fireplace_tea wrote: > Hello Everyone, > > I am new to C++ Programming and would like suggestions for a really > good, yet free, C++ Compiler. > > Thanks, > Julie
When you joined the group, you should have received the group welcome message. It contained information on how to find a compiler. In general, beginners should have a compiler, IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and, most importantly, a debugger. The compiler suite should also be up to date and ANSI C/C++ Standards compliant. "Up to date" means that the compiler component itself was updated sometime in the last three years. Finding a new compiler is quite easy. c-prog maintains a massive 'Links' section on its website. One of those sections is entitled "Compilers (free)": http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/c-prog/links/Compilers_000986587674/ There are hundreds of free compilers to choose from. However, there are just a handful that are popular, well supported, ANSI Standard, and free: Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express wxDev-C++ MinGW gcc/g++ C++ compilers are usually backwards-compatible and will also compile C code. Of the compilers listed, Microsoft Visual C++ (including Express) currently has the best debugger on the planet - period. If you are learning C/C++, the ability to step through code line by line and see what is wrong is invaluable. Other compiler suites have debuggers but aren't nearly as good. There are two commercial (non-free) compilers worth mentioning as well. Compilers that are not free have to provide a LOT of added value to justify their cost. Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional - In general, if you plan on doing Microsoft Windows-specific GUI development (e.g. involving COM, ATL, MFC, Office, Vista, etc.), this is the development suite to have. Many developers enhance the environment with third-party tools such as Visual Assist X. Also, a number of popular open source projects (e.g. TortoiseSVN) will completely build only under the latest version of Visual Studio Professional. Be prepared to pay Microsoft prices though. Comeau C++ - This is the most ANSI Standards compliant compiler in existence. Period. And it is available for virtually every modern platform. They have an online code compiler so you can see if code that doesn't compile under your compiler but should will compile under theirs. -- Thomas Hruska CubicleSoft President Ph: 517-803-4197 *NEW* MyTaskFocus 1.1 Get on task. Stay on task. http://www.CubicleSoft.com/MyTaskFocus/
