Thread: Compiler/IDE

  1. 06-22-2008 #1
    AaronHall
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    Compiler/IDE

    What's the best, free, compiler/IDE that I can use to create applications with a GUI for Windows?
  2. 06-23-2008 #2
    tabstop
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    Quote Originally Posted by AaronHall View Post
    What's the best, free, compiler/IDE that I can use to create applications with a GUI for Windows?
    I would suggest taking out the red bit; last time someone asked that, it was weeks cleaning up the blood.

    But: both Visual Studio and the MinGW port of GCC (available in Dev-C++ and Code::Blocks) can create GUI applications for Windows. There are certainly others, but those are the ones I have/used.
  3. 06-23-2008 #3
    Elysia
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    Everyone will have different opinions on what's best, so the best thing is to try out for yourself.
    Here's a few free IDEs: http://cpwiki.sf.net/IDE
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
  4. 06-23-2008 #4
    Alex31
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    The most complete is now, by far, VS 2008
    VS Professional Edition is used in all big companies
  5. 06-23-2008 #5
    Elysia
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    The Express edition is free and if you happen to be a student, the Professional version is also free.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
  6. 06-23-2008 #6
    AaronHall
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    I found the Visual C++ Express Edition for free, do I need that plus Visual Basic 2008? I am also a student. How would I go about getting the Professional edition for free?
  7. 06-23-2008 #7
    Elysia
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    https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/
    Visual Studio has Visual Basic, C/C++ and other things in one package.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
  8. 06-23-2008 #8
    AaronHall
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    So if I download Visual Studio 2008 Pro edition I will have all the tools in one package to make Windows programs?
  9. 06-23-2008 #9
    Elysia
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    Indeed. You'll have the ability to install any of the programming languages contained within Visual Studio.
    Visual Basic, C/C++, C#, etc.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
  10. 06-23-2008 #10
    laserlight
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    Of course, you may wish to use libraries not provided along with Visual Studio, and these you would obviously need to obtain separately.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
  11. 06-23-2008 #11
    AaronHall
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    With VS I can make programs that have a GUI, correct? Thank you very much for all your help. I do apologize for so many questions. Thanks again.
  12. 06-23-2008 #12
    Elysia
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    Yes, of course. VS contains the programming languages.
    How to do GUI depends on what language you use.
    For C/C++, you may want to use a GUI library. With the Pro version, you get MFC, as well. There are also other, free, alternatives out there.
    Quote Originally Posted by Adak View Post
    io.h certainly IS included in some modern compilers. It is no longer part of the standard for C, but it is nevertheless, included in the very latest Pelles C versions.
    Quote Originally Posted by Salem View Post
    You mean it's included as a crutch to help ancient programmers limp along without them having to relearn too much.

    Outside of your DOS world, your header file is meaningless.
  13. 06-23-2008 #13
    indigo0086
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    IExpress I believe doesn't come with mfc, but windows forms which is Win32 trickled up to .net, while mfc is just a C++ wrapper for win32. It has a nice designer with a lot of functionality as well.

    I use codeblocks which is a free open source IDE.
  14. 06-23-2008 #14
    AaronHall
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    I signed in to download VS 2008 Pro, but my school (its a community college) is not listed. So that means I cannot get it free?

    I'll also check out codeblocks
  15. 06-23-2008 #15
    matsp
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    Quote Originally Posted by AaronHall View Post
    I signed in to download VS 2008 Pro, but my school (its a community college) is not listed. So that means I cannot get it free?

    I'll also check out codeblocks
    You can get the express edition, which is a "light" version of the "pro" version.

    --
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    Compilers can produce warnings - make the compiler programmers happy: Use them!
    Please don't PM me for help - and no, I don't do help over instant messengers.
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