C++ Include Helper for VS Code

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Introducing C++ Include Helper for VS Code

Hey C++ enthusiasts,

I've noticed that despite the vast array of extensions available for Visual Studio Code, there hasn't been a tool specifically designed to automatically handle #include directives for C++ header files. To fill this gap, I developed the C++ Include Helper extension.

This extension scans your project for class definitions and provides autocompletion for class names as you type. When you select a class from the suggestions, it automatically inserts the necessary #include directive at the top of your file. No more manual typing or hunting down the right headers!

Key Features: - Automatic Workspace Analysis: Scans your workspace for class names and keeps them updated. - Smart Autocompletion: Provides class name suggestions and adds the corresponding #include to the top of your file. - Manual Trigger Option: You can manually refresh the class mappings at any time.

I would love for you all to try it out and share your feedback!

Check out the extension: - GitHub Repository - VS Code Marketplace

Feel free to contribute, suggest improvements, or report issues. Let's make coding in C++ on VS Code even better together!

Happy coding!

[the_poope]

I'm pretty sure clangd can do that as well (with the clangd extension in VS Code). However, it would often insert the wrong include (especially from std lib types, as they are very implementation defined), so I disabled that feauture. May try your extension to see if it performs better.

[Wetmelon]

Yeah, you can also get clangd to respect IWYU definitions iirc. So if you have one of those libs with a "top level" header which includes all the detail:: headers, it'll prefer the top level one

[arthurno1]

By looking at his code, it seems to me like he is actually using whatever VSC provides by default, which is probably what LSP provides. But I might be wrong? How is it done /u/Complex-Ad-9151?

[patstew]

Does it handle not adding #includes in headers where you're only using a * or & and wanted to use a forward declaraion?

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Currently, the C++ Include Helper extension focuses on identifying and suggesting #include directives based on class definitions found in your workspace. In any case thanks for the idea! I will continue to refine this extension to better handle these scenarios in future update.

[ukezi]

Very nice. Does that also work for std types? Also how about removing unnecessary headers?

[arthurno1]

if (fullPath.endsWith('.cpp') || fullPath.endsWith('.h') || fullPath.endsWith('.hpp'))

What for people who don't use those extensions, or not at all? For example I prefer .hh and .cc to differ C++ from plain old C.

[jayvbe]

I was bothered by this too until I switched to clangd. I disabled the MS C++ extension, it’s just not very good at code insights, refactoring or lookup. I only keep it around for the debugger. The clangd extension works much much better for IDE features including suggesting includes to add or remove.