Mac端Visual Studio Community 2017无法使用C++开发的问题求助

Hey there, let's break down why you're not seeing C++ options in Visual Studio 2017 for Mac, and what you can do to get up and running with C++ programming on your Mac.

The Core Issue #

First off, it's important to clarify: Visual Studio 2017 for Mac does not support native C++ development. Unlike the Windows version of VS 2017 which includes robust C++ tooling, the Mac edition was built specifically for .NET ecosystem development (C#, F#, Xamarin for mobile apps, etc.). That's why you only see Android, iOS, .NET-related packages in the installer—there simply isn't a "C++ Tools" component available for this version on Mac.

Solutions for C++ Programming on Mac #

If you need to work with C++, here are your best options:

• Use Xcode: Apple's official IDE is fully optimized for C++ development on Mac. You can create new C++ projects directly, leverage the Clang compiler, and use Xcode's debugging tools. It's free and comes with everything you need out of the box (install via the App Store or Apple Developer website).
• Visual Studio Code + C/C++ Extension: VS Code is a lightweight, flexible editor that works great for C++. Install the official C/C++ extension from the VS Code Marketplace, then make sure you have the Clang compiler installed (run xcode-select --install in Terminal to get Xcode Command Line Tools). You'll just need to set up basic configuration files (tasks.json for compiling, launch.json for debugging) to get started.
• Alternative IDEs: If you prefer a full-featured IDE beyond Xcode, tools like CLion (JetBrains) offer excellent cross-platform C++ support, though it's a paid product with a free trial.

Quick Recap #

Don't waste time looking for C++ tools in the VS 2017 for Mac installer—they don't exist for this version. Pick one of the alternatives above, and you'll be writing and compiling C++ code on your Mac in no time.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Shades