How to Setup graphics library graphics.h in Visual Studio Code

Students who don't want to go through the full graphics.h setup can try the new Darvin IDE (beta version).

⚠️ New Option: Try Darvin IDE (BETA – No Setup Required)

👉 Download the latest beta here: https://github.com/ullaskunder3/darvin/releases/tag/v0.1.1-beta

Important

• This is still in beta
• It may have bugs or missing features
• But it already works for writing and running C and C++ programs
• You can also create and run SDL3 projects (GUI) without manual setup

If you prefer a stable manual method, follow the guide below. If you want something quick and simple, try Darvin IDE.

⚠️ This is still a beta version. Feedback and bug reports are welcome!

Table Of Content

• General info
• files
• Setup
• .vscode config file

My Workspace Dir and code example

General information

It like a tradition to use Turbo in our Indian CS sector. Its because the syllabus haven't been changed since long time.

The graphics. h header file provides access to a simple graphics library that makes it possible to draw lines, rectangles, ovals, arcs, polygons, images, and strings on a graphical window. The second step is initialize the graphics drivers on the computer using initgraph method of graphics. h library.

• To know More Stanford !!old

<graphics.h> is very old library. It's better to use something that is new.

Trust Me There are much better option

Allegro or SDL libraries may be for you. You could also try SFML. It has quite a following. You'll have a large community behind you if you needed any help.

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files

• Graphics
• Winbgim
• libbgi

Setup

Know the difference between MINGW, Mingw-w64 && TDM learn more go, go, go...

UPDATE: switching from MinGW to TDM-GCC-32

Install TDM-GCC-32 from their official site link

• after that default step that's all

Get all the files needed graphics.h, winbgim.h and libbgi.a

• Copy graphics.h and winbgim.h files to TDM-GCC-32/include folder.

location might be ("C:/TDM-GCC-32/include/")

• Copy libbgi.a to file to TDM-GCC-32/lib folder.

location might be ("C:/TDM-GCC-32/lib")

Open Vs Code Smart way:

• Select a folder and open Terminal

   mkdir cppGraphics
   cd cppGraphics
   code .

if you are using template with task and c_cpp_properties json file then you directory should look like this:

• All your code should be inside src and the task.json will build the .exe in build folder

cppGraphics
├───.vscode
└───Home
    ├───build
    └───src

• .vscode folder in that workspace which will contain task.json, c_cpp_properties.json

//create a file name it example.cpp inside src or any other name with .cpp extension

#include <graphics.h>

int main(){
    int gdrive = DETECT;
    int gmode;

    initgraph(&gdrive, &gmode, NULL);
    // you can also pass NULL for third parameter if you did above setup successfully
    // example: initgraph(&gd, &gm, NULL);

    arc(200, 200, 0, 360, 100);
    arc(150, 150, 0, 360, 20);
    arc(250, 150, 0, 360, 20);

    arc(200, 200, 0, 360, 5);
    arc(200, 250, 180, 360, 30);

    getch();
    closegraph();
}

Just Ctrl+Shift+B to run the build task you will get the executable file in build folder

Manual

Running the file using command in termainl:

    g++ -o example day3.cpp -lbgi -lgdi32 -lcomdlg32 -luuid -loleaut32 -lole32

    //after u'll get example.exe run using command: .\example

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Now To set up graphics.h in vs code using MINGW:

alternative video instruction in hindi to setup graphics.h lib in vscode

Alternative step wise instruction to setup MinGW along with graphics library (graphics.h)

• ReadME MinGW & graphics.h setup

Contributors ✨

Thanks to these wonderful people:

Prakash4844 💬 📖

sagargoswami2001 💬 📖