unable to determine what cmake generator to use-VS Code-Windows 10

Question

while compiling cpp files in vs code in windows 10 PC, after giving "cmake:debug" I get error like this "unable to determine what cmake generator to use.please install or configure a preferred generator or update settings.json, your kit configuration or path variable" how to solve the error

Answer 1

Firstly check the system.

1. Install MINGW https://www.msys2.org/

2. Install gcc, g++, gdb, and cmake using pacman.

   pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-gcc

   pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-gdb

   pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-cmake

3. Check installation:

   gcc --version

   g++ --version

   gdb --version

4. Edit environment variables for your account (PATH)

   C:\msys64\mingw64\bin

For cmake project on Vscode:

1. Create a cmake project: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/cmake-linux#_create-a-cmake-project

2. Choose the Kit (Toolchain) which was installed before

3. Set cmake.cmakePath (If you installed with pacman, the path should be same as gcc/g++.

   "cmake.cmakePath": "C:\msys64\mingw64\bin\cmake.exe"

4. Reset VScode: Ctrl+shift+P and type "CMake:Reset CMake Tools for Extension State"

5. Configure project: Ctrl+shift+P and type "CMake: Configure". You will see "built" directory and generated files.

Answer 2

If you have install cmake, setted up your project and you added it's path, try this Ctrl+shift+P and Type "cmake:reset cmake tools for extension state" and press enter.

At least that works for me.