Run C++ in command prompt - Windows

Question

I know that everyone uses an IDE nowadays, but I just find it simpler to write my code in notepad++, compile it using a command prompt command, and run it from there too. At least that works for Java and Python. I've tried to get my head around how to do that with C++, and haven't been able to find anything good. Is there any compiler (like Java's JDK) that I can stick into my path and use the C++ equivalent of javac and java to run and compile my code from CMD?

Note: please don't post answers and comments about how IDEs are better - I know they are. I'm just used to doing it the old way :D

Answer 1

Steps to perform the task:

1. First, download and install the compiler.

2. Then, type the C/C++ program and save it.

3. Then, open the command line and change directory to the particular one where the source file is stored, using cd like so:

   cd C:\Documents and Settings\...
   

4. Then, to compile, type in the command prompt:

   gcc sourcefile_name.c -o outputfile.exe
   

5. Finally, to run the code, type:

   outputfile.exe
   

Answer 2

If you're running Windows then make use of this:

g++ -o program program.cpp

g++ is the name of the compiler and -o is the option needed for creating a .o file. Program (without .cpp suffix) is the exe file and program.cpp is your source file that you want to compile.

g++ -o program program.cpp&program.exe

Use this shortcut to run the .exe file of the program. This might run in Linux but you may have to use .out suffix instead of .exe. Use this handy batch script to execute your programs on Windows:

@echo off&&cls
set /p pathName=Enter The Path where the file is located:%=%
cd %pathName%
REM set /p exec=Enter The Name of the executable you want to make:%=%
set /p file=Enter The Name of the file you want to compile:%=%
g++ -o %file% %file%.cpp
%file%.exe

save it as cppExecutor.bat

Also you could use the following commands on Unix (Linux and Mac) OS:

CC program.cc

If you want to use gcc:

gcc -o program program.cpp

With the shortcut:

gcc -o program program.cpp&program.exe

Answer 3

It depends on what compiler you're using.

For example, if you are using Visual C++ .NET 2010 Express, run Visual C++ 2010 Express Command Prompt from the start menu, and you can simply compile and run the code.

> cl /EHsc mycode.cpp
> mycode.exe

or from the regular command line, you can run vcvars32.bat first to set up the environment. Alternatively search for setvcvars.cmd (part of a FLOSS project) and use that to even locate the installed VS and have it call vcvars32.bat for you.

Please check your compiler's manual for command lines.

Answer 4

Sure, it's how most compilers got started. GCC is probably the most popular (comes with most flavors of *nix). Syntax is just gcc my_source_code.cpp, or gcc -o my_executable.exe my_source_code.cpp. It gets more complicated, of course, when you have multiple source files (as in implementation; anything #included works automatically as long as GCC can find it).

MinGW appears to be a version of GCC for Windows, if that's what you're using. I haven't tried it though.

Pretty sure most IDEs also include a command line interface. I know Visual Studio does, though I have never used it.

Answer 5

I really don't see what your problem is, the question is rather unspecific. Given Notepad++ I assume you use Windows.

You have so many options here, from the MinGW (using the GCC tool chain and GNU make) to using a modern MSVC. You can use the WDK (ddkbuild.bat/.cmd or plain build.exe), the Windows SDK (nmake.exe), other tools such as premake and CMake, or msbuild that comes with MSVC and the Windows SDK.

I mean the compiler names will differ, cl.exe for MSVC and the WDK and Windows SDK, gcc.exe for MinGW, but even from the console it is customary to organize your project in some way. This is what make and friends were invented for after all.

So to know the command line switches of your particular compiler consult the manual of that very compiler. To find ways to automate your build (i.e. the ability to run a simple command instead of a complex command line), you could sift through the list on Wikipedia or pick one of the tools I mentioned above and go with that.

Side-note: it isn't necessary to ask people not to mention IDEs. Most professional developers have automated their builds to run from a command line and not from within the IDE (as during the development cycle for example), because there are so many advantages to that approach.

Answer 6

1. Download MinGW form : https://sourceforge.net/projects/mingw-w64/
2. use notepad++ to write the C++ source code.
3. using command line change the directory/folder where the source code is saved(using notepad++)
4. compile: g++ file_name.cpp -o file_name.exe
5. run the executable: file_name.exe

Answer 7

• first Command is :

g++ -o program file_name.cpp

• Second command is :

.\program.exe

Let us Check this image

Answer 8

A better alternative to MinGW is bash for powershell. You can install bash for Windows 10 using the steps given here

After you've installed bash, all you've got to do is run the bash command on your terminal.

PS F:\cpp> bash
user@HP:/mnt/f/cpp$ g++ program.cpp -o program
user@HP:/mnt/f/cpp$ ./program

Answer 9

Open cmd and go In Directory where file is saved. Then, For compile, g++ FileName. cpp Or gcc FileName. cpp

For Run, FileName. exe

This Is For Compile & Run Program.

Make sure, gcc compiler installed in PC or Laptop. And also path variable must be set.

Answer 10

This is what I used on MAC.

Use your preferred compiler.

Compile with gcc.

gcc -lstdc++ filename.cpp -o outputName

Or Compile with clang.

clang++ filename.cpp -o outputName

After done compiling. You can run it with.

./outputFile

Answer 11

have MinGW compiler bin directory added to path.

use mingw32-g++ -s -c source_file_name.cpp -o output_file_name.o to compile

then mingw32-g++ -o executable_file_name.exe output_file_name.o to build exe

finally, you run with executable_file_name.exe

Answer 12

[Working 100%] from a Windows user. Open the terminal(powershell) where your file.cpp is created.

1. g++ file.cpp //it will compile the file into a.exe
2. .\a.exe //this will run the program.

Answer 13

There are few ways:

Using GNU Compiler Collection (GCC):

gcc -lstdc++ filename.cpp -o outputName

Using g++ command:

g++ -o outputName filename.cpp

Using clang++:

clang++ filename.cpp -o outputName

Answer 14

You can run your code by just typing

To Compile g++ file_name.cpp

To Run: a

only this you have to do to run c++ code in cmd which is written in notepad++

enter image description here

enter image description here