Thread: Best free compiler?

  1. #1
    Slime Dragoon_42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Vancouver
    Posts
    90

    Best free compiler?

    I've been using DJGPP for Windows and just realized I hit a stack size limit. I was wondering if DevC++ or MinGW have the same limitation or if there's an even better compiler. I really need to switch over to FreeBSD soon, programming would go so much smoother for me I think.

  2. #2
    Code Goddess Prelude's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    9,897
    Try them and see. I haven't noticed any stack limitations with either.
    My best code is written with the delete key.

  3. #3
    I am the worst best coder Quantrizi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    644
    Dev-C++ uses MingW...doesn't it? Even if it doesn't, Dev-C++ does a really good job. I haven't noticed any stack limitations while using it.

  4. #4
    & the hat of GPL slaying Thantos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    5,681
    Dev-C++ uses a port of GCC and G++. Though I can be configured to use MingW also.

    Edit: I have exceeded the stack limitations using Dev-C++ before. Of course the same program exceeded the stack limitation on my Linux machine also. <shakes fist at deep recursion>

  5. #5
    Hardware Engineer
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    1,398

    A true-DOS compiler?

    I believe that DJGPP is a true DOS compiler. It runs on Windows, and the resulting 16-bit execuitables will run on a Windows system, but the execuitables will also run on 16-bit DOS machines. This means that you are subject to the old DOS memory limitations.

    Compilers that generate Windows Console applications should be able to make programs that have access to Windows vitrual memory. In theory, you program could use all of the empty space on your hard drive as memory! In reality, I'm not sure what limitations exist for the various compilers. (A console program 'looks like' a DOS program, but will not run on a 16 bit DOS machine.)

  6. #6
    C++ Witch laserlight's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    28,413
    Dev-C++ uses a port of GCC and G++. Though I can be configured to use MingW also.
    Actually, Dev-C++ by default uses the MinGW port of GCC (and of course G++).
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

  7. #7
    still a n00b Jaguar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    187
    stack limitation should depends on "system" not "compiler"

    [edit] and it should also depends on ram you have on your machine
    Last edited by Jaguar; 04-14-2004 at 12:18 PM.
    slackware 10.0; kernel 2.6.7
    gcc 3.4.0; glibc 2.3.2; vim editor
    migrating to freebsd 5.4

  8. #8
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,661
    DJGPP is NOT a 16 bit compiler - it is a 32 bit compiler which creates DOS protected mode applications.

    If the OP had bothered to read the DJGPP FAQ, fixing the problem would be easy.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  9. #9
    Registered User strontium90's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    3
    Hi,
    as far as free compilation systems concern, I use Borland's freely available C++ compiler version 5.5:
    http://www.borland.com/products/down..._cbuilder.html
    in addition to the MinGW toolset.

    -strontium90

  10. #10
    mustang benny bennyandthejets's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    1,401
    You know, you can get a copy of Visual Studio .NET for AU$170, if you're a student. It's definately worth your money.
    [email protected]
    Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect
    Windows XP Pro

    Code Tags
    Programming FAQ
    Tutorials

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. Best C compiler (free)
    By esbo in forum C Programming
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 06-11-2007, 10:38 PM
  2. "if you love someone" :D
    By Carlos in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 10-02-2003, 01:10 AM
  3. Compiler Design... Anyone That Can Help!
    By ComputerNerd888 in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-27-2003, 09:48 AM
  4. EzWindows and Borland 5.5 free compiler
    By savageag in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-15-2003, 09:49 PM
  5. free c++ compiler?
    By sayword in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-06-2003, 10:49 PM