Thread: Are C, and ANSI C the same?

C is a standard language. It has a standard, so all implementers of the compilers must comply with the standard. This standard was called in ages past ANSI C. Today, it is known as ISO C, because it is no longer an American standard, but an international standard.
To be precise, the standard is called ISO C (was called ANSI C) and the language is called C. So in that sense, they are the same.
Is MinGW a good compiler to compile C code? Yes! And don't think any less. It complies with the latest, ISO C99, standard.

Originally Posted by php111

I have a thread over at VBforums. I wasn't understanding the answers that the person gave. I'll ask my questions slowly on this forum.

You should have linked to the thread and/or stated what your previous questions were and what were the answers you received. A search brings up: Are C, and ANSI C the same? Frankly, if I had not done the search first, my answers would be similiar to those already given to you.

Originally Posted by php111

1. Are pure C, and ANSI C the same, or different?

That depends on what you mean by "pure C".

Originally Posted by php111

2. I asked on VBforums about the MinGW compiler being good to compile ANSI code. The person said no, but with programming/high level term words that I have no clue what the user said. I'll ask here. Would MinGW be a good ANSI compiler for a Windows 7 desktop PC?

The person did not say no. Take it as a yes.

Originally Posted by php111

3. Would C Primer Plus be a good book to learn ANSI from? I know that book is good for pure C, but I'm not sure about the ANSI part.

How do you know that the book is good for "pure C"? Generally, what I suggest is that if you do use the MinGW port of gcc, compile with the -ansi or -std=c99 options, and also with -Wall and -pedantic. These options will enable warnings that suggest to you when a non-standard construct might be in use.

> 1. Are pure C, and ANSI C the same, or different?
I don't know what you mean by "pure".
So far, there have been the following versions.
Archaic 'C' - as defined by the original K&R book.
ANSI-C89 - was the first standard for the language.
ISO-C90 - was the international version of the C89 ANSI standard. In technical detail, these are the same.
ISO-C99 - is the second international standard.
ISO-C11 - is the third standard. This has only just been ratified in the last few months. It will be a while before compilers emerge which fully support this.

Now actual compilers will support one or more of these standards. Almost all of them will extend the language in some way, depending on the whims of the compiler writers. If you're looking for 'pure' C, then you typically have to use some command line flags.

For example, gcc (and the MinGW port), you would do
gcc -ansi -pedantic prog.c
to ensure that all your code was strictly C89 code.

> 2. I asked on VBforums about the MinGW compiler being good to compile ANSI code.
When you start to use the API's of your OS, then strictly speaking, it is no longer 'pure' ANSI/ISO 'C'.
But by careful wrapping of your interface code in separate source files, you can make it so that a lot of your code is ANSI/ISO C only.
For example, gotoxy would be put into a separate (non-ISO) source file, and the rest of your (ISO) code would just call it. If you ported the code to say Linux, then you would only have to re-write one function - not your entire code base.
So yes, MinGW is perfectly reasonable for writing code on windows. Get the version which comes with Code::Blocks for a very easy to install, and reasonably up to date.

> 3. Would C Primer Plus be a good book to learn ANSI from?
ACCU :: Book Reviews Search
It seems as good a choice as any.

In this case, I think he most likely is referring to the fact that "only" C is used. No mix-in of other languages, such as C++.
That said, you don't need to make an OS entirely in C. And if I were you, I wouldn't limit myself to C and assembly.
Use the right tool for the right job. Some things of the OS needs to be coded in assembly. Some parts might need C.
But the UI, for example, does not need to be written in C. Use whatever language you find most suitable to the task at hand here.
C++ is usually a very good choice because it interfaces with C and assembly easily. Other languages are possibly, but interoperability will be harder.

Originally Posted by php111

As far as MinGW, I don't know how to use command line. All of my windows applications I use are GUI based. Will someone help me so I can, and know how to use the command line?

Use an IDE such as Code::Blocks.

No, no, Code::Blocks is an IDE.
Integrated development environment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What part of...

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

An integrated development environment (IDE) (also known as integrated design environment, integrated debugging environment or interactive development environment) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of:

a source code editor
a compiler and/or an interpreter
build automation tools
a debugger

Sometimes a version control system and various tools are integrated to simplify the construction of a GUI. Many modern IDEs also have a class browser, an object inspector, and a class hierarchy diagram, for use with object-oriented software development.[1]

...do you not understand?
It described exactly what an IDE is, and it's not part of the desktop (it doesn't say that anywhere!).