Setup C Environment

Setting Up C Programming Environment

To write C programs, you need: (1) a Text Editor to write code and (2) a Compiler to convert your code into a working program.

Option 1: Dev-C++ — Best for Windows Beginners

1. Download from sourceforge.net/projects/orwelldevcpp
2. Install (just click Next through the steps)
3. Open Dev-C++ → File → New → Source File
4. Write your code
5. Press F11 to compile and run — done!

Option 2: VS Code + GCC — Professional Setup

# Windows: Download MinGW from mingw-w64.org
# Add C:\Program Files\mingw64\bin to PATH

# Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gcc build-essential

# macOS
brew install gcc

# Verify installation
gcc --version
# Should show: gcc (GCC) 13.x.x

Option 3: Online Compiler — Zero Installation!

Compile and Run — Terminal Commands

# Step 1: Write code in hello.c
# Step 2: Compile
gcc hello.c -o hello

# Step 3: Run (Linux/Mac)
./hello

# Step 3: Run (Windows)
hello.exe

# With warnings enabled (recommended)
gcc -Wall -Wextra hello.c -o hello