Setup on Linux

g++ via your package manager · ~5–10 minutes · part of Compiler Setup

1. Install the toolchain

Open a terminal and use your distribution’s command:

Debian / Ubuntu / Mint / WSL (Ubuntu):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential gdb

Fedora / RHEL / CentOS:

sudo dnf install -y gcc-c++ make gdb

Arch / Manjaro:

sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel gdb

openSUSE:

sudo zypper install -y gcc-c++ make gdb

(The course only requires the compiler; gdb is optional and used by the debugging walkthrough later.)

2. Verify

g++ --version

Any g++ ≥ 9 works for this course; 13+ is comfortable. Most distributions from the last few years already qualify.

3. First compile

mkdir -p ~/code/cpp-course/unit-01 && cd ~/code/cpp-course/unit-01
nano hello.cpp        # paste the sanity-check program, save with Ctrl+O, exit Ctrl+X
g++ -std=c++17 -Wall -Wextra hello.cpp -o hello
./hello

You should see the program’s output. Errors? See FAQ troubleshooting.

4. Editor (recommended, 5 min)

Install Visual Studio Code (or use your favourite editor), add the C/C++ extension, and follow toolchain/vs-code-tips.md for a one-keystroke build and a working debugger.

On Windows but using WSL? Everything above works inside WSL Ubuntu. Compile and run inside the WSL terminal; the VS Code Remote-WSL setup keeps editing comfortable.

Next: verify with the course’s sanity check → then Lesson 1.