Netbeans 12.4 C/C++

I need to build C/C++ projects on Netbeans 12.4 with Ubuntu 18.04. There have been a long list of failures - trying earlier versions of Netbeans and even Eclipse. I can't find a simple tutorial / example for using the Lightweight C/C++.

Here is what I have done so far:

  1. Install Netbeans 12.4 with sudo apt install netbeans. This loaded java 11 jdk.

  2. Wrote and tested the usual Java Hello World.

  3. Installed build essentials with sudo apt install build-essential

  4. checked that gcc, make, and gdb are accessible.

  5. tried to start a C/C++ project as follows:

    1. New Project -> C/C++ / Lightweight C/C++ Project

    2. Next-> project path set to /home/david/NetBeansProjects

    3. Next-> Compile Commands: ... and I'm stuck. It seems to want the tool set to use, but I can't find it.

Any pointers appreciated.


To get full C/C++ support in NetBeans you have to enable plugin which was shipped with 8.x NetBeans family by doing the following:

  1. Launch NetBeans

  2. Go to ToolsPlugins

  3. Open Settings tab and check set NetBeans 8.2 Plugin Portal as Active

  4. Switch to Available plugins tab, click on Check for Newest and select C/C++ for installation by right mouse click on it

    C/C++ selected to install using 8.2 plugin portal

  5. Wait for plugins installation and restart NetBeans

  6. Launch NetBeans again, go to FileNew project, choose C/C++ and then you will see the following:

    new C/C++ project

  7. Compile and enjoy.

Note: I have tested above method using NetBeans 12.4 (installed using Ubuntu Make by umake ide netbeans).

Useful tutorial from NetBeans: C/C++ Projects Quick Start Tutorial .