Thread: Beginner question

  1. 12-22-2008 #1
    johnmeikle33
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    Beginner question

    Hi. I am going to be learning C in my spare time but before I do that I need to find a sutible compiler. I have been looking at Dev-C++ IDE which comes with a built-in compiler which can compile both C and C++ code. However, I see that it is no longer in development and I was wondering if this will pose a problem for me? Is there nothing like this that is more up to date and active in development?

    Besides this problem, is there any tips you experienced users have for me before I start learning C?

    Thanks.
  2. 12-22-2008 #2
    tabstop
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    You could search the board here for the last time someone asked this question; or the time before that, etc.
  3. 12-22-2008 #3
    johnmeikle33
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    I apoligise. I tried searching compiler in the C forum but it returned irrelevant results (in my case) so I thought it would be more convienient to post a topic and get a straight answer.

    I will search more frequently in the future. Again, I'm sorry.
  4. 12-22-2008 #4
    Salem
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    code::blocks
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
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  5. 12-22-2008 #5
    zacs7
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    Here's a nice page: http://www.cprogramming.com/code_blocks/

    Apparently it's this websites' recommended set-up.
    vim
  6. 12-22-2008 #6
    brewbuck
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    Windows?

    You could install Cygwin, which comes with gcc and g++ (although you have to select them in the installation)
    Code:
    //try
//{
	if (a) do { f( b); } while(1);
	else   do { f(!b); } while(1);
//}
  7. 12-22-2008 #7
    P4R4N01D
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    I use Dev-C++ & It works fine for me, you probably should try different compilers e.g. Dev-C++ picked up a warning that lcc-Win32 didn't (funny enough solving this led me to fix a bug that i was trying to solve).
    I haven't used Code::Blocks.
    long time no C; //seige
    You miss 100% of the people you don't C;
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    if (language != LANG_C && language != LANG_CPP)
    drown(language);
  8. 12-22-2008 #8
    lolguy
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    i use msv6 and sometimes msv8
  9. 12-22-2008 #9
    zacs7
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    VS6 is long dead, it's well over 12 years old and will be turning 13 soon.
    vim
  10. 12-23-2008 #10
    Salem
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    > VS6 is long dead,
    Try telling that to the Turbo C noobs who show up with monotonous regularity
    VS6 is still OK as a "C89" compiler, but it's still not free AFAIK.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.
  11. 12-23-2008 #11
    zacs7
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    Yes but there are a few bugs in the old beast (that I know of). It also comes packaged with old headers (specifically Win32) which will require updating.

    Would not other things like optimization have improved over the years too, even if the newer standard wasn't adopted?

    > but it's still not free AFAIK.
    Also true, and I doubt you can buy it anymore. Microsoft probably doesn't believe in "abandonware"
    vim
  12. 12-23-2008 #12
    johnmeikle33
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    Can I use C++ compilers to compile C code?

    Thank you for the suggestions, I will take a look at Code::Blocks since I have been hearing a lot about it.
  13. 12-23-2008 #13
    laserlight
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnmeikle33
    Can I use C++ compilers to compile C code?
    It depends on the C code, but the answer can be a yes.
    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
  14. 12-23-2008 #14
    matsp
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    Quote Originally Posted by laserlight View Post
    It depends on the C code, but the answer can be a yes.
    Perhaps more importantly, most compilers are usually "both" C and C++ compilers. Both MS Visual Studio and gcc (which is the compiler that goes with Code::Blocks, Dev-C++, xcode and standalone as gcc or gcc-mingw) have C and C++ variants of the compiler in the same package.

    --
    Mats
    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.
  15. 12-23-2008 #15
    johnmeikle33
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    So does that mean I can use Visual C++ Express Edition to write C code?
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