MSV-C++.. Worth it?

[Vicious]

I am currently using Dev-C++.
I was wanting your opinions on MSVC++ and if its worth the dough...

[Draco]

I would say it's definitely worth the money. It's probably the most complete compiler you can get, it's the most popular, and it has many extensions. If you do a lot of windows programming or a great deal of programming in general MSVC will be more than worth the purchase. If you don't do that much programming, you should first look at one of the many free gcc based compilers/editors.

[quzah]

You don't really buy it for the compiler. You buy it for all the stuff it comes with. (IDE, MSDN, etc.)

Quzah.

[spoon_]

Are you looking to get VC++6 or the .NET version (VC++7)?

I have both and the debugger on the .NET version is fantastic. I would recommend the .NET edition especially if you are interested in RAD.

I have the professional edition of VS.NET and use everything except J#. VB.NET is great when you need to write a quick hack. MSDN is extremely nice to have on your hard drive. If you have the cash, go for it.

[Draco]

what's RAD?

[Eber Kain]

I would guess

Rapid Appliation Development

But, im not .NET savy.


I paid $100 for MSVC6 and it is worth it. A cadillac compared to all the other compilers IDE's I have used. If you get it, learn to use the debugger.

[spoon_]

I would guess
Rapid Appliation Development

But, im not .NET savy.

Correct. You don't have to be .NET savy to know what RAD is. MFC, VB6 are RAD, eh?

[SMurf]

Also, MSVC (6 and below, at least) does "bend" the C/C++ standards in a variety of ways, so if you're learning with it, try to use ANSI/ISO based examples and tutorials rather than the little things it lets you do to write less code, wouldn't want you to use another compiler at a job and get errors everywhere (As happened to me recently)...

[Prelude]

>MSVC (6 and below, at least) does "bend" the C/C++ standards in a variety of ways
I haven't had any real problems with ISO C conformance with that compiler (and earlier versions), but C++ conformance is severely lacking because the compiler came out well before the standard was ratified. It's to be expected that it doesn't support many of the later features properly (and a few of the earlier ones correctly ). The .NET version is better by leaps and bounds.

[sand_man]

yeah M$ is evil for doing that
i think thats why sun won a law suit for ms not using pure java in j++

[Vicious]

I found the MSVC++ 2005 Express beta.

Is this going to be a free full release version?

EDIT: This Might be a silly question... but is it possible to write a pure C program in MSVC++ (2005 Express or others)?

[quzah]

Well if you've found the Express Beta, then you should have been able to read the FAQ there, which states that pricing has not been finalized yet. In MSVC++6 you can create C programs, so I'll assume you'll be able to do so in the newer version[s].

Quzah.

[Vicious]

Ok, thanks... I think. Actually I didnt even think about there being a FAQ there.. much less did I see it.

[quzah]

The Express Beta FAQ.

Quzah.

[Vicious]

Thanks Quzah.
Im glad I didnt go out and get MSVC++ .NET now. Im definately waiting on this to come out.