Thread: compilers-advice?

In all honesty I don't see what the whole hype over Dev-C++ is about. The best feature of the whole thing is the package manager if you ask me. The main reason I don't use Dev-C++ is simply because the syntax highlighting is probably some of the worst I've ever seen. But it's great since you can get support for almost anything you want on the go.


If you're working off of a Windows machine you will probably want to get something like Visual C++ or Visual Studio .NET since they are extremely robust and very very flexible.

If you're looking into a open source or free compiler for Windows, then you want Open Watcom. Totally free, and has a lot of very useful tools that a windows programmer can use. If you don't like Open Watcom (it is a very highly picky compiler, it forces you to really use clean code styles) then you'll probably want to go for GCC instead.


If you want an IDE for GCC or don't like the IDE for the compilers I mentioned (Open Watcoms' code editor isn't too hot if you ask me) then I recommend either Textpad or GNU Emacs. Emacs has more features than any other editor ever to exist, so it inheritly is very complex, but Textpad is extremely easy to use and has nice syntax highlighting.

Originally Posted by wakish

ok..

btw i just installed Dev version4 to experience it a bit..

hey guys when i compile a simple code without using "using namespace std;", the codes compile with no error...but in vc++ 6.0 when i compile without that too, it says error!

so what shud i conclude?or any explanation?

Thnx!

Kind Regards,
wakish

Since you're obviously new to C++ I will just say this: use using namespace std;, since later on it makes a lot more sense than it does when beginning the language.

What do you mean the syntax highlighting is off, It works fine for me.

As far as comparing Dev-C++ and GCC they are basically the same compiler. Dev-C++ is just the IDE it uses MinGW which is a windows port of the GCC compiler system.

If you can nab a free good version of VC++ go for it but if you are going to be paying for it just get Dev-C++ until you actually need all the "goodies" of VC++

>hey guys when i compile a simple code without using "using namespace std;", the codes compile with
>no error...but in vc++ 6.0 when i compile without that too, it says error!
Posting your program and error messages helps.

btw i just installed Dev version4 to experience it a bit..

Dev-C++4 is outdated (and uses an outdated compiler set), you should download and install Dev-C++5. The current version is Dev-C++ 4.9.9.2, which is a beta of Dev-C++5.

The outdated compiler set that Dev-C++4 uses is the reason why namespaces pose a problem to you.

Originally Posted by wakish

here it is:

Code:

#include <iostream>
#include <cstdlib>

//using namespace std;   ***NOT INCLUDING IT IN CODE***

int main()
{

	cout << "\nHi..this is a test msg!\n";


	system("pause");

	return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}






--------------------Configuration: test - Win32 Debug--------------------
Compiling...
test.cpp
 : error C2065: 'cout' : undeclared identifier

 : error C2297: '<<' : illegal, right operand has type 'char [21]'
Error executing cl.exe.

test.obj - 2 error(s), 0 warning(s)

As i said when compiled without including "using namespace std;", i get error (as shown above) from vc++ 6.0 and NO error with dev 4.

so if vc++ was to be "not so standard compliant", it shud not have shown this error msg. Right?

plz can anyone comment on this, thanks!

Regards,
wakish

Dev-Cpp should be giving you an error, did you read laserlight's post above?

Thats a different kind of "not so standard compliant" vc++ is more strict sometimes, or changes rules slightly.