# Before you begin

## Utilities

You must install and configure the following utilities:

- Build (such as `make`).
- Compile (such as gcc). For more information, see http://gcc.gnu.org.
- Debug (such as gdb). For more information, see http://sources.redhat.com/gdb/.

Tip: Cygwin contains these utilities for a Windows environment. For more information, see http://www.cygwin.com.

To test if cygwin was installed correctly open a command prompt and type `g++` or `make`.

The following error message means that no `make` is installed or your path is not configured correctly.

    'g++' (or 'make') is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

To check your path open a command prompt and type `PATH`. Make sure that the path to your build utility is defined (example `PATH=c:\cygwin\bin`).

## Build Automatically

For C/C++ projects this feature should be turned off, otherwise builds will be performed whenever a file is saved, including makefiles and header files.

Click Projects from the menubar and ensure there is no checkmark beside Build Automatically if there is one click Build Automatically to deselect it.

CDT Home

Building Manually