Thread: Compilers 101... and your opinion

  1. #1
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    Compilers 101... and your opinion

    I jumped in with the Dev-C++, priced the MSVC(which is now in the .net versions), shied away from Borland because of the ominous postings of having to learn Borland C++... etc., etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum... LOL!

    But, my question is;

    If I want to learn and find easy tutorials, which compiler is best?
    -Which ones work 'easily' with allegro, GLUT, Dx and other fun stuff?

    For instance, while there are help files on getting Dev-C++ to use Allegro... For some reason my make file command at the dos prompt doesnt make anything and of course wont install allegro thereafter.

    Then Dev-C++ wont work with GLUT... I'm thinking there will ne a lot of info to learn from using GLUT.

    Dx is more of a later concern....

    So anyone want to give their opinions on the different compilers available for the c++ learning?

    Thanks,

    Grumpy
    (and quickly developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)

  2. #2
    Registered User major_small's Avatar
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    i say, stay away from MSVC, and go with either borland or Dev... I'm going with Dev after upgrading from an older borland compiler... both worked fine for what I needed, and Dev has some nice semi-hidden programs that you can take a look into... like one that draws a ball 'bouncing' around the edges in a windows app...
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    Why not MSVC?

    Can it use allegro and Glut?

  4. #4
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    Personally, I prefer Borland to MSVC. At any rate, though, I'd stick with Dev-C++/GCC for a while. No need to jump into the more expensive compilers just yet (and, GCC is a professional grade compiler anyways). You can use Allegro, OpenGL/GLUT with it. I'm sure you can get the DirectX packages somewhere too, but as you said, thats of later concern.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

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    Besides the $, why do you prefer other compilers over MSVC?
    Well, there are a few things wrong with your code:

    1) It does not work.
    2) It does not work.
    3) It does not work.

    Hope this helps.

  6. #6
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    I prefer the Borland IDE. Also, the compiler (background compiling) is very nice, and very standard compliant. It optimizes (speed) fairly well, but suffers from a little bit of code bloat (only significant in very small projects) because of some of the libraries it links in (in particular related to VCL). I also much prefer its debugger to MS's. It just always seemed easier to use and slightly more reliable than MSVC (though I really have no complaints about MSVCs stability).

    I've been developing a good bit for IRIX and Linux though, lately, so I've been tending to use GCC. I must say, I like that it is free of the burden of proprietary features (at least for the most part) that both Borland and Microsoft have felt compelled to add.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

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    Can gcc be used on windows?


    [edit]
    DOH!!!
    [/edit]

    Nevermind that dumb question...

    I guess a better question is how well does DJGPP perform with all the tutorial code out there?

    Does it puke when fed Dx or other M$-Windows stuff?
    LOL!
    Last edited by Grumpy_Old_Man; 08-20-2003 at 12:08 AM.

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    I prefer GCC over the others.. Of course the fact that its free is one of the main reasons.But yea it is a proffessional class compiler, as far as I know it can do most of what the really expensive brand name ones can do.

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    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    Originally posted by Grumpy_Old_Man
    I guess a better question is how well does DJGPP perform with all the tutorial code out there?
    Considering that it is a DOS compiler, I doubt that it would support Win32.
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

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    Originally posted by XSquared
    Considering that it is a DOS compiler, I doubt that it would support Win32.
    Someone coulda said somethin before I wasted 2 days getting DJGPP, RHIDE, and ALLEGRO setup... LOL!

    At this rate, in abooout one year, I will be able to make a really visually ugly game that plays like the old nintendo... It'll 2 more years to move on up to really bad Super NES type games.

    I hate DOS, It sucked 10 years ago and it sucks even more today.

    I want to push a button and make things happen dammit!

    If I was to "download" MSVC6 and it was only 73Megs... What would be missing?

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    I want to push a button and make things happen dammit!
    Well, there are a few things wrong with your code:

    1) It does not work.
    2) It does not work.
    3) It does not work.

    Hope this helps.

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    I'll come in on the side of "I like MSVC++". VC++ 7.1 is a great compiler, perhaps the most standards-compliant out there, and I have had no problems with it.

    I dislike Borland because, several years ago when last I used them, their windows wrapper classes (OWL) didn't support Unicode or MBCS applications; I was in the bad position of having to either rewrite 80% of my application or tell international users they were out of luck.

    MFC is another nice advantage of VC++. It's not a substitute for the WinAPI, but when you need to crank out code as fast as you can, it can seriously slash development times. I think both the MFC-only users (who refuse to touch anything WinAPI directly) and the anti-MFC users (who refuse to use anything MFC) are fools; each is a good tool, and each has its uses.

    VC++ versions prior to 7.1 (AKA .NET 2003) are not nearly as good.

    However, before you shell out the cash to buy an expensive piece of software, make sure you like C++ in general. Use free compilers until you're sure you want to make the investment.

  13. #13
    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    >>I want to push a button and make things happen dammit!
    Then learn VB.
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

    You. Fetch me my copy of the Wall Street Journal. You two, fight to the death - Stewie

  14. #14
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    Borland dumped OWL a while back, and replaced it with VCL (visual component library). Its a nice library, and BCB's built in support for Delphi components can be quite nice. BCB is also a very standards-compliant compiler.

    Though, stick with GCC and such for a while until, as Cat said, your sure you like the language, and by that time, you'll probably be able to make a better decision about which compiler you want (or perhaps sticking with GCC).
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  15. #15
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    i guess i don't like MSVC because my friend used it and his programs wouldn't compile on my Dev compiler...
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