Best C++ IDE & Compiler to use?

[woody.cool]

Hi all,

I'm somewhat of a noob, and would like to start learning C++

Which is the best C++ IDE & Compiler to use? I have Windows Vista and Windows 7.
I do actually have Visual C++ v6.0 on a CD kicking around ..... is this likely to work with Vista or 7?

Also, on the same subject, what's the best C++ IDE and/or Compiler for the Amiga?
I'm somewhat of an Amiga nut and would like to get into C or C++ on the Amiga.

[Shockwave]

There are two that I would reccomend for windows, the best environment would be microsoft's visual c express 2008, it would probably be worth a fresh download as it sets its self up now to a large extent (you had to tweak install the platform SDK by hand before, which you will need if you are going to write windows applications).

You can get it here;

http://www.microsoft.com/express/vc/

The other thing which will get you off the blocks a lot faster is bloodsheds Devc.

Devc runs straight out of the blocks and is fine for you to write console applications (essential so you can learn the syntax of C++).

Devc:

http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

It's what I used when I was learning the fundamentals of C++, I found it perfectly adequate and easier to use the environment than visual studio (although you will come to love visual studio more after using it for a while).

As for an Amiga C++ Compiler, well, someone else will give you better advice, the only things I used on the Amiga were Amos and Devpac, and I was never any good at either of them

[rdc]

Another good option is Code::Blocks. It works with a number of compilers and comes with GCC (MingW for windows) as part of the install. I have been using it along with MS C++ Express. Both are excellent packages. The good thing about MS C++ is that there is a lot of documentation to get you going which is a real plus. GCC docs exist, but they aren't quite as good.

One thing you might want to try if you have any used books stores in your part of the world is to check for C++ books. I picked up 2 excellent C++ books from Sam's Publishing, C++ Primer Plus and Objected Oriented Programming in C++, for a dollar (US) each. The Primer book is a hardback to boot. Both are dated from 1999, but the main language principles and constructs are still valid and applicable.

[woody.cool]

Cool!
All the recommendations seem like good ones.

One major question: with the 'express' version of MS C++, can you create stand-alone executables?

[rdc]

You sure can

One major question: with the 'express' version of MS C++, can you create stand-alone executables?

Yes, you sure can. You can create both Win32 and .Net apps.

[hellfire]

A major drawback of the "express" edition is that you can't install plugins; particularly Visual Assist which is a must have.

[woody.cool]

I happen to have acquired a copy of Visual C++ 6.0
Will this work on Vista or Windows 7?
Also, is such an old version recommended?

[Jim]

VC6 is a bit old, but it will almost certainly work.  It needs to run as administrator on Vista and Windows7.  It can't build .net programs, since .net hadn't been invented back then.  You really would be better off downloading Visual C++ Express 2008 if you have the download quota available.

The last time I used an Amiga C compiler was 1993, probably, but the best PD one I could fund was NorthC, and the best commercial one was Lattice C 5.0.  I used Emacs from the Workbench Extras disk for an editor - in the AGA productivity video modes it's really usable.

Jim

[woody.cool]

Cool

Looks like Visual C++ Express 2008 it is then.
I'll get that downloaded and installed (sometime this week) and then I'll make a start.
Baring in mind I'm a complete C++ n00b, expect stupid and silly questions from me .... sorry!

[madsravn]

I happen to have acquired a copy of Visual C++ 6.0
Will this work on Vista or Windows 7?
Also, is such an old version recommended?

I hear that some of the high-end 4k and 1k demo makers are still using this version. Think I read a guide by iq (from rgba) where he tells which reasons he has for using it.

And for the stupid and silly questions you might have, don't think less of yourself for that. We have all been there - going from some simple IDE to a quite big one like Visual Studio takes some getting used to.
I just started using Idea IntelliJ at work - I feel the pain all over again.

[stormbringer]

I still use VC++ 6.0 for fun and professional work. Works perfectly fine, but of course forget about .net.... will you ever use that?? unless you write specific apps for the Windows platform, .net is of no use (plus it comes with a few hundred megs of DLLs which eat up your hard drive space very quickly).

I also use Express 2008 when needed, but I prefer the simplicity of the VC++ 6.0 IDE which is fast (no bells and whistles).

It all depends on what you plan to do. VC 6.0 is good for learning, but if you plan to use some static libs compiled by others with newer versions of VC, then pick Express 2008 (or a non-free version if you have money to spend)

[Jim]

.Net is crossplatform - and cpu independent too. http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page
Many of the next Linux distributions will ship with Mono by default.
.Net is rubbish for demos though.

Jim

[ferris]

Madsravn: correct. MANY 4k coders use it as it's supposed to produce smaller code than 2008, however; I've actually found hardcore size-optimized code will need to be tested on multiple compilers for the best compression ratio.

In any case, if tinycoding's your goal, your best bet is to prototype in C/C++ and rewrite in assembly...but this is a bit advanced for now

I would reccomend VC++ 2008 Express because the IDE is more of an industry-standard. However, I've been using Dev-C++ for demos and games for over 3 years, and it's never failed me either.

As far as .net stuff goes, I've always been fine with never using it