Thread: Do you have to use an IDE such as M$ Visual C++ to write a windows program using C++?

  1. #1
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    Do you have to use an IDE such as M$ Visual C++ to write a windows program using C++?

    Yes, I'm an gnuB! I've been writing plain old console programs for years, that's what they teach you in college when you are a comp. engineering. major believe it or not! All that fancy booklearnin n' stuff, and all you learn is how to write a console app!! they DONT get into windows programming at all (at least at FAU in Floriduh) All they teach are those stupid and basic "inventory" console programs and text file sort programs, no Windows.

    When I look for books at Boreders or Barnys n' Gnobles all those c++ books just have more of the same "basic concept" programs similar to school. I want to write programs for Windows that output in more than a command line console!! I look at the index of all these books and they might at best have ONE page referencing Windows, and it's usually junk.

    All they Do have are M$ Visual C++ and maybe a Delphi book with an inch of dust on it's wrinkled and torn cover.

    Must I buy and use MS Visual C++ if I want to write windows apps, or is there an alternative. I can't seem to find much on the net for writing Windows apps without some sort of reference to the M$ product monopoly. Don't get me wrong, Microsoft's product is probably great, heck they wrote the OS!! But it seems that I would have to learn a completely new language, because from what I've seen C++ and Visual C++ at least appear to be VERY different language-wise (or maybe I'm to used to seeing procedural code, and very basic use of objects....remember I am new!)! I figured this would be the BEST place to ask! So let me have it, just be gentle, please!

  2. #2
    erstwhile
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    Sticky thread at the top of this board: windows programming links.

    FAQ > Other references > Compilers/IDE's.

    ms visual c++ express is free but be sure to install the psdk and configure the ide to use it if you want to build winapi programs(see the 'windows programming links' referred to above for details).
    CProgramming FAQ
    Caution: this person may be a carrier of the misinformation virus.

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    Are my thoughts correct?

    So would it then be correct to say that I can write any Windows app by using a standard (command line) compiler (no fancy Visual this or Delphi that--IDE) as long as I include the proper dlls and header files? I would just have to master the Windows API functions and correctly use them in my standard good plain old C++ code?

  4. #4
    MFC killed my cat! manutd's Avatar
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    Yeah, mostly. Dev-C++ and Code::Blocks both let you create windows projects.
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  5. #5
    Hurry Slowly vart's Avatar
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    yes you can just create plane c/cpp files and compile them with command line compiler...
    All problems in computer science can be solved by another level of indirection,
    except for the problem of too many layers of indirection.
    – David J. Wheeler

  6. #6
    pwns nooblars
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    Dev-C++ / Code::Blocks are just IDE... for Dev-C++ it is MinGW powered, and Code::Blocks allows you to use a range of compilers, though I believe most also use MinGW.

    HyperCreep while coding without an IDE has its merits (Kinda), once you get used to the features of an IDE your productivity will most likely increase. I prefer Code::Blocks myself, as it is light, but powerful and full of features.

    But to answer the questions, yeah, you can use a command line compiler to compile Win32 projects. In most cases IDEs use a command line compiler in the background of their fancy GUI.

  7. #7
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    Pleas accept my apologies to all the good people that have replied!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I guess my question should have been more descriptive.....

    I have used 'IDE's' as in "text editors" specifically for writing code, that gives you an environment to view your code with 'color syntax' .

    I guess my question should've boiled down to: having to use "commercial products" such as M$ Visual C++ or "Borland C++ builder" to write windows apps, I understand there are similarly free versions of products such as these, but what I would like to know is .....can windows apps be written with free 'non- pre-packaged- all-in-one" compilers? Meaning without having to use 'proprietary' DLL's for such windows implementations? without using such products touting "visual this or visual that" and just a basic compiler, even with an IDE for coding?

    All in all , can I use a VERY BASIC compiler such as Borland 4.52, or GCC, to compile Windows apps? without having to buy or download a free package to install a compiler "just for windows apps" like Vis C++?

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