[visual-studio-code] How do I set up Visual Studio Code to compile C++ code?

With an updated VS Code you can do it in the following manner:

1. Hit (Ctrl+P) and type:

   ext install cpptools
   

2. Open a folder (Ctrl+K & Ctrl+O) and create a new file inside the folder with the extension .cpp (ex: hello.cpp):

3. Type in your code and hit save.

4. Hit (Ctrl+Shift+P and type, Configure task runner and then select other at the bottom of the list.

5. Create a batch file in the same folder with the name build.bat and include the following code to the body of the file:

   @echo off
   call "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VC\vcvarsall.bat" x64     
   set compilerflags=/Od /Zi /EHsc
   set linkerflags=/OUT:hello.exe
   cl.exe %compilerflags% hello.cpp /link %linkerflags%
   

6. Edit the task.json file as follows and save it:

   {
   // See https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=733558
   // for the documentation about the tasks.json format
   "version": "0.1.0",
   "command": "build.bat",
   "isShellCommand": true,
   //"args": ["Hello World"],
   "showOutput": "always"
   }
   

7. Hit (Ctrl+Shift+B to run Build task. This will create the .obj and .exe files for the project.

8. For debugging the project, Hit F5 and select C++(Windows).

9. In launch.json file, edit the following line and save the file:

   "program": "${workspaceRoot}/hello.exe",
   

10. Hit F5.