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

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:

1. If the file name contains white spaces
2. If there is re-declaration of variables or other kind of compilation errors