VIDE User Guide Editor Reference VIDE Java Tutorial
Command Reference VIDE Version 1.21 - 28Feb2001 VIDE C++ Tutorial

VIDE C/C++ Tutorial

VIDE Overview

The design of VIDE has been somewhat evolutionary, but you should find that it is not that much different than other IDEs you may have used. Because VIDE is a free, open source program, it probably lacks some of the polish of commercial IDEs. However, it is still quite functional, and it is really easier to develop programs with it than it is to use a command line interface.

Generally, any application you write will consist of various source files (with associated header files for C/C++), and required data files. These files are generally dependent on each other. By defining a VIDE Project for your application, all the file dependencies are automatically handled. The standard tool make is used for C/C++ files, while the JDK Java compiler automatically handles dependencies.

Using VIDE, the normal work cycle goes:

  1. Design your application.
    VIDE currently has no capabilities to help with this stage.
  2. Start VIDE, and create a Project File.
    This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.
  3. Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  4. Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  5. Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  6. Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your program from within VIDE.
  • Debug your program.
    VIDE for has integrated support for the gdb debugger for C/C++ on both MS-Windows and Linux. On Linux, you can specify DDD as your preferred debugger in the Options menu. VIDE also supports jdb.
  • Write documentation for your application.
    VIDE has syntax highlighting for HTML to make that job easier. You can also automatically launch your web browser to view the resulting HTML pages. Really neat.

    Using VIDE with GNU gcc/g++  top

    The main C/C++ compiler VIDE is designed to work with is the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), either on a Unix-like system, or on MS-Windows with the GNU GCC compiler. (VIDE will work with either the MinGW version of GCC, or the Cygnus version. Try the latest merged GCC 2.95.2!) Functionality of VIDE for gcc is based on standard GNU makefiles. VIDE uses a standard GNU make Makefile to build your project. Thus, you must have a Makefile defined. This Makefile can be one created automatically by VIDE itself from your Project file, one generated by the vgen V application generator, or even one you've written yourself. If you have your own Makefile, then you probably won't need to use a VIDE Project.

    VIDE assumes you have your gcc/g++ compiler already installed on your system and the PATH correctly set. For Unix/Linux systems, this is a given. If you are using a MS-Windows version ( This will include all source files, compiler options, and other information needed to compile your application.

  • Build your project.
    This stage compiles your source into object code. Compilation errors are displayed in the status window, and you can simply right-click on the error to go to the offending line in your source code. After making corrections, you repeat this step until all compilation and linking errors are removed.
  • Run your program.
    You can start your