[FIXED] Code::Blocks error: 'cout' was not declared in this scope

Code::Blocks error: 'cout' was not declared in this scope

This is one of the most common errors you get if you download or create a C++ project on your Code::Blocks IDE and try to compile it using GNU GCC compiler (the default compiler in Code::Blocks). This problem is common with people who've recently moved to Code::Blocks from an older IDE. This happens because Code::Blocks fails to see 'cout' keyword as a local scope unless its defined as a standard directory function.

Luckily, there are two simple ways to fix this error:

Method 1

Use this statement before your main function:

using namespace std;

So that your code looks something like:

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    cout << "Hello world!";
    return 0;
}

Method 2

Instead of using cout , try using std::cout so that the code looks something like:

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    std::cout << "Hello world!";
    return 0;
}

Either way, you're telling the compiler to search for cout function in the standard directory (not current directory).
Note: If you're using Method 2, then you'll need to add that extra std:: to all your <iostream> functions, which is quite a hassle, tbh. I recommend using Method 1.

That's it! Now try to compile and run the program (assuming the program is written correctly), it should work.