netbeans and c++

Netbeans IDE can be used to create C/C++ Applications. Netbeans running on Linux Platforms dont require any additional configuration if the compilers are already available in the Linux distribution. But to get it working in Windows, a Linux-like environment will be required. 

Cygwin is a Linux-like environment for Windows.

Here is a step by step guide to configure Cygwin with Netbeans in Windows.

Step 1: Installing Netbeans

• Install JDK. The latest version can be downloaded here
• Download and install Netbeans. The latest version is Netbeans IDE 6.5. The latest version can be downloaded from http://www.netbeans.org. Make sure you download the bundle that has all technologies.
• Select C/C++ option while installing. ( It is better to select all the options )

Step 2: Installing Cygwin

• Cygwin can be downloaded from http://www.cygwin.com
• Run the setup file.
• Install from internet. Specify C:\cygwin as the root directory.
• In the Select Packages dialog box, select the packages required. gcc-core, gcc-g++, gdb, and makepackages are most important. These are the C core, C++ core, the GNU Debugger and the GNU version of ‘make’ utility. These packages will be under the ‘Devel’ category.
• Complete the installation.

Step 3: Testing Cygwin

• To test whether Cygwin was installed properly, try the following by opening the bash shell:

cygcheck -c cygwin
gcc --version
g++ --version
make --version
gdb --version

• If the version details are displayed for all these commands, the installation of Cygwin has been successful.

Step 4: Setting PATH

• Right click on My Computer and select Properties. Goto Advanced System Settings.
• Click on Environment Variables.
• In system variables’ frame choose “Path” and click “edit” button.
• Now in the variable value textbox give the path of your cygwin/bin directory. (i.e., probably c:\cygwin\bin)
• Click OK

The setup is done.

Now new C/C++ Projects can be started:

• Open Netbeans IDE
• CLick New Project –> C/C++ –> C/C++ Application
• Choose a Project Name and Location. Then select ‘Finish’.
• Right click on Source Files under the current Project in the Projects pane on the left side.
• Select New –> Empty C++ File
• Type in the C++ Program.
• Now go to Run –> Run Main Project or press F6 to run the program.