Failed to locate: "CL.exe". The system cannot find the file specified-CodePudding

I'm trying to get into SDL2 in C and I have followed all the steps in a variety of YouTube tutorials. I am using vs2019, and every time I try to run anything I get this error: Failed to locate: "CL.exe". The system cannot find the file specified. For example, it happens when I try running this code:

#include "SDL.h"
#undef main
#include <iostream>


int main() {
    int x = 1;
    std::cout << "Hello World!\n";
    std::cin.ignore();
    return 0;
}

I have followed all of the steps, but nothing seems to work. Similar questions have been asked, but their solutions don't work for me. I'm just running it in the editor. Can anybody help me?

CodePudding user response：

I am going to post this as a potential answer, pending OP’s clarification to what he means by “running it in the editor”.

MSVS does not install with the C and C compiler and libraries unless you specifically ask for them. To install them you must re-run the installer. You will eventually get a screen with a lot of different options on it. It is a tabbed page with “Workloads”, “Individual Components”, and “Language Packs” at the top.

Find and make sure that you select both:

“Universal Windows Platform development”
“Desktop development with C ”

Continue as usual. The installer will update MSVS with the ability to compile C and C programs.

You can also read Microsoft’s instructions.

CodePudding user response：

You need to run VCVARSALL.BAT for Visual studio 2019 in the console for making cl.exe available.

Alternatively you can run "Developer Command Prompt for VS 2019" from the Start menu and run cl.exe there (after changing the appropriate working directory to one containing your code).