Setting Up CLion

CLion is the IDE that Cygwin will be using to compile the C language. We are using CLion due to the amount of useful features for the time limit that it is available for free to the user.

Table of contents

1. Download the Setup .exe file
2. Run the Setup file
3. Run CLion For The First Time
4. Conclusion

Download the Setup .exe file

1. Go to the CLion website
   
   Redirect to the JetBrains CLion homepage by clicking here. Click on the Download button displayed on the top right to go to the download page.
   
   
   

2. Download the Setup
   
   Click on the Download button on the middle of the screen.
   
   On the right side of that button, you have an option to download a .exe or a .zip file. For the sake of simplicity and these instructions, you will be using the .exe to install CLion.
   
   
   

3. Open the Setup
   
   After clicking on the download button, you will be redirected to the page displayed below, and you will start downloading the CLion setup.
   
   NOTE: This was downloaded in a Google Chrome browser. If your browser is different, the file may appear in a different location.
   
   When the setup is done, run the program by clicking on the downloaded file.
   
   
   

Run the Setup file

1. Start the Setup
   
   The window below will show up when you open the setup file. Click Next >
   
   
   

2. Choose Install Location
   
   The next window displays the location of where CLion will be downloaded on your computer. If you would like to change the destination of where it will download the files, click on the Browse button to locate the folder you wish to have it saved to. Otherwise, it is fine to leave it as default.
   
   Click Next >
   
   
   

3. Choose Installation Options
   
   The next window will display a number of boxes to be checked. The boxes to be checked are:
   ✅ 64-bit launcher (32-bit, depending on downloaded version)
   ✅ Add launchers dir to the PATH
   ✅ Add “Open Folder as Project”
   ✅ .c
   ✅ .h
   
   After you have checked these boxes, click Next >
   
   
   

4. Choose Start Menu Location
   
   This next window allows you to choose a start menu folder for the program’s shortcuts. If you would like, you can change the folder location. Click Install
   
   
   

5. Finish the Installation
   
   You will need to restart your computer to finish the installation of CLion.
   
   WARNING: Clicking finish while having Reboot now checked will forcibly restart your computer.
   
   If you do not wish to restart your computer yet, click the I want to manually reboot later option before clicking finish.
   
   
   

Run CLion For The First Time

1. Open the CLion program
   
   You should have the CLion shortcut on your desktop after restarting your computer. Open it and you will see this initial page.
   
   As a new user, you will not have any settings to import, so click the Do not import settings option and click OK
   
   
   

2. Accept the JetBrains User Agreement
   
   If this is your first time using JetBrains, this window will pop up. It is simply the terms of service for using the JetBrains CLion IDE. Check the box at the bottom of the screen and click Continue
   
   

3. Send or Don’t Send Usage Statistics
   
   This window discusses about sending your usage data to JetBrains.
   
   We recommend clicking Send Usage Statistics as it helps the company improve their products. However, it is safe to click Don't send as well.
   
   

4. Set up your customization
   
   This window will pop-up afterwards. This is for your personal customization. If you want a dark-themed IDE, choose Darcula. If you want a light-themed IDE, choose Light.
   
   Afterwards, click on the Skip Remaining and Set Defaults button on the bottom left side of the window.
   
   
   

5. Activate Your Free Trial Account
   
   To activate your free trial account, click on the Evaluate for free button on the top of the window.
   
   
   

6. Validate Your Free Trial Account
   
   Click the Evaluate button to verify your account. If the evaluation was successful, you will be able to click Continue
   
   NOTE: If you do wish to receive emails from JetBrains, then you must check mark both boxes and enter your email in order to click Evaluate to continue.
   
   
   

7. Sign Into Your JetBrains Account
   
   You should be redirected to this window. Enter in your email and password to sign in.
   
   Once you have entered in your information, click Continue on the bottom right of the window.
   
   
   

8. Import Cygwin Into The IDE
   
   CLion should automatically detect your Cygwin and connect to it.
   
   You can tell that you have Cygwin connected if the Debugger section shows Cygwin GDB.
   
   If it does not, click the triple dot ... button on the right side of the Debugger section and navigate to the folder where you installed gdb.exe. The address to that .exe should be exactly as displayed on the image below.
   
   Click on Start using CLion on the bottom right on the window.
   
   
   

9. Welcome to CLion!
   
   After you finish setting up your CLion, you should see this window.
   
   You now have access to CLion and it’s features!
   
   
   

Conclusion

You have now completed all of the steps required to utilise CLion! For any questions, please refer to the troubleshooting section of this document.

To learn how to use CLion, refer to this document.