Skip to content

Code::Blocks

Introduction

Code::Blocks is an open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) developed in C++, using wxWidgets as its graphical interface library. The project began in 2001 and is currently maintained by the official community. It is primarily used for developing in programming languages such as C, C++, and Fortran.1

Advantages:

  • Lightweight and Efficient: Code::Blocks has low resource consumption and fast startup, making it suitable for environments with limited resources, developers who prefer lightweight IDEs, and beginners learning to code.

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports various operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing a consistent user experience that allows developers to work seamlessly across different platforms.

  • Extensive Compiler Support: Supports multiple compilers including GCC, MSVC (Microsoft Visual C++), Digital Mars, and Borland C++ 5.5, allowing developers to choose the most suitable compilation tools based on project requirements.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited Feature Set: Compared to IDEs like CLion or Eclipse, its built-in features and tools are relatively basic and may be insufficient for complex project needs.

  • Weak Plugin Ecosystem: Although it supports plugin extensions, the number and quality of third-party plugins are limited, resulting in a relatively weak plugin ecosystem.

Installation

Refer to the Code::Blocks official website, choose to download the binary installer (Binary Release) or download the source code to compile and install (Source Code). Then, select the appropriate installer based on your needs and operating system, and follow the installation wizard to complete the setup.

Download the installer including MinGW

For Windows users, if you do not wish to manually configure a compiler, it is recommended to download the installer that includes MinGW, such as codeblocks-xxxxmingw-setup.exe. This version already includes the GCC compiler, allowing you to start developing C and C++ projects without additional installation and configuration.

CodeBlocks DownLoad

Configuration

If you chose an installer that does not include MinGW during installation, or if you need to use another compiler, you must manually install and configure the compiler, then set up Code::Blocks to use it.

Toolchain Installation

Refer to this site's Compiler installation guide to download and install the compiler you need.

Toolchain Setup

When Code::Blocks is started for the first time, it automatically scans for installed compilers on the system. If no compiler is found, you can manually add one by following these steps:

  1. Open Code::Blocks, click on the menu bar Settings -> Compiler to open the compiler settings dialog (as shown below). CodeBlocks Compiler Settings
  2. In the Selected compiler dropdown, select the compiler you need to configure, e.g., GNU GCC Compiler.
  3. In the Toolchain executables tab, click the Auto-detect button. Code::Blocks will automatically scan for installed compilers on the system.
  4. If the automatic scan fails, you can manually set the compiler path. Enter the compiler's installation directory in Compiler's installation directory, e.g., C:\MinGW\bin.
  5. After setup, click OK to save the settings. You can now use this compiler to compile and run projects.

Usage

Code::Blocks has a built-in project manager that supports user-defined project builds. You can set compilation options in Project -> Build options, choosing the compiler, compilation options, linking options, etc. You can also set project properties in Project -> Properties, such as project name, path, file list, etc.

Configuring Makefile

Code::Blocks does not require writing a Makefile by default. If you need to use a custom Makefile, you can check the This is a custom Makefile option in Project -> Properties, then set the path to the Makefile in Project -> Build options.

Creating a Project

Programming languages supported by Code::Blocks include C, C++, and Fortran. After starting Code::Blocks, you can create a new project via File -> New -> Project. Select the project type and template, then follow the wizard's instructions to set the project name, path, compiler, etc. Finally, click Finish to complete project creation.

Code::Blocks also supports compiling and running single files. You can create a new file via File -> New -> File. After writing and saving the code, click the Build and run button on the toolbar, or press the F9 key, to automatically compile and run the current file.

Building and Running

Taking a simple Console Application project as an example, here's how to build and run a project:

  1. After the project is created, you will see a default main.cpp file. You can write your code in this file and then save it.
  2. After writing the code, click the Build and run button on the toolbar, or press the F9 key. Code::Blocks will automatically compile and run the project.
  3. After compilation and running, the program's output will be displayed in the output window. You can view the program's output in the output window and adjust the code as needed.
  4. If you only need to compile the project without running it, you can click the Build button on the toolbar, or press Ctrl + F9. Code::Blocks will only compile the project without running the program.

Debugging

Code::Blocks has a built-in debugger. You can set up and start the debugger from the Debug menu to help locate and fix errors in your program.

Similarly, taking a simple Console Application project as an example, here's how to debug a project:

  1. Set Breakpoints: Click the left mouse button on the left side of the code line where you want to debug to set a breakpoint. The program will stop execution at the breakpoint.
  2. Start the Debugger: Click the Debug button on the toolbar, or press the F8 key. Code::Blocks will automatically compile and start the debugger.
  3. Debug the Program: In the debugger, you can step through the program, view variable values, call stacks, etc., to help locate and fix errors.
  4. Stop Debugging: After debugging is complete, you can click the Stop button on the toolbar, or press Shift + F8, to stop the debugger.

Customization

Code::Blocks provides rich settings options to help adjust the editor's behavior. Here are some commonly used settings:

Interface Settings

  1. In Settings -> Editor, you can set options for the editor's font, color, indentation, auto-completion, etc.
  2. In Settings -> Environment, you can set global behaviors for Code::Blocks, such as auto-save, auto-backup, auto-suggestions, etc.
  3. In the View menu, you can adjust the editor's layout, such as opening/closing the file browser, toolbar, status bar, output window, etc.

Plugin Settings

Code::Blocks supports plugins to extend functionality. You can view and install available plugins via Settings -> Plugins, such as DoxyBlocks, wxSmith, etc. Here are some commonly used plugins:

  • DoxyBlocks: An integration plugin for the well-known documentation generation tool Doxygen, allowing you to generate project documentation directly within Code::Blocks.
  • wxSmith: A plugin for developing wxWidgets applications, providing a visual interface design tool that allows for quick creation and layout of GUI interfaces, simplifying the development process.
  • Thread Search: A plugin supporting multi-threaded search, enabling quick searching and replacing of symbols and text within projects, suitable for large-scale project development.

For plugin installation and usage methods, please refer to the Code::Blocks Plugin Documentation. Choose and install suitable plugins based on their requirements and functionality.

Note

Code::Blocks plugins are relatively simple and basic, and most plugins are already integrated into the software. The number and quality of third-party plugins are limited. It is recommended to choose plugins based on actual needs.

Shortcut Key Settings

You can view and modify shortcut key settings via Settings -> Editor -> Keyboard shortcuts, adjusting shortcuts according to your habits.

Here are some commonly used shortcuts:

Function Shortcut Key
New File Ctrl + Shift + N
Open File Ctrl + O
Save Current File Ctrl + S
Save All Files Ctrl + Shift + S
Close Current File Ctrl + W
Close All Files Ctrl + Shift + W
Build and Run Current Project F9
Build Current Project Only Ctrl + F9
Compile Current Project Only Ctrl + Shift + F9
Run Current Project Ctrl + F10
Debug: Start/Continue F8
Debug: Stop Shift + F8
Debug: Next Step F7
Debug: Step Into Shift + F7
Debug: Step Out Ctrl + F7
Debug: Toggle Breakpoint F5
Find Ctrl + F
Find and Replace Ctrl + R
Go to Line Ctrl + G
Go to Matching Brace Ctrl + B
Toggle Fullscreen F11
Toggle All Folds Ctrl + Shift + -
Expand All Folds Ctrl + Shift + +
Select Next Occurrence Ctrl + E
Select and Jump to Next Occurrence Ctrl + Shift + E

References and Notes

  1. Code::Blocks - Wikipedia ↩

本页面最近更新：，更新历史
发现错误？想一起完善？ 在 GitHub 上编辑此页！
本页面贡献者：OI-wiki
本页面的全部内容在 CC BY-SA 4.0 和 SATA 协议之条款下提供，附加条款亦可能应用