---
title: "Walkthrough: Creating a Standard C++ Program (C++)"
ms.custom: "get-started-article"
ms.date: "04/25/2019"
helpviewer_keywords: ["command-line applications [C++], standard", "standard applications [C++]"]
ms.assetid: 48217e35-d892-46b7-93e3-f6f0b7e2da35
---
# Walkthrough: Creating a Standard C++ Program (C++)

You can use Visual Studio to create Standard C++ programs. By following the steps in this walkthrough, you can create a project, add a new file to the project, modify the file to add C++ code, and then compile and run the program by using Visual Studio.

You can type your own C++ program or use one of the sample programs. The sample program in this walkthrough is a console application. This application uses the `set` container in the C++ Standard Library.

> [!NOTE]
> If compliance with a specific version of the C++ language standard (i.e. C++14 or C++17) is required, use the `/std:C++14` or `/std:c++17` compiler option. (Visual Studio 2017 and later.)

## Prerequisites

To complete this walkthrough, you must understand the fundamentals of the C++ language.

### To create a project and add a source file

The following steps vary depending on which version of Visual Studio you are using. Make sure the version selector in the upper left of this page is set correctly.

::: moniker range="vs-2019"

### To create a C++ project in Visual Studio 2019

1. From the main menu, choose **File** > **New** > **Project** to open the **Create a New Project** dialog box.

1. At the top of the dialog, set  **Language** to **C++**, set **Platform** to **Windows**, and set **Project type** to **Console**. 

1. From the filtered list of project types, choose **Console App** then choose **Next**. In the next page, enter a name for the project, and specify the project location if desired.

1. Choose the **Create** button to create the project.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="vs-2017"

### To create a C++ project in Visual Studio 2017

1. Create a project by pointing to **New** on the **File** menu, and then clicking **Project**.

1. In the **Visual C++** project types pane, click **Windows Desktop**, and then click **Windows Console Application**.

1. Type a name for the project. By default, the solution that contains the project has the same name as the project, but you can type a different name. You can also type a different location for the project.

1. Click **OK** to create the project.

::: moniker-end

::: moniker range="vs-2015"

### To create a C++ project in Visual Studio 2015

1. Create a project by pointing to **New** on the **File** menu, and then clicking **Project**.

1. In the **Visual C++** project types pane, click **Windows Desktop**, and then click **Windows Console Application**.

1. In the **New Project** dialog box, expand **Installed** > **Templates** > **Visual C++**, and then select **Win32**. In the center pane, select **Win32 Console Application**.

1. Type a name for the project. By default, the solution that contains the project has the same name as the project, but you can type a different name. You can also type a different location for the project.

1. Click **OK** to create the project.

1. Complete the **Win32 Application Wizard**. 

1. Click **Next**, then make sure **Console Application** is selected and uncheck the **Precompiled Headers** box. 

1. Click **Finish**.

::: moniker-end

## Add a new source file

1. If **Solution Explorer** isn't displayed, on the **View** menu, click **Solution Explorer**.

1. Add a new source file to the project, as follows.

   1. In **Solution Explorer**, right-click the **Source Files** folder, point to **Add**, and then click **New Item**.

   1. In the **Code** node, click **C++ File (.cpp)**, type a name for the file, and then click **Add**.

   The .cpp file appears in the **Source Files** folder in **Solution Explorer**, and the file is opened in the Visual Studio editor.

1. In the file in the editor, type a valid C++ program that uses the C++ Standard Library, or copy one of the sample programs and paste it in the file.

1. Save the file.

1. On the **Build** menu, click **Build Solution**.

   The **Output** window displays information about the compilation progress, for example, the location of the build log and a message that indicates the build status.

1. On the **Debug** menu, click **Start without Debugging**.

   If you used the sample program, a command window is displayed and shows whether certain integers are found in the set.

## Next Steps

**Previous:** [Console Applications in Visual C++](../windows/console-applications-in-visual-cpp.md)<br/>
**Next:** [Walkthrough: Compiling a Native C++ Program on the Command Line](../build/walkthrough-compiling-a-native-cpp-program-on-the-command-line.md)

## See also

[C++ Language Reference](../cpp/cpp-language-reference.md)<br/>
[C++ Standard Library](../standard-library/cpp-standard-library-reference.md)