How can I create a c++ header file in Visual Studio Code? - c++

Question

I have a program with 3 files, and when IrRun the program via Code Runner it keeps printing errors.The icon for the "Log.hpp" file is C, not C++. It doesnt matter if I rename it to Log.h or anything, it seems that I cant create a c++ header file in vscode.
The 3 files are:
main.cpp
#include <iostream>
#include "log.hpp"
using namespace std;
int main() {
InitLog();
Log("Hello World");
return 0;
}
log.cpp
#include "log.hpp"
#include <iostream>
void InitLog() {
Log("Initializing Log");
}
void Log(const char *message) {
std::cout << message << std::endl;
}
log.hpp
#pragma once
void InitLog();
void Log(const char *message);
The error mesages are:
main.cpp: In function 'int main()':
main.cpp:5:5: error: 'InitLog' was not declared in this scope
InitLog();
^~~~~~~
main.cpp:6:5: error: 'Log' was not declared in this scope
Log("Hello World");
Need help.

Answer 1

Are you using Windows? Which compiler? Do you have Microsoft Build Tools installed or even Visual Studio? Are you using gcc or clang?
You must start VS Code from a developer prompt: Open a developer prompt console, navigate to the folder where you code is. Then enter
code .
Visual Studo Code will then open with the environment set up. Then open a terminal inside VSCode using Control-` and try
cl /EHsc main.cpp log.cpp
And it will create main.exe. You can run it in the terminal and it will not close... Next time you open the project you can just open the folder in VS Code, since it would then already have the json config files created
VS Code is just an IDE. So compilers must be installed and also extensions. And some JSON files and tasks must be set up. It is sometimes simple, sometimes not so simple, I believe. But doing that you will then have a powerful editor and an unbelievably flexible environment, since you can for instance run and debug code in nodejs or C or C++ or anything and even in Linux without leaving the session on your casual Windows machine.

Answer 2

Your question is about a specific vscode plugin called Code Runner. It's not really related to vscode. The way how Code Runner is designed will never work for multiple C++ source files. It's not the right tool for the job.
Perhaps you'd better off with Microsofts CMake Tools package for vscode. It does require you to create your own CMakeLists.txt file though. In your case you'd need nothing more than:
add_executable(log
main.cpp
log.cpp
)