Thread: Ideal IDE for C Prog - For Begginers

Depends on the version, but ALL the Turbo C/C++ stuff is way old. I loved Turbo C, and just quit using it this last year (ver. 1.01). There are a LOT of nice features in Pelles C, and you REALLY owe it to yourself to move into the current century IDE and compiler.

The 1.01 of C/C++ you should know that the C++ part of it has almost all been replaced by the current C++ standard. Different headers, you name it. For C, the compiler isn't bad at all, but the newer features (like using the include file windows.h, using Windows API, modern graphics, having BIG arrays, and BIG integers), just aren't there.

Originally Posted by MK27

Umm, I think it will compile C but unfortunately enforces some C++ type restrictions. Again this is based on hearsay

Visual C++ does C properly. no restrictions from C++. it has excellent intellisense and syntax highlighting. however it doesn't support C99.

Okk guys...using pelles c for the time being...along with a bit of Dev C++!

From the vibes i am getting here i think i will stay away from Turbo C...thanks for cautioning me off...i was almost gonna start using it!

Nyways will try nd focus on the coding part for the time bring :-)

Codeblock, and Eclipse (just make sure to grab the C version and not the Java) are good as well.

If you want lightweight and free, you can look into EMAC, VI, VIM as editors and use the command line to compile and such. If you have a good Makefile compiling is as easy as typing "make"

All in all it's about finding one you like and using it. It is a touchy subject when it is a "what is the best IDE" to use.


If you pick one, just pull it up on google and see how often it's updated, and if its actually "current."

Comparison of integrated development environments - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you'd like, you can take a look here. It won't exactly give you reviews, but it does list a lot of IDEs and let you compare them rather well.

As Strahd said though, do your research first... nothing worse than downloading a seemingly amazing IDE and then realize it's no longer being developed.