.

To install only the command-line toolset, download Build Tools for Visual Studio from the Visual Studio downloads page and run the installer. It's perfect for build labs or classroom exercises and installs relatively quickly. The Build Tools for Visual Studio version of Visual Studio installs only the command-line toolset, the compilers, tools, and libraries you need to build C and C++ programs. For information on these features and how to download and install Visual Studio, including the free Visual Studio Community edition, see Install Visual Studio. Visual Studio is a powerful integrated development environment that supports a full-featured editor, resource managers, debuggers, and compilers for many languages and platforms. To complete this walkthrough, you must have installed either Visual Studio and the optional Visual C++ components, or the Build Tools for Visual Studio. If you'd like to try the Visual Studio IDE instead of using the command line, see Walkthrough: Working with Projects and Solutions (C++) or Using the Visual Studio IDE for C++ Desktop Development.

If you'd rather work in C++ on the command line, see Walkthrough: Compiling a Native C++ Program on the Command Line. This walkthrough shows how to create a basic, 'Hello, World'-style C program by using a text editor, and then compile it on the command line. Visual C++ includes a C compiler that you can use to create everything from basic console programs to full Windows Desktop applications, mobile apps, and more.

Compiling code