Visual Studio Code task to compile and run C programs

tasks.md

Introduction

The below code is the configuration for the Microsoft Visual Code tasks which will enable you to compile and run C program

Steps

1. Press Cmd + Shift + P
2. Type Configure task ( A task.json file will be created for that project )
3. Copy below configuration code and save it.

Usage

Simple press Cmd + Shift + B to compile and run.

Note: Make sure you select the tab having C program as below tasks run on active tab in VS Code.

Task Config

{
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "tasks": [
        {
            "label": "compile and run C",
            "type": "shell",
            "command": "gcc ${file} -o ${fileBasenameNoExtension}  && ./${fileBasenameNoExtension} ",
            "presentation": {
                "reveal": "always",
                "panel": "shared"
            },
            "group": {
                "kind": "build",
                "isDefault": true
            }
        }
    ]
}

its giving an error && in not a valid statement separator in this verson

@ukulsh
You have to use ; instead of && on Windows.

Isn't it possible to have 2 different task files so that you can have 2 different keybindings assigned to
them and run build task and run task separately?

thank you

Thank you so much, greatly appreciated!

Huge time saver. Thank you!

On Windows 10, there is a problem where if the directory name has a space in its name, it throws an error and does not compile.

Executing task: gcc "C:\Users\Admin\Desktop\c-projects\Game Development\Main.c" -o Main ; ./Main <

gcc.exe: error: C:\Users\Admin.NEIL\Desktop\c-projects\Game: No such file or directory
gcc.exe: error: Development\Main.c: No such file or directory
gcc.exe: fatal error: no input files
compilation terminated.

There is a space between Game and Development. How do I fix this?

Never mind, I got it. Here's the fix if anyone else wants:
Change the "command" line to this:

"command": "gcc '${file}' -o ${fileBasenameNoExtension} ; ./${fileBasenameNoExtension} ",

Just gotta put single quotes around all file path variables. (There's only one in this case.) Also, change the ; semicolon as needed. My OS is Windows 10.

Hey, what if I want to compile all .c files?

@Neil-Lunavat You need to use c compiler instead of gcc mentioned in command.

Thanks!

How do I run it in an external terminal like cmd instead of integrated one

Hey guys, thanks for support. I was looking for a solution and I find it! Thank you so much! Work perfectly! @akanshgulati @Neil-Lunavat