Thread: Free compiler for commercial development? (mingw?)

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    7

    Free compiler for commercial development? (mingw?)

    Hi-
    I've been asked to create an app that may be sold for a profit. It's kind of an experiment, and I'm not sure if it will really take off. I'd like to not have to shell out a lot of dough for some development tools. What are the restrictions on software compiled with mingw? D they fall under the GPL? The way I understand it, only software that includes other software under GPL must be distributed under GPL. Does this happen woth mingw (this is what I don't understand) if I #include windows.h, what is being compiled into my exe? Studd that is already part of windows, or something that is distributed with mingw under GPL?

  2. #2
    Yes, my avatar is stolen anonytmouse's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Posts
    2,544
    There is no copyright requirements on executables produced with MinGW or Dev-C++. Dev-C++ is an IDE that uses MinGW and is often recommended. MinGW License FAQ.

    The Visual C++ toolkit is a free command line version of the Microsoft compiler and can also be used to compile commerical applications.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    7
    Quote Originally Posted by anonytmouse
    There is no copyright requirements on executables produced with MinGW or Dev-C++. Dev-C++ is an IDE that uses MinGW and is often recommended. MinGW License FAQ.
    thats's it thanks anontymouse.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    847
    Quote Originally Posted by anonytmouse
    The Visual C++ toolkit is a free command line version of the Microsoft compiler and can also be used to compile commerical applications.
    There is also Visual c++ 2005 Express Edition which is newer and comes with an IDE, you also have to get the platform SDK to use with it.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    7
    Quote Originally Posted by Quantum1024
    There is also Visual c++ 2005 Express Edition which is newer and comes with an IDE, you also have to get the platform SDK to use with it.

    I have VC++ Express edition, and it allows you to create console projects, not gui. I guess you can get the libraries from somewhere else?

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    847
    Quote Originally Posted by kook44
    I have VC++ Express edition, and it allows you to create console projects, not gui. I guess you can get the libraries from somewhere else?
    Create a new project and then on the right select general and chose empty project. MSVC will decide weather your project is a console or GUI app depending on weather you use main or WinMain.

  7. #7
    Registered User Dante Shamest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    970
    You may also want to take a look at Code::Blocks Studio. It supports a whole range of compilers. There's one download that comes with MinGW.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    203
    Quote Originally Posted by kook44
    I have VC++ Express edition, and it allows you to create console projects, not gui. I guess you can get the libraries from somewhere else?
    Look at http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ex...alc/usingpsdk/
    It tells you how to setup the Platform SDK and how to set it up for Win32 apps.
    Also, http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hs24szh9.aspx tells you the differences in each version of VC++ 2005
    The only major thing I see (I'm still a beginner though) is no MFC. I do believe it can do .NET stuff, but I don't know anything about .NET

    edit: found online links
    Last edited by Syneris; 01-06-2006 at 10:19 PM.

  9. #9
    Registered User kryptkat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Posts
    638
    http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003/ only has a subset of header files. No windows.h or any win32 app. the platform sdk is 390m download. :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Meow!

    It comes with a shell. i was looking at stdio.h of borland and vctoolkit2003 to see if i could port the win32 apps over but they are way to different. they should have included win32 app stuff with the toolkit. meow.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. The Free Borland C++Builder Compiler
    By E><][t in forum Windows Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-14-2002, 10:17 PM
  2. Visual Basic Compiler Free???
    By Raian in forum Windows Programming
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-09-2001, 04:17 AM
  3. Free Visual C Compiler?
    By unanimous in forum C Programming
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 12-05-2001, 03:15 PM
  4. How do I set up Borland's C++ Free compiler
    By Unregistered in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 11-03-2001, 11:18 PM
  5. how to compile a dll with free borland compiler.
    By richgi in forum C Programming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-13-2001, 09:04 AM