- A Project is a group of source files and associated information about how to compile and link the source files and run the resulting program. The IDE stores project information in a project folder that includes a makefile and metadata files. Your source directories do not need to be physically located in the project folder.
In the IDE, you always work inside a project even if your program is contained in a single source file. Each project must have a makefile so the IDE can build the project. A project's makefile can be generated by the IDE or you can use a makefile that was previously created outside the IDE. Projects with IDE-generated makefiles are called Managed Projects and come in several varieties. Projects that use makefiles created outside the IDE are called User Makefile Projects.
You work with projects through the IDE's Projects Window.