Choosing the right C++ compiler

Hi All,

What is the best tool to write kernel drivers and low level network programming?

Dev-Cpp++, Borland C++, VC++ 8.0?

Regards,
Thomas

It doesn't really matter. A compiler is a compiler and will work the same, regardless of which compiler you choose.
It's up to your preference, really.

Originally Posted by Elysia

It doesn't really matter. A compiler is a compiler and will work the same, regardless of which compiler you choose.
It's up to your preference, really.

You mean he can use Visual C++ to write UNIX kernel drivers?

Obviously not, but that's obvious.
If you are going to write for platform X, then use a compiler than runs on platform X and not platform Y.

Originally Posted by Elysia

Obviously not, but that's obvious.

I think you're crediting newbies with too much insight...

QuantumPete

Originally Posted by thomas_joyee

Hi All,

What is the best tool to write kernel drivers and low level network programming?

Dev-Cpp++, Borland C++, VC++ 8.0?

Regards,
Thomas

For Windows, you would use the compiler that comes with the DDK (Device Driver Kit) for driver programming. That way, you are using a compiler that has been verified to compile driver code correctly - and yes, there are differences between the compiler in the DDK and the compiler supplied with the Visual Studio IDE. You can still use the VS IDE to modify the code, and there are tools to allow you to compile the driver within the IDE as well. But you definitely should compile using the DDK's compiler. It is perhaps possible to use gcc or Borland to produce a working driver, but there's absolutely no guarantee that it works, and there's no support in the DDK for this.

For application level programming ("low level network programming", I take to mean non-kernel code, but working with network protocols in user mode), I would probably choose Visual Studio, but that's a more open choice.

As pointed out, if you are working with a different OS than Windows, then you need a different compiler.

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Mats