Development Environment
There are multiple ways to set up a development environment for Chemeketa CS courses. You should start with GitHub Codespaces, which runs VS Code in a web browser and already has the C++ compiler, Git, and VS Code extensions used in Chemeketa CS courses. (Step 1 below.)
You can move the same projects to your own computer later (Step 4).
Set up a development environment
- Create a project in GitHub Codespaces.
- Saving and Managing work in Codespaces: edit, build, commit, push, and submit your work.
- Install the tools on your computer when your course asks you to begin working locally.
- Clone your projects to your computer so you can continue the work you began in Codespaces.
- On Windows, install WSL when you need Linux tools such as Valgrind.
Mac and Linux students do not need WSL.
Related tasks
- Choose a project template
- Understand Worklog, commits, and pushing
- Use the terminal and compile C++ by hand
- Troubleshoot a setup problem
Use the correct compiler
| Environment | C++ compiler | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Codespaces | GCC | Start here; nothing to install |
| Windows | MinGW GCC | Native local development |
| macOS | Homebrew GCC | Local development |
| Linux | GCC | Local development |
| Windows Subsystem for Linux | GCC | Linux tools on Windows |
Native Windows and WSL use separate compilers. Installing a compiler in one environment does not install it in the other.