What C compiler shoudl I get for Vista
Hi folks,
I know there should be some answers for my question floating around here, but I want to ask again since I am new,
What C compiler is good and hopefully free to download for window Vista?
I tried Eclipse before, but it seems more stable for Linux than Window.
Thanks
Eclipse is an IDE, not a compiler. My favorite compiler is GCC, so my suggestion is to use mingw.
Eclipse is not a compiler.Originally Posted by physicsRocks
A compiler is not a big GUI app where you edit code, etc, etc. A compiler is something that takes a piece of source code and turns into an executable program, usually using a command like this:
compile mycode.c
"IDE"s such as Eclipse issue the command for you, but the compiler is a completely separate program from the IDE. You actually do not need an IDE at all, you can simply write code as plain text, save it to a file (such as "mycode.c") and then you run the command. The command is not actually "compile", it's the name of the compiler itself (eg, "gcc" which is a real and very popular compiler).
If you are a student, you are probably in luck since apparently Microsoft makes a version of "Visual Studio" (which is an IDE like Eclipse, and includes it's own compiler) available for free to students. This may not be the best choice, but it's there.
The other options: As I said, you actually don't need an IDE; some programmers (eg, me) don't like using them anyway and IMO they can cause unnecessary confusion for beginners -- your life will be a simpler, happier thing if you just find a nice text editor, write code, and compile it yourself. So you do need the compiler. GCC is free and there are several versions available for windows, just google or go with bithub's suggestion.
Last edited by MK27; 07-20-2009 at 04:04 PM.
C programming resources:
GNU C Function and Macro Index -- glibc reference manual
The C Book -- nice online learner guide
Current ISO draft standard
CCAN -- new CPAN like open source library repository
3 (different) GNU debugger tutorials: #1 -- #2 -- #3
cpwiki -- our wiki on sourceforge
I would say your intentions have a lot to do with compiler choice. If your aim is to write real, portable C programs, then you can't go wrong with GCC (MinGW is the windows port). However, if you're plan to write programs FOR Vista, you're probably better off getting a compiler from Microsoft. As mentioned above, students can get Virtual Studio free of charge through MSDN, but it's just a GUI to help you develop for and use the compiler: Microsoft Visual C. The compiler itself is available free of charge from Microsoft's website.
Actually, Visual C++ 2005 or 2008 Express is free for everyone, not just students.
"I am probably the laziest programmer on the planet, a fact with which anyone who has ever seen my code will agree." - esbo, 11/15/2008
"the internet is a scary place to be thats why i dont use it much." - billet, 03/17/2010
There is a professional version of VC++ which isn't free. You might be using a college spam-bought professional version of VC++. But there is a free version that is more commonly used.
I've used gcc and gdb with emacs but if you want something that works out of the box, Visual C++ express edition will get you running and learning C++ with the least amount of distraction.
You mean C, yes?
Netbeans 6.x works well in Vista 32 bit, Ultimate version.
NetBeans IDE - C and C++ Development
I stopped reading at "emacs" anywayYou mean C, yes?
Or Perhaps Code::Block - Dev-C++ works too i guess :P
Love the Dev-C++, dont seem to get any updates anymore
~ssharish
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving - Einstein
