Can't compile code "launch: program <program_path> does not exist " - c++

Question

I have simple console application in C++ that I succeed to compile with Visual Studio.
I wanted to try Visual Studio Code so I copied the directory to the computer with Visual Studio Code installed.
I installed the C++ extension:
I put break point at the beginning and press F5 and I received an error:
launch: program 'enter program name, for example
c:\Users\student1\Desktop\ConsoleApp\a.exe' does not exist.
Of course the the program does not exist, I am compiling it in order for the code to become the program.
I followed the instruction and I went to the launch.json file:
I changed the "program" value to: "${workspaceRoot}/a.exe" instead of "enter program name, for example ${workspaceRoot}/a.exe".
But the same problem still exist.
Any idea ?

Answer 1

Spent 2 hours on this.
Ideally, VS Code shouldn't make so difficult for beginners
VS Code can give prompts for each installation, etc. automatically, in a step by step manner, like Idea editors, so that it wont be so long procedure for beginners.
Sequence of steps to do (most of the things are one time):
one time:
install a C/C++ complier, add to PATH environment variable
install C/C++ plugin for visual studio code
tell visual studio code where the compiler is and what is the short cut to build and run
these are files under ".vscode" (see below)
every project:
crate a project
build project
run project
Detailed:
One time:
Note: Point 'A' below can be skipped if you already have a compiler.
A. Install a compiler (if you don't have one already)
Example below, installs MinGW c++ compiler on Windows:
Download from here: https://sourceforge.net/p/mingw-w64/mailman/message/36103143/
1. For windows, I downloaded https://sourceforge.net/projects/mingw-w64/files/mingw-w64/mingw-w64-release/mingw-w64-v5.0.3.zip
2. unzip mingw-w64-v5.0.3.zip
3. rename unzipped folder to MinGW, Move it to C:\MinGW\
4. verify that you have "C:\MinGW\bin\gcc.exe" director/file, otherwise make necessary change to folder
B. Add your compiler to PATH environment variable
1. Add "C:\MinGW\bin" to PATH > user environment variable
2. verify gcc command works from cmd
restart your cmd
run below command in 'cmd'
where gcc
The output should be: C:\MinGW\bin\gcc.exe
C. Restart your visual studio code
1. install C/C++ plugin, as below:
From Menu
View > Extension
Search & Install below extension
C/C++
Every project:
Note: You can copy paste the .vscode folder every time
A. Create a below "myproj" folder & files, like below in below structure:
C:\myproj\myfile.cpp
C:\myproj\.vscode\
C:\myproj\.vscode\c_cpp_properties.json
C:\myproj\.vscode\launch.json
C:\myproj\.vscode\settings.json
C:\myproj\.vscode\tasks.json
B. Download & overwrite the above ((5 files)), from below link
https://github.com/manoharreddyporeddy/my-programming-language-notes/tree/master/vscode-c%2B%2B
C. Restart your visual studio/vs code
D. Open project in vs code & run project:
Drag and drop "myproj" folder into visual studio code
BUILD PROJECT: press "Ctrl + Shift + B" to build your myfile.exe
RUN PROJECT: press "Ctrl + F5" to run your myfile.exe
Thats all, hope that helped.
More info: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/cpp
Optional
To format C++ better
C++ formatting
1. Install Clang:
Download from: http://releases.llvm.org/download.html#5.0.2
I have downloaded for windows
"Pre-Built Binaries:" > Clang for Windows (64-bit) (LLVM-6.0.0-win64.exe)
2. Select Add to PATH while installing.
3. Install vs code plugin "Clang-Format" by xaver, this wraps above exe.
4. Restart visual studio code.
Note:
Issue: As of June 2018, Clang does not format the newer C++17 syntax correctly.
Solution: If so, move that code to another file/ comment & restart the vs code.
That's all. Now press Alt+Shift+F to format (similar key combination in other OS)

Answer 2

The error ".exe file does not exist" in vscode can occur because of the following reasons:
If the file name contains white spaces
If there is re-declaration of variables or other kind of compilation errors

Answer 3

This problem is mainly due file name , as per below table the name of the binary will be audioMatrixBin in windows folder not audioMatrixBin.exe, but we have to mention filename.exe here.
{
"name": "(Windows) Launch",
"type": "cppvsdbg",
"request": "launch",
"program": "audioMatrixBin.exe",
"args": ["AudioMxrMgr4Subaru.conf"],
"stopAtEntry": false,
"cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
"environment": [],
"externalConsole": true
}
]
}

Answer 4

Go to launch.json(we've encounter problem with .json file that's why we're here)
Change 'cwd' & 'miDebuggerPath' where your 'gdb' is(mine is default).
"cwd": "C:\\MinGw\\bin",
"miDebuggerPath": "C:\\MinGw\\bin\\gdb.exe"
(you can copy-paste if yours is default too).
Now run with 'gcc.exe-Build and debug active file'
(run your file with this option, this should run)

Answer 5

Make sure your "program" and "cwd" properties are actually correct. Check the path it tells you and compare with the path you want them to be.

Answer 6

BUILD your PROJECT .exe file : press "Ctrl + Shift + B" to build your example.exe

Answer 7

It seems that launch.json file needs to have the correct configs.
please check the configurations as per the below link, if you are using VS build tools
https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-msvc
or delete the launch.json file, gotoRun > Add Configuration... and then choose C++ (Windows), Choose cl.exe build and debug active file. Check the new name in launch.json and try again.

Answer 8

This video explain it very well how to setup vscode for c, I did it on Ubuntu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pjBseGfEPU
Then I use this reference to setup c++,
https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-linux
I just had to replace "command": "/usr/bin/gcc" with
"command": "/usr/bin/g++",
from the example on the video.
and you can update the label on both tasks and launch if you want it.
this is how my c++ setup ended up.
tasks.json for c++
{
// See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=733558
// for the documentation about the tasks.json format
"version": "2.0.0",
"tasks": [
{
"type": "shell",
"label": "C/C++: g++ build active file",
"command": "/usr/bin/g++",
// "command": for classic c, "command": "/usr/bin/gcc",
"args": [
"-g",
"${file}",
"-o",
"${fileDirname}/bin/${fileBasenameNoExtension}"
],
"options": {
"cwd": "${workspaceFolder}"
},
"problemMatcher": [
"$gcc"
],
"group": {
"isDefault": true,
"kind": "build"
}
}
]
}
launch.json for c++{
// Use IntelliSense to learn about possible attributes.
// Hover to view descriptions of existing attributes.
// For more information, visit: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=830387
"version": "0.2.0",
"configurations": [
{
"name": "(gdb) Launch",
"type": "cppdbg",
"request": "launch",
"program": "${fileDirname}/bin/${fileBasenameNoExtension}",
"args": [],
"stopAtEntry": false,
"cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
"environment": [],
"externalConsole": false,
"MIMode": "gdb",
"setupCommands": [
{
"description": "Enable pretty-printing for gdb",
"text": "-enable-pretty-printing",
"ignoreFailures": true
}
],
"preLaunchTask": "C/C++: g++ build active file"
}
]
}

Answer 9

In your launch.json file check the "miDebuggerPath" and see if the same path is defined in your environment variables.

Answer 10

To resolve this proble one has to make sure three things are in order:
You have successfully downloaded and install the gcc (compiler) and gdb (debugger). To check this you should be able to type
gcc --version
and
gdb --version
and get the correct results
Once done with this step compile the myfile.c using this command.Make sure that your file has a main() function ,otherwise the produced myfile.exe will not be recognised by the debugger.
gcc -c myfile.c -o myfile.exe
Add a launch configuration using gcc.
In the launch configuration
manually add the path to the executable "program": "${workspaceFolder}/myfile.exe"
In the launch configuration
manually add the path to the debugger "miDebuggerPath": "C:/MinGW/bin/gdb.exe"

Answer 11

Nuke everything and use the build active file tasks:
Delete all files within the .vscode folder.
Select Terminal > Configure Tasks
Select appropriate system task (i.e. for Mac, C/C++: clang build active file).
Open .vscode/tasks.json
Configure C++ language standard by specifying the std flag (i.e. "-std=c++17") at the top of the args array.

Answer 12

the problem for me was an error during the run time that the compiler didn't notice before. then the .exe file didn't built, therefore the .exe file does not exist so you have to check if your script is fine even if no error is found by the debugger.

Answer 13

{In launch.json file where name : (Gdb) launch ,
step 1: enter the complete address of program for eg, c:/users/.....xyz.exe.
step 2: In Mi-debugger path complete address of bin in mingw folder which contains the Gdb debugger so the address would be c:/mingw/....gdb.exe repeat step 2 for the first configuration in launch.JSON
step 3 IN CWD , copy the same path but only till /bin
That should work }