C++ Setup

Windows 11 Professional Edition or MacBook Pro.

Windows users follow these instructions:

1. Download and install Visual Studio Code for Windows 10/11.  See https://code.visualstudio.com/download.
2. Download and install MinGW. See https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw. Follow steps up to and including Check your MinGW Installation. Do not do any of the additional steps.
3. Open Visual Studio Code and click the Extensions icon in the left hand panel. 
4. Type C/C++ in the search box.
5. Install the Microsoft C/C++ extension that includes IntelliSense. This should be the first Microsoft C/C++ extension listed.  
6. From the menu open File > Preferences > Settings.
7. In the Search box type "c_cpp default cpp".
8. In the C_Cpp > Default: Cpp Standard drop down box select c++20.

Mac users follow these instructions:

1. Download and install Visual Studio Code for Mac.  See https://code.visualstudio.com/download.
2. The Apple Clang compiler is probably already installed on your Mac. To verify, run: clang++ --version.  
3. The command will respond with the version of Clang you are using. Make sure the version is 17 or higher. If your version is lower than 17, then go to the next step.
4. If Clang is not found or if the version is not correct, then install Xcode command line tools:
   1. Open a Terminal.
   2. Run: xcode-select --install
   3. A dialog box will appear. Click the Install button.
   4. After the installation is complete run: clang++ --version
   5. The version will be displayed, e.g. Apple clang version 17.0.0
5. Open Visual Studio Code and click the Extensions icon in the left hand panel. 
6. Type "C/C++" in the search box.
7. Install the Microsoft C/C++ extension that includes IntelliSense. This should be the first Microsoft C/C++ extension listed. 
8. From the menu open File > Preferences > Settings.
9. In the Search box type "c_cpp default cpp".
10. In the C_Cpp > Default: Cpp Standard drop down box select c++20.