12/30/2015

HowtoinstallanduseEclipseCDTforC/C++programming

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TABLE OF CONTENTS HIDE

Eclipse 4.3
(Kepler) for
C/C++
Programming

1.How to Install Eclipse C/C++ Development T

2.Writing your First C/C++ Program in Eclipse
2.1C++ Program
2.2C Program
2.3C++ Program with Makefile

3.Read the Documentation

4.Debugging C/C++ Programs in Eclipse CDT
5.Tips & Tricks
5.1C/C++ Software Development Using GCC

6. File I/O in Eclipse

How To Install
Eclipse CDT 8.2 and Get Started
Eclipse is an opensource Integrated Development Environment IDE supported by IBM. The
mother site is @ www.eclipse.org. Eclipse is popular for Java project development. It also
supports C/C++, PHP, Python, Perl, and other web project developments via extensible plugins.
Eclipse is crossplatform and runs under Windows, Linux and Mac OS.

1.How to Install Eclipse C/C++ Development Tool

(CDT) 8.1.2 for Eclipse 4.2.2 (Juno)
Step 0: Install MinGW GCC or Cygwin GCC
To use Eclipse for C/C++ programming, you need a C/C++ compiler. On Windows, you could
install either MinGW GCC or Cygwin GCC. Choose MinGW if you are not sure, because MinGW is
lighter and easier to install, but having less features.
1. MinGW GCC: Read "How to Install MinGW".
2. Cygwin GCC: Read "How to Install Cygwin". Make sure that you select "gcc", "g++", "gdb",
and "make" packages under the "Devel" Development category these packages are not
part of the default installation.

Step 1: Install Eclipse C/C++ Development Tool CDT

Two ways to install CDT, depending on whether you have previously installed an Eclipse:
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1. If you have already installed "Eclipse for Java Developers" or other Eclipse packages, you
could install the CDT plugin as follows:
Launch Eclipse Help Install New Software In "Work with" field, pull down the drop
down menu and select "Kepler http://download.eclipse.org/releases/kepler" or juno for
Eclipse 4.2; or helios for Eclipse 3.7.
In "Name" box, expand "Programming Language" node Check "C/C++ Development
Tools" "Next" ... "Finish".
2. If you have not install any Eclipse package, you could download "Eclipse IDE for C/C++
Developers" from http://www.eclipse.org/downloads, and unzip the downloaded file into a
directory of your choice.

Step 2: Configuration
You do NOT need to do any configuration, as long as the Cygwin or MinGW binaries are included
in the PATH environment variable. CDT searches the PATH to discover the C/C++ compilers.

2.Writing your First C/C++ Program in Eclipse

2.1C++ Program
Step 0: Launch Eclipse
1. Start Eclipse by running "eclipse.exe" in the Eclipse installed directory.
2. Choose an appropriate directory for your workspace i.e., where you would like to save your
works.
3. If the "welcome" screen shows up, close it by clicking the "close" button.

Step 1: Create a new C++ Project

For each C++ application, you need to create a project to keep all the source codes, object files,
executable files, and relevant resources.
To create a new C++ project:
1. Choose "File" menu "New" Project... C/C++ C++ project.
2. The "C++ Project" dialog pops up.
a. In "Project name" field, enter "FirstProject".
b. In "Project Types" box, select "Executable" "Empty Project".
c. In "Toolchains" box, choose your compiler, e.g., "Cygwin GCC" or "MinGW GCC"
Next.
3. The "Select Configurations" dialog appears. Select both "Debug" and "Release" Finish.

Step 2: Write a Helloworld C++ Program

1. In the "Project Explorer" leftmost panel Rightclick on "FirstProject" or use the "File"
menu New Source File.
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2. The "New Source File" dialog pops up.

a. In "Source file" field, enter "Hello.cpp".
b. Click "Finish".
3. The source file "Hello.cpp" opens on the editor panel doubleclick on "test.cpp" to
open if necessary. Enter the following codes:
#include<iostream>
usingnamespacestd;

intmain(){
cout<<"Hello,world!"<<endl;
return0;
}

If "Unresolved Inclusion Error"

If error "unresolved inclusion" appears next to #include statement, the "include paths for
headers" are not set properly. Select "Project" menu Properties C/C++ General Paths and
Symbols In "Includes" tab:
For Cygwin GCC:
1. "Add" the following directories to "GNU C", where $CYGWIN_HOME is your Cygwin installed
directory:
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\include
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\includefixed
$CYGWIN_HOME\usr\include
$CYGWIN_HOME\usr\include\w32api
2. "Add" the following directories to "GNU C++", where $CYGWIN_HOME is your Cygwin
installed directory:
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\include\c++
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\include\c++\i686pccygwin
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\include\c++\backward
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\include
$CYGWIN_HOME\lib\gcc\i686pccygwin\4.5.x\includefixed
$CYGWIN_HOME\usr\include
$CYGWIN_HOME\usr\include\w32api
For MinGW GCC:
1. "Add" the following directories to "GNU C", where $MINGW_HOME is your MinGW installed
directory:
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\include
$MINGW_HOME\include
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\includefixed
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2. "Add" the following directories to "GNU C++", where $MINGW_HOME is your Cygwin installed
directory:
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\include\c++
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\include\c++\mingw32
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\include\c++\backward
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\include
$MINGW_HOME\include
$MINGW_HOME\lib\gcc\mingw32\4.6.x\includefixed
NOTE: To find the header paths, you can do a search on headers such as "stdio.h" for C and
"iostream" for C++ under the Cygwin or MinGW installed directory.

Note : If you encounter "error while loading shared libraries" during link. Install
"libmpfr4" in cygwin.

Step 3: Compile/Build
Rightclick on the "FirstProject" or use the "Project" menu choose "Build Project" to
compile and link the program.

Step 4: Run
To run the program, rightclick on the "FirstProject" or anywhere on the source "test.cpp",
or select the "Run" menu Run As Local C/C++ Application If ask, choose Cygwin's gdb
debugger The output "Hello, world!" appears on the "Console" panel.
NOTE: You need to create a new C++ project for EACH of your programming problems. This is
messy for writing toy programs!

2.2C Program
Follow the same steps as above. Create a "C Project" instead of "C++ Project". Try the following
Helloworld program called "Hello.c".
#include<stdio.h>

intmain(){
printf("Hello,world!\n");
return0;
}

2.3C++ Program with Makefile

In the previous examples, we use socalled managedmake where Eclipse automatically
generated a makefile to build the program. We can also choose to write our own makefile for
complete control of the building process.

Step 1: Create a C++ Makefile Project

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From "File" menu New Project... C/C++ C++ project In "Project name", enter
"HelloCppMakefile" In "Project type", choose "Makefile Project ", "Empty Project" In
"Toolchains", choose "Cygwin GCC" or "MinGW GCC". Ignore the warning message.

Step 2: Write a C++ Program

Rightclick on the project New Source File In "Source file", enter "Hello.cpp" Enter the
following source codes:
#include<iostream>
usingnamespacestd;

intmain(){

cout<<"Hello,world!"<<endl;

return0;
}

Step 3: Write a Makefile

Rightclick on the project New File In "File name", enter "makefile" Enter the
following codes. Take note that you need to use a Tab NOT Spaces for the indent.
all:Hello.exe

clean:

rmHello.oHello.exe

Hello.exe:Hello.o

g++goHello.exeHello.o

Hello.o:Hello.cpp

g++cgHello.cpp

Step 4: Build the Project

Rightclick on the project Build Project.

Step 5: Run the Program

Rightclick on the project Run As Local C/C++ Application.

[TODO] Write a makefile to compile toyprograms under one project.

3.Read the Documentation

At a minimum, you SHOULD browse through Eclipse's "Workbench User Guide" and "C/C++
Development User Guide" accessible via the Eclipse's "Welcome" page or "Help" menu. This
will save you many agonizing hours trying to figure out how to do some things later.

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4.Debugging C/C++ Programs in Eclipse CDT

Able to use a graphics debugger to debug program is crucial in programming. It could save you
countless of hours guessing on what went wrong.

Step 0: Write a C++ Program The following program computes and prints the factorial
of n =1*2*3*...*n. The program, however, has a logical error and produce a wrong answer for
n=20 "TheFactorialof20is2102132736" a negative number?!.
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#include<iostream>
usingnamespacestd;

intmain(){
intn=20;
intfactorial=1;

//n!=1*2*3...*n
for(inti=1;i<=n;i++){
factorial*=i;
}
cout<<"TheFactorialof"<<n<<"is"<<factorial<<endl;
return0;
}

TheFactorialof20is2102132736

Let us use the graphic debugger to debug the program.

Step 1: Set an Initial Breakpoint A breakpoint suspends program execution for you to
examine the internal states e.g., value of variables of the program. Before starting the debugger,
you need to set at least one breakpoint to suspend the execution inside the program. Set a
breakpoint at main() function by doubleclicking on the leftmargin of the line containing
main(). A blue circle appears in the leftmargin indicating a breakpoint is set at that line.

Step 2: Start Debugger Right click on the project or use the "Run" menu "Debug As"
"Local C/C++ Application" choose "Yes" to switch into "Debug" perspective A perspective is
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a particular arrangement of
panels to suits a certain
development task such as
editing or debugging. The
program begins execution
but suspends its operation at
the breakpoint, i.e., the
main() function.
As illustrated in the following
diagram, the highlighted line
also pointed to by a blue
arrow
indicates
the
statement to be executed in the next step.

Step 3: StepOver and Watch

the Variables and Outputs
Click the "Step Over" button or select
"Step Over" from "Run" menu to
singlestep thru your program. At each
of the step, examine the value of the
variables in the "Variable" panel and
the outputs produced by your program
in the "Console" Panel, if any.
You can also place your cursor
at any variable to inspect the
content of the variable.
Singlestepping

thru

the

program and watching the

values of internal variables and
the outputs produced is the
ultimate mean in debugging programs because it is exactly how the computer runs your
program!

Step 4: Breakpoint, RunToLine, Resume and Terminate As mentioned, a

breakpoint suspends program execution and let you examine the internal states of the program.
To set a breakpoint on a particular statement, doubleclick the leftmargin of that line or select
"Toggle Breakpoint" from "Run" menu.
"Resume" continues the program execution, up to the next breakpoint, or till the end of the
program.
"Singlestep" thru a loop with a large count is timeconsuming. You could set a breakpoint at the
statement immediately outside the loop e.g., Line 12 of the above program, and issue "Resume"
to complete the loop.
Alternatively, you can place the cursor on a particular statement, and issue "RunToLine" from
the "Run" menu to continue execution up to the line.
"Terminate" ends the debugging session. Always terminate your current debugging session using
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"Terminate" or "Resume" till the end of the program.

Step 5: Switching Back to C/C++ perspective Click the "C/C++" perspective icon
on the upperright corner to switch back to the "C/C++" perspective for further programming or
"Window" menu Open Perspective C/C++.
I can's stress more that mastering the use of debugger is crucial in programming. Explore the
features provided by the debuggers.

Other Debugger's Features

Modify the Value of a Variable: You can modify the value of a variable by entering a
new value in the "Variable" panel. This is handy for temporarily modifying the behavior of a
program, without changing the source code.

StepInto and StepReturn: To debug a function, you need to use "StepInto" to step into
the first statement of the method. You could use "StepReturn" to return back to the caller,
anywhere within the method. Alternatively, you could set a breakpoint inside a method.
NOTE: If you receive error message "Can't find a source file at /cygdrive/c..." during
debugging, you need to configure a mapping between "/cygdrive/c" and "c:/" assuming that
your program in kept in drive c. From "Window" "Preferences" "C/C++" "Debug"
"Common Source Lookup Path", select "Add" "Path Mapping".

5.Tips & Tricks

Read Eclipse for Java's Tips & Tricks for general tips in using Eclipse.

5.1C/C++ Software Development Using GCC

1. You can find the commands used in Eclipse CDT for build the project at "
<workspace>\.metadata\.plugins\org.eclipse.cdt.ui\globalbuild.log".
2. Setting includepaths, librarypaths, and libraries: When building the
program, the compiler needs the header files to compile the source codes; the linker needs
the libraries to resolve external references. The compiler searches the "includepaths" for
the headers specified in #include directives. The linker searches the "librarypaths" for
"libraries" needed to link the program. In GCC, includepath is specified via Idir option or
environment variable CPATH. The librarypath is specified via Ldir option, or environment
variable LIBRARY_PATH. The library libxxx.a is specified via lxxx option lowercase
letter 'l', without the prefix lib and .a extension.
In Eclipse CDT, you can set the include paths, library paths and libraries by rightclick on the
project Properties C/C++ General Paths and Symbols Under tabs "Includes",
"Library Paths" and "Libraries". The settings are applicable to the selected project only.
To set the include paths and library paths for all the projects, set the environment variables
CPATH and LIBRARY_PATH. In Eclipse, choose "Window" Preferences C/C++ Build
Environment.
Alternatively, copy the headers and libraries into system directories, and you can omit the
includepaths and librarypaths.
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OpenGL with GLUT:

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3. OpenGL with GLUT: For Cygwin, you need to install gcc, g++, gdb, make under Devel
category and opengl, freeglut under graphics category. The headers gl.h, glu.h, glut.h
are kept in $cygwin\usr\include\w32api\GL. Use #include <GL/gl__.h> to include
the headers. The libraries libopengl32.a libglu32.a and libglut32.a are kept in
$cygwin\lib\w32api. To specify these libraries in linking, use lopengl32 lglu32
lglut32 options without the lib prefix and .a extension.
4. OpenGL with SDL: Download SDL from http://www.libsdl.org. Choose Development
Libraries win32 mingw32 Unzip. Copy the headers directory SDLunder include
to

copy

$cygwin\usr\include\w32api;

$cygwin\lib\w32api;

copy

the

all

runtime

the

library

library
SDL.dll

files

in

lib

into

under

bin

into

Windows/System32. In your program, include these two headers: #include<SDL/sdl.h>

and #include<SDL/sdl_opengl.h>. For linking, add these libraries: lSDL lSDLmain.
5. #pragma

Comment

Directive:

pragma

comment

directive,

e.g.,

#pragma

comment(lib,"opengl32.lib"), is often used to include a particular library same as l

option. This systemdependent directive works on Windows's compiler, but NOT in GCC.
6. Error "multiple target patterns": There is a problem with GNU make at
$Cygwin\bin\make.exe.
Replaced
by
this
copy
@
http://www.cmake.org/files/cygwin/make.exe.
7. fflush(stdout): The gcc library uses buffered I/O in accordance with the C
Specification. Output is only written out to the output stream after a newline character.
You can flush the output with a fflush().
8. Project name shall not include the word "setup": If you name your C/C++
project with a name including the word "setup", then the resultant "*setup*.exe" will
trigger UAC User Authorization Control and require administrator right to run. This took
me a few hours to figure out! Try renaming a "hello.exe" to "mysetup.exe".

6. File I/O in Eclipse

Refer to Eclipse for Java's File IO.

REFERENCES & RESOURCES

1. Eclipse's "C/C++ Development Tool User Guide", accessible via Eclipse's Help menu.
2. GCC GNU compilers mother
http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs.

site

http://gcc.gnu.org;

GCC

manual

3. An Introduction to GCC @ http://www.networktheory.co.uk/docs/gccintro/index.html.

Latest version tested: Eclipse 4.2.2 Juno, Eclipse CDT 8.1.2

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Last modified: April, 2013

Feedback, comments, corrections, and errata can be sent to Chua HockChuan ehchua@ntu.edu.sg |
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