1. Create a new project directory, such as hello world;
2. Create a new cpp file under the directory HelloWorld, such as helloworld.cpp;

#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
#include <string>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
   vector<string> msg {"Hello", "C++", "World", "from", "VS Code", "and the C++ extension!"};
   for (const string& word : msg)
   {
      cout << word << " ";
   }
   cout << endl;
}

1. To compile a file, choose terminal > configure default build task > G + + build active file from the menu. This operation will automatically create the directory. vscode in helloworld and the tasks.json file in the directory. The contents are

{
  "version": "2.0.0",
  "tasks": [
    {
      "type": "shell",
      "label": "g++ build active file",
      "command": "/usr/bin/g++",
      "args": ["-g", "${file}", "-o", "${fileDirname}/${fileBasenameNoExtension}"],
      "options": {
        "cwd": "/usr/bin"
      },
      "problemMatcher": ["$gcc"],
      "group": {
        "kind": "build",
        "isDefault": true
      }
    }
  ]
}

1. Run the program, press the shortcut key Ctrl+Shift+B, switch to the project directory in the terminal and run. / helloworld;
2. To debug the program, press F5 and select g++ build and debug active file. vscode will create the launch.json file as follows

{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "g++ build and debug active file",
      "type": "cppdbg",
      "request": "launch",
      "program": "${fileDirname}/${fileBasenameNoExtension}",
      "args": [],
      "stopAtEntry": false,
      "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
      "environment": [],
      "externalConsole": false,
      "MIMode": "gdb",
      "setupCommands": [
        {
          "description": "Enable pretty-printing for gdb",
          "text": "-enable-pretty-printing",
          "ignoreFailures": true
        }
      ],
      "preLaunchTask": "g++ build active file",
      "miDebuggerPath": "/usr/bin/gdb"
    }
  ]
}

1. For other configurations of C/C + +, press Ctrl+Shift+P, and select C/C++: Edit Configurations (UI). vscode will automatically create the configuration file C ﹣ CPP ﹣ properties.json in the. vscode directory.