What do I need to start coding in C++?

You can definitely code in C++ using VS Code, but it can be tricky for beginners. I recommend trying out Visual Studio Community; it's user-friendly and perfect for C++. Also, check out [learncpp.com](https://www.learncpp.com/) for great tutorials that explain why Visual Studio might be a better choice than VS Code when starting out.

You'll need a compiler to run your C++ code. I suggest using G++ since you're just starting out. If you're on Windows, install MinGW—it's got G++ included. Just a heads up, VS Code is mainly an editor; G++ is what actually compiles your code into an executable.

Good luck! You can write C++ in VS Code, but here's a handy plugin link to help you get started: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/cpp. If you want an even smoother experience, try Visual Studio—it’s excellent for C++ development, and Jetbrains Rider is now free for non-commercial projects!

If you're on a Mac, you'll have a compiler through Xcode. For Windows, you'll need to download a compiler. I've used VS Code without extensions, which wasn't ideal for debugging—lots of print statements for me! But it’s doable.