Problem with "import cpp" using CODEQL

[PhPires13]

Hi,

I'm starting to study CODEQL from the GitHub Learning Lab( https://lab.github.com/githubtraining/codeql-u-boot-challenge-(cc++) ). I did the first two steps correctly(I think), but when I try to run the first code of the third step, that error appear:

Is there something that I have to add for this to work ?

[p0]

I think this would happen if you cloned the vscode-codeql-starter repo without submodules. See here for full instructions; could you try running git submodule update --init in your checkout root to see whether that will fix the problem?

Context: You need a clone of the github/codeql repo to be able to import cpp; the starter workspace achieves this through a submodule reference.

[PhPires13]

So, this is the first time I'm working with GitHub Projects.

If you could teach me where I have to use the commands git, like git clone --recursive or git submodule update --init. It would help a lot, because I really think the problem exists because I didn't add the submodules.

[p0]

Sure, I can help out.

If you look to Visual Studio Code window from your screenshot, I think the easiest thing to do is open the integrated terminal (Ctrl+Shift+P Terminal: Create New Integrated Terminal (In Active Workspace), or click the 'Terminal' tab in the bottom pane). That should give you a prompt in which you can run git submodule update --init, which should be all you need.

If you're interested in the full details about submodules, the Pro Git book has a good reference.

Hopefully this helps you get further!

[PhPires13]

I created the terminal with the folowing address(and other addresses to), but when I try to execute any git command, the following message appear.

Do I need an specific address ?

[p0]

Hmm, that's odd -- it indicates git isn't globally installed for you. How did you get a copy of the starter workspace? Perhaps it's not set up system-wide, and you need to open a 'Git bash' from the start menu, run cd /c/Users/Pedro/Documents/CodeQL/vscode-codeql-starter-master and try git submodule update --init there?

[PhPires13]

Do you think it will be easier if restart the installation ?

Btw, do I need this ?

[p0]

Yes, to get the workspace easily and completely I'd highly recommend installing git.

Am I right in thinking that you got the starter workspace by downloading a .zip file from GitHub? If so, I'm afraid the easiest thing will indeed be to start over. I'd suggest the following steps:

1. Install git for windows from the page you shared above.
2. Open "Git bash", cd to the folder where you want to store the workspace, and follow the starter workspace instructions by running git clone --recursive https://github.com/github/vscode-codeql-starter.
3. Open the VS Code workspace file within this new directory, and proceed with the learning lab.

[PhPires13]

I'm starting to follow this steps right now and thanks for your help, but I have just one doubt:

I read about that "Git bash", and its like a Linux prompt for Windows. So, if I use an Unix based OS, like MacOS, I would not have to download the git, just use the basic Command Prompt, right ?

[p0]

"Git bash" is installed by Git for Windows when you install it. On platforms like MacOS or Linux, bash would typically be one of the pre-installed shells, and you would still have to install git, whether by apt, yum, brew or another package manager.

[PhPires13]

Finally its ready, thanks man.

So, the problem really was because I was trying to do without the submodules, and when I tried to to add, it went wrong beacuse I was using Windows.

So I literally followed the steps you enumerated above.