You might have come across source codes in C or C++ languages having #include<graphics.h>
in the program. When you compile such codes in CodeBlocks IDE, it shows
error saying “Cannot find graphics.h”. Why? This is because graphics.h runs only in Turbo C as it is inbuilt there, and is not available in the library folder of CodeBlocks.
So, how to include graphics.h in CodeBlocks? If you’ve previously tried downloading graphics.h
header file and pasting it in the include folder of your compiler
directory, but yet still it showed error, here’s a step-by-step solution
to your problem. There are a few other settings CodeBlocks wants you to
make to successfully run or execute C/C++ graphics programs.
To setup graphics.h in CodeBlocks, you’ll first have to set up winBGIm library (download graphics.h). WinBGIm
is a graphics library ported to computer by Michael Main at the
University of Colorado. It emulates graphics for the MingW (GCC port)
compiler. Like the Turbo C++ IDE, the BGI, Borland Graphics Interface,
is old, but it’s not yet outdated.
It is still used in many C/C++ programs
in schools and colleges. You can find many alternatives to winBGI
library, but this one is good for beginners in programming field.
WinBGIm is the easiest 2D graphics library you can find!
Step 2: Extract the downloaded file. You’ll get three files:
graphics.h
winbgim.h
libbgi.a
Step 3: Copy and paste graphics.h and winbgim.h files into the include
folder of your compiler directory. (If you have Code::Blocks installed
in C drive of your computer, go through: Disk C >> Program Files
>> CodeBlocks >> MinGW >> include. Paste these two
files there.)
Step 4: Copy and paste libbgi.a to the lib folder of your compiler directory.
Step 5: Open Code::Blocks. Go to Settings >> Compiler >> Linker settings.
Step 6: In that window, click the Add button under the “Link libraries” part, and browse and select the libbgi.a file copied to the lib folder in step 4.
Step 7: Go to “Other linker options” on the right part and paste these commands: -lbgi -lgdi32 -lcomdlg32 -luuid -loleaut32 -lole32
Step 8: Make sure you got steps 6 and 7 right! Here’s a screenshot of previous two steps. Then, click Ok.
Global Compiler Settings >> Linker Settings
Step 9:
If you now try compiling a graphics.h program code in C or C++, you’ll
still get error. To solve it, open graphics.h file (pasted in include folder in step 3) with Notepad++. Go to line number 302, and replace that line with this line: int left=0, int top=0, int right=INT_MAX, int bottom=INT_MAX,
