To compile and run a C program, you need to 1) install a compiler like g , clang , or MinGW depending on your OS, 2) write your code in a text editor and save it with a .cpp extension, 3) compile the code using a command like g hello.cpp -o hello, and 4) execute the resulting binary by typing ./hello on Linux/macOS or hello.exe on Windows. Proper tool installation, correct syntax, and careful error checking during compilation are essential for success.
To compile and run a C program, you need to write the code using a text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE), use a C compiler like g
or clang
to turn the source code into an executable file, and then execute that file in your terminal or command prompt.

Choosing the Right Tools
Before compiling and running a C program, make sure you have the right tools installed. Most modern operating systems don’t come with a C compiler by default, so you’ll likely need to install one.

- On Windows, you can install MinGW or use the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
- On macOS, installing Xcode or the Command Line Tools via
xcode-select --install
will get you set up. - On Linux, most distributions come with
g
preinstalled, but if not, you can install it via your package manager (e.g.,sudo apt install g
on Debian/Ubuntu).
Once you have a compiler, you’re ready to start writing and building programs.
Writing Your C Code
Use any plain text editor (like VS Code, Sublime Text, or even Notepad) to write your C code. Save the file with a .cpp
extension — for example, hello.cpp
.

Here’s a basic example of a C program:
#include <iostream> int main() { std::cout << "Hello, world!" << std::endl; return 0; }
Make sure the syntax is correct — a small typo can prevent the program from compiling. If you're just starting out, it's helpful to look at examples and follow along closely.
Compiling the Program
Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where your .cpp
file is located.
To compile using g
, type:
g hello.cpp -o hello
This tells the compiler to take hello.cpp
and output (-o
) an executable named hello
. If there are no errors in your code, this will create an executable file in the same folder.
If you see errors during compilation:
- Read them carefully — they often point to the line number and describe what went wrong.
- Common issues include missing semicolons, incorrect function names, or misspelled keywords.
Running the Compiled Program
After successfully compiling, you can run the program by typing:
On Linux/macOS:
./hello
On Windows (if using MinGW):
hello.exe
You should see the output of your program printed in the terminal. In our example, it would display:
Hello, world!
If nothing happens or you see unexpected behavior, double-check both your code and the compilation process.
That’s basically all there is to it. It might seem a bit tricky the first time, especially if you run into errors, but once you get the hang of it, compiling and running C programs becomes second nature.
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