For the C++ Extension to use the compile_commands.json file, place its full file path into the c_cpp_properties.json file. This file is used to configure the C++ Extension IntelliSense. You can edit the file by running one of the two commands: C/C++: Edit Configurations (JSON) or C/C++: Edit Configurations (UI). If you are using the UI settings, the input field for compile_commands.json is under "Advanced Settings".

I know that but what do I actually put in the compile_commands.json file

I know that but what do I actually put in the compile_commands.json file

The compile_commands.json file is generated by CMake and it is not usually modified for the C++ Extension to use, unless there is some special case or workaround that needs to be done. https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/variable/CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS.html

@AverageComet250 The format specifications for compile_commands.json can be found here: https://clang.llvm.org/docs/JSONCompilationDatabase.html

It would be possible to manually compose compile_commands.json. Though, unless individual files need to be configured differently, it would seem simpler to specify the same information in c_cpp_properties.json. Support for compile_commands.json is generally used to easily configure the extension if this file already exists as part of your build system.

If you are using CMake, then we recommend you install the CMake Tools extension. If you let that extension configure your project, you will not need compile_commands.json. If you have any trouble configuring it, open an issue here and we can help you out.

I want to make it so that the build option runs

cmake .
cmake --build . --config Release

Instead of

cmake . or whatever the build button underneath the terminal or file does

Also I am using the cmake tools extension and my objective is to change what the build button on the bar at the bottom does

Hi @AverageComet250 . With CMake Tools installed, you should see a text button at the bottom of the window that allows selection of build configuration type (Release, Debug, RelWithDebInfo, MinSizeRel), . Alternatively, you can use CMake: Select Variant command. With both a variant and a 'kit' selected, and a valid CMakeLists.txt file, run the CMake: Configure command to generate the build script. Then you should then be able to build your project using the CMake: Build command.

It sounds like you want to leverage a multi-config build, based on the command line you specified above (which passes in the variant at build time). Depending on the kit you've selected, CMake may or may not generate a 'multi-config' build. I don't believe CMake Tools exposes this (as some generators do not support multi-config). However, you can use CMake: Configure then CMake: Build to build based on whatever config is currently selected in the UI.

compile_commands.json should not contain invocation of CMake. Some CMake generators support creating a compile_commands.json when CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS is specified.

I think my variant is Release and I'm using the x86_64 visual studio 2019 kit. I will test the cmake configure command and come back on whether that works.

Thanks

@AverageComet250 . Did my last response help you get this working? Or, if not, was there some part that did not work as described?

Sorry I'm still yet to do a proper test, though I can confirm that my variant is Debug and my kit is as specified in earlier post.

I'll come back after a proper test.

I closed it by accident by the way which is why I reopened it

Hey @Colengms, this issue might need further attention.

@AverageComet250, you can help us out by closing this issue if the problem no longer exists, or adding more information.

I'm gonna close this as I haven't actually tested it yet and I don't think I'm ever gonna need this. If someone could tell me how to modify what the build button does though, I'd really appreciate it

@AverageComet250 What build button?

The one on the bar at the bottom, the one where you can select things like the python interpreter and other things

Our extension doesn't provide that button so you'll need to ask the team (extension provider) that does. If you're referring to the CMake Tools build button you can use the "CMake: Set Build Target" command; otherwise, maybe there's another similar command you could look for.