How to Install MinGW / Minimalist GNU for Windows

1. Download the installer
   https://sourceforge.net/projects/mingw/files/latest/download

2. Execute the Installer

   • If you want the .bat script to work later on, you need to use the Default Location.
   • Make sure to select "Graphical (GUI) Installation" before continuing!
   • Select the following packages:
     • mingw32-base (C compiler + debugger)
     • mingw32-gcc-g++ (C++ compiler + debugger)
   • Goto Installation -> Apply Changes
   • Wait until the installation finishes, and then close the MingW Installation Manager.

3. Finishing Install: Execute the provided .bat file

   • This adds the location of your compiler to your machine's PATH variable
   • Having the location of the compiler in the PATH variable is required to access the compiler in CMD

4. Using G++

   • NOTE: The following instructions are for the CMD shell. Alternatively, you can install the MSYS shell for a more UNIX-like environment.

   • Open your command prompt. On any Windows Computer, pressing Windows+R opens the run window, then type:

     cmd.exe
     

   • Navigate to the directory of your program's source files using cd. Note that the Windows CMD uses \ (backwards slashes) to separate Folders, not /
   • Use dir to show the files in your current location
   • When you're in your project folder, execute g++ as you would normally, i.e.:

        g++ main.cpp -o main.exe -Wall
     

   • To execute your program, type:

        .\main.exe
     

5. Using GDB

   • GDB for MinGW functions the same as its Linux and Cygwin counterparts
   • Refer to Step 3 to access the command prompt and change the directory
   • Refer to Debugging Lab for a "How To" on using GDB