Troubleshooting CMake Output in VSCode That Isn't Running in Terminal

Learn how to resolve issues with `CMake` output not running from the terminal in `VSCode`, focusing on the differences between `MinGW` and `Mingw-w64`.
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Troubleshooting CMake Output in VSCode That Isn't Running in Terminal

As a newcomer to CMake, configuring your development environment can sometimes yield frustrations, especially when your CMake-based application doesn’t run as expected from the terminal. A common issue that developers face is that, after building a simple program with VSCode's CMake Tools extension, the output executable does not exhibit the proper behavior when run from the terminal. Let’s dive into the problem, the potential underlying causes, and a solution that could save you from unnecessary headaches.

Problem Overview

You are using VSCode's extension for CMake to compile a simple "Hello World" program. The expectation is to see an output both in the terminal and as a file write operation. Specifically, the program you wrote (given below) compiles without issues but when you execute the resulting binary from the terminal, it does not produce the expected output. Instead, the desired output appears only when using the extension's terminal.

The Simple Program Code

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

CMakeLists.txt Configuration

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Key Observations

Executable Behavior: The executables generated through the CMake Tools extension were smaller than those when built manually; this discrepancy suggested a difference in the compilation settings.

Functioning Through Terminal: The program works seamlessly when compiled using g++ directly or when built manually with CMake from the terminal, indicating that the code itself is sound.

Solution: Switching from MinGW to Mingw-w64 with MSYS2

After investigating various aspects of the configured environment, the primary solution identified was transitioning from the older MinGW to Mingw-w64 with MSYS2. This switch resolved the issues entirely. Here’s an explanation of why this solution works and what you need to do:

Why the Switch Works

Improved Compatibility: Mingw-w64 is a more modern toolchain that offers better support for C/C++ standards and libraries compared to the standard MinGW, making it more capable of building robust applications.

MSYS2 Integration: By using MSYS2, you provide a more dynamic system environment that is better aligned with modern Windows practices and projects that utilize CMake.

Steps to Switch

Install MSYS2: Follow the instructions on the official MSYS2 website to download and set it up on your Windows system.

Install Mingw-w64: Use the package manager (pacman) that comes with MSYS2 to install Mingw-w64:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Change VSCode Settings: In your VSCode CMake Tools configuration, point it to use the Mingw-w64 installation instead of MinGW.

Build Your Project: Open your project again in VSCode and build it through the extension, ensuring that everything is set up correctly.

Test in Terminal: Once built, open a terminal, navigate to your project, and execute your program to see the expected output.

Conclusion

By addressing compatibility issues and using the updated tools provided by Mingw-w64 and MSYS2, you can resolve the problems of CMake outputs not functioning correctly in the terminal. Ensure to keep your development environment updated and aligned with the latest tools available to avoid similar challenges in future projects. Happy coding!

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