This instructional guide will show you how to set up Windows Subsystem for Linux, along with Visual Studio Code integration; this will make writing, compiling, and testing code for the CS-120 and CS-170 courses more streamlined. I assume you are using the latest version of Microsoft Windows, have access to the Microsoft Store (only 1 free program is used), and have a basic knowledge of how to use the Windows operating system and command line. Prior knowledge of Linux and the Bash shell is not required, although it certainly doesn't hurt.
Windows Subsystem for Linux is actually a Linux subsystem on your Windows system. Confusing names aside, it allows you to run Linux programs (such as Valgrind) on a Windows computer. Additionally, Linux shell syntax is preferred by some, including those who may need to be running Windows for other reasons. As such, WSL allows a good compromise between Linux functionality and Win