r/VisualStudio

For context, I am an engineering student and needed to take a programming class and I picked C++. I took one year and it has been really fun. Recently, my dad has been frustrated with using pen and paper to track his finances and I told him I can try (but no promise) that I can try to create a extremely simple app for him to use, that way I can tailor it to him perfectly.

The code will use a .csv file to store the data and use a bunch of user defined functions to perform tasks.

However, all of my experience writing C++ code has been using online compilers (ZyBooks). This has left me a few questions to answer before making the jump from writing code to making an actual application. My questions are:

1.) I tested "building" a program. I wrote a simple code that outputs "Hello, world!" and then used the "Build" button and that made an application. When I ran this application, the command window popped up, displayed the message, and closed. Is this how my program would run?

2.) Did I create an executable or an application? What is the difference?

3.) When there are bugs (and there will be bugs) and I update the code, will all the information stored in the .csv still remain, and will I still be able to add information?

I know my understanding is very early and limited, but I am able to write a program that can do what I want it to do. The only problem I am running into is turning this into an actual, runnable application/executable that can be used on a PC.

Thank you!