Composing and Executing C Code in Sublime Text 3 on macOS: A Comprehensive Guide

Using Sublime Text 3 and macOS for C programming can streamline your workflow. With a few simple steps, you can set up Sublime Text 3 to compile and run C code directly on your Mac. Let's explore how to do that.

Step 1: Installing Xcode Command Line Tools

The first step is to ensure that the Xcode Command Line Tools are installed on your system. These tools include the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), which is necessary for compiling C code. You can install them by running the following command in the Terminal:

xcode-select --install

This will prompt you to install the Command Line Tools if they are not already present.

Step 2: Creating a Build System in Sublime Text 3

Next, we need to create a build system within Sublime Text 3. Follow these steps:

Open Sublime Text 3. Go to Tools Build System New Build System.... Replace the default content with the following configuration:

{
    "cmd": ["gcc", "%f", "-o", "%t"],
    "file_regex": "^.*((d )):s (.*)$",
    "selector": "source.c",
    "shell": true
}

Save the file with a name like

This will create a new build system configuration for C code.

Step 3: Selecting Your Build System

To select the build system you just created, follow these steps:

Go to Tools Build System. Select C from the list.

Step 4: Writing Your C Code

Now, you can create a new file, write your C code, and save it with a .c extension. For instance, you might save it as hello.c.

Step 5: Building and Running Your Code

To build and run your C code, simply press Cmd B. If there are no errors, the output will appear in the build output panel at the bottom of the Sublime Text window.

Example C Code

Here's a simple C program you can use to test:

#include stdio.h
int main(void) {
    printf(Hello, World!
);
    return 0;
}

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any errors, make sure your code is correct and that the Xcode Command Line Tools are properly installed. Additionally, confirm that your file is saved before attempting to build it.

Alternatively, you can follow these manual steps:

Manual Compilation and Execution

To compile and run C code manually, follow these steps:

Launch Terminal by searching for cmd in Spotlight and pressing Enter. Navigate to the folder containing your C program using the cd command. Compile the code using the gcc command with the appropriate file name. Create a new executable file and run it using the file_name.exe command.

Example Commands

cd /path/to/your/folder gcc filename.c ./a.out (Assuming the compiled file is named a.out).

This setup should allow you to compile and run C programs directly from Sublime Text 3 on macOS.

For more advanced users, you might consider integrating a build tool like Make into Sublime Text 3 to automate the build process. This can greatly enhance your development workflow, especially for larger projects.