Need a new compiler

[kelvin2164]

I've been using a very old version of Boreland Turboc for many years and it works fine in a DOS application but doesn't do windows applications. It's about time I upgraded to windows .
Any suggestions on a basic freeware C compiler for windows apps. that's relatively easy to learn and use.

[C_ntua]

MinGW(gcc for windows) or VisualStudio(compiler+IDE+debugger)

[rogster001]

The code::blocks IDE is often recommended in this forum, i have just started using it after leaving DevCpp and it is nice to work with

[MTK]

When I still used Windows I wanted to have GCC, but I couldn't figure out how to install it. So I got Visual Studio, and it kind of worked, but using libraries and multiple source files was such a hassle, you had to remember all these menus and tabs, and I didn't really learn anything. For those reasons, I actually quit C/C++ and started to use Java. When I switched to GNU/Linux, I heard that it is supposed to have GCC in it, so I wrote the "Hello, World!" program in a simple text editor and typed "gcc hello.c", and it just worked! Now I do C, Java, and Perl programming.

Anyway, in my opinion is that it is easier and more educational to use your favourite plain text editor and a simple command-line compiler.

[quzah]

Consider cygwin (Cygwin Information and Installation), MTK, if you're looking for a gcc in Windows.


Quzah.

[MTK]

I don't have Windows on my computer at all now.

[Elysia]

Anyway, in my opinion is that it is easier and more educational to use your favourite plain text editor and a simple command-line compiler.

And in my opinion, also much much harder. I could never learn all those pesky command-line commands and stuff.

[MK27]

And in my opinion, also much much harder. I could never learn all those pesky command-line commands and stuff.

No, typing with the mouse can get awkward, it was really not designed for that purpose

And don't sell yourself short Elysia, I'm sure you could do it if you tried.

[Elysia]

I couldn't. Really.
My mind is not suited for that kind of stuff. It's more ... graphical in nature. I can easily remember clicks and steps, but no command line stuff.

[MK27]

I couldn't. Really.
My mind is not suited for that kind of stuff. It's more ... graphical in nature. I can easily remember clicks and steps, but no command line stuff.

I think I know the real reason.

Nikoloogle Lindbloogle: Favourite bash command line aliases

tee hee.

[Elysia]

I rather prefer dir than ls.

[MTK]

And in my opinion, also much much harder. I could never learn all those pesky command-line commands and stuff.

To operate GCC, this is all you need to know:

gcc <sourcefile1> <sourcefile2> <etc> -o <executablename> -l<library>

For example to compile the text editor project I am working on now, I type this:

gcc editor.c linked-line.c -o editor -lncurses

In my opinion this is much easier than navigating through menus full of unnecessary features and having to dig around and remember all those menus, tabs, and shortcuts.
Also note that the Unix command line is not at all unpleasant, harsh, and restrictive to use as the Windows DOS prompt.

[Elysia]

I want to use optimizations, dammit! That's not enough.

[quzah]

Dude, no one really cares what compiler you use. If you don't want to use a CLI, don't. FYI, you can use optimizations. RTFM. Or don't. Really, no one cares.


Quzah.

[Elysia]

Yes, whatever. The suggestions has been made, and some context to boot.