Getting ready for programming

Hi everyone..
If I get the MS Visual Studio Pro 2005, what else would I be needing to make a program and run it? I believe Visual Studio already has a compiler. How about text editors and debuggers?
Thanks so much..:cool:

yes, visual studio is a complete and very good IDE, i think. if your implying your considering purchasing it, i would recommend something else unless you think the price is reasonable.

There are free compilers and text editors that can integrate them such as Crimson Editor and MinGW. I wouldn't invest in an expensive IDE unless you're doing commercial work in your spare time.

But it is good to know how to use an IDE and compiler via command line, and most likely commercial users have Visual Studio.

You should get the latest Visual Studio 2005 service pack as well as the Windows SDK.

You should start with command line (gcc and microsoft platform sdk), then switch to some lightweight ide like codeblocks. All free in price so far. Then get visual studio express edition (also free in price). Later you can upgrade to some higher edition, read carefully the feature matrix. The standard edition might fine enough. Also to purchase visual assist x later could be helpful.

But I don`t suggest to start with vs pro, it´s overload with features you don`t need. As beginner you need basics first.

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But I don`t suggest to start with vs pro, it´s overload with features you don`t need. As beginner you need basics first.

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I agree, though I do not think that it is necessary to leave the IDEs for later. One could also start off with an IDE, and then learn how to manually run the compiler and other tools on the command line later.

Seeing that alyeska intends to learn to program in C++ on MS Windows, I suggest picking any of the following concrete options:

a) A programmer's text editor (e.g., Notepad++) with the MinGW port of g++
b) Code::Blocks with bundled MinGW port of g++
c) MS Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition

alyeska,

Don't get discouraged if you can't get your IDE/compiler working right away. It might take you half-a-day or more to get it installed, configured, figured-out, and working. Features like the debugger will take longer to learn.

I've used a handful of compilers, it seems that there are always a few "issues". It's been awhile since I installed Visual C++, but I'm about to do it again on an updated & reconfigured system. I seem to remember that the default configuration wanted to make a full Windows-GUI program, and it wanted to write half of the program for me! (I was probably in the MFC mode or something...) So, I'll be happy if I get "Hello World" compiled the first day, and "Hello Windows" compiled the next day!

Thanks for all the info everyone. Okay, so if I get the Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition instead, does that also come with a compiler and debugger? Would that be sufficient enough for me to start a simple program and run it?
Also, what is version is it? I need Visual C++ 6.0 at the minimum.
You guys have been great!

the newest version of VC++ is visual C++ 2008 beta 2, which is what I use, and it is easy to understand, and is of course available in the free express edition. It definitely meets your minimum requirements.

If you're not tied to MSVC, you could try other free IDEs or compilers like Dev-C++ or Code::Blocks.

BTW, a compiler is a program that takes source code and generates a program that you can run; and an IDE is a text editor, often with features that make programming easier such as syntax highlighting etc, that runs a compiler and often a debugger etc from its interface. You'll be wanting an IDE, but many beginners refer to what are actually IDEs as "compilers".

No, that's not what an IDE is. An IDE, short for Integrated Development Environment, is a program that binds together in a single UI many components used in development, most importantly a text editor, a toolchain, a debugger and project management.

Microsoft offers a free download of VSC++ Express Edition. Is it really just free, I am not clear if for 3 months or a year but I have read something that they released a revision November 2006 saying now, there's no limit. Which one is true?
Thanks..

It's free, as in beer, without a time limit.

"Code::Blocks with bundled MinGW port of g++" suggested by laserlight is what i use. You just need to install the "nightly build" for Code::Blocks to fix some of the bugs and use new features. Even though i do have Visual Studio 2005, i still prefer to use mingw+codeblocks and its free.