6 replies to this topic

[sparkx]

Now I am currently using Dev-C++ by Bloodshed. I don't like it much first off it closes the prompt automaticly I cannot see if my program worked or not. I am also working on visual c++ and it doesn't seem to be support making a window.
I want to just replace it all togeather. What is a good C++ compiler for windows xp? I heard that Microsoft Visual C++ is good for visual c++ but what are your reviews? I am planing on making advanced 3D software (games) using C++. I would like it if all the compilers suggested supported GLauxe  (if you know what that means).
Also I know that this is possible with java but is it also possible to compile C++ with Windows Command Prompt? Is so what files do I need to download.
Thanks,
Sparkx
Note: I am new to programming in C++. I know very little about the subject other then making simply commands within main().
Sorry for any odd spacing in this post. My computer does not support the <textarea> used in IPB.

[polarysekt]

Since you're using the win32 platform already, I would recommend Microsoft's Visual C++ Express 2005 -- It's completely free... but the initial version is a bit lacking in features...
Here's the App (you might require validation):


http://msdn.microsof...xpress/visualc/


In order to create ordinary win32 applications (withOUT the .NET framework) you need to download the Microsoft Platform SDK... Here's that one:

http://www.microsoft...;displaylang=en

(the prettier links all redirect to this asp...)


Anyways - once you get that installed into a good, firm location, you should proceed to your Visual C++ install directory...

Access:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\VCProjectDefaults
the file you want is: corewin_express.vsprops

locate the line:
AdditionalDependencies=”kernel32.lib”

and you want to add the win32 api dependencies as well, so make sure it reads:
AdditionalDependencies=”kernel32.lib user32.lib gdi32.lib winspool.lib comdlg32.lib advapi32.lib shell32.lib ole32.lib oleaut32.lib uuid.lib”

notice they're separated by spaces only

now enter the folder:
C:\ProgramFiles\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\VCWizards\AppWiz\Generic\Application\html\1033

it's pretty freakin deep, but go all the way and find: AppSettings.htm

on lines 441-444 (if you don't have the info, search!) WIN_APP and DLL_APP are disabled... just script comment them out...

// WIN_APP.disabled = true;
// WIN_APP_LABEL.disabled = true;
// DLL_APP.disabled = true;
// DLL_APP_LABEL.disabled = true;

notice all i added was the //


the last thing now is to run Visual C++... if you've already done so you need to restart it to make sure the changes you made to the settings are applied....

you'll need now to add links for the LIBRARIES, HEADERS, and EXECUTABLES....

Go to TOOLS->OPTIONS...
Open the Projects and Solutions node on the left... and Select VC++ Directories...

on the right you will need to modify the dropdown combo selection to access the three areas in question...

Library Files

(install dir:default is \Program Files\Microsoft Platform SDK) \Lib
so include the Lib folder...


Include Files

(install dir) \Include


Executables

(install dir) \Bin



Save your settings there... and try to make an app!

Oh yeah... until you set yourself your own framework, you must access win32 apps from the "Console Application" project... When you select this, you need to access Application Settings before creating the project, and there are a few more familiar options available... Windows application is probably what you'll want...


hope you check it out... i moved finally from DevC++ a little while back, because it so indirectly used the MSVCRT.dll -- Visual C++ steps directly to the important API .dll's -- also - it's FREE : )

[wutske]

wow ... doesn't it do all those steps automaticaly ? I have Visual Studio 2005 and all I had to do is run the installer, write my program and push F5 to compile and run my program

[polarysekt]

Visual C++ 2008 allows you to program right off the bat....


I also downloaded the PSDK from microsoft though i can't tell if that mattered...

anyways it's been working just fine, and I'm pretty sure it has full 64-bit support... and I know the last version of DevC++ I used was still quite experimental in the 64-bit department...


not to mention you no longer require MSVCRT.DLL if you compile with VC++ as opposed to the mingw system... they said they were working on a custom runtime, but I haven't seen an update, especially with Dev-C++... in years...

Edited by polarysekt, 05 January 2008 - 09:55 PM.

[xboxrulz]

I always support open source software, so I will suggest you MinGW, it's a Windows version of GCC. GCC is the basis of Linux programming (you must use GCC if you want to compile it without a problem on Linux and other unices).

GCC is GNU's C compiler. It is free and 100% open source!

http://www.mingw.org/
The GCC website: http://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/

xboxrulz

[Quatrux]

I used to use Dev-C++ and it was quite a normal compiler, but one day it just stopped working normally, I read that it was a bug, even though it wasn't updated for quite a while, but I guess something other did update on Windows side, that once a program is compiled, I couldn't compile it again, due to it was in use, even though it closed it, even after that I couldn't delete the exe file from the debug, I needed to reboot and delete it or again to compile it, due to it could overwrite, but again, the same thing happened..

After that I tried to use Eclipse C++, but I didn't like couple of things and didn't understand couple of things, so just moved to Visual Studio 2005 C++, even though I didn't like it, but with time I got used to it and in the University they usually use it, so I can't say anything bad, even though I would like a better simple free C/C++ Compiler, for free or even open source..

[The Pixel Coder]

Mmh, games huh. What kind of games? Crossplatfrom (opengl?) or windows-specific (DX?)

I mostly prefer Code::Blocks IDE, which uses the MinGW (windows) compiler or GCC (linux). It even has a ready opengl sample application to get you started (no configuration or additional header files needed).
If, however, youre going for DX, i suppose only windows, then i think MS Visual C++ would be a bad idea. I just saw VC++ 2008 is available to download and i also did so (however, not many changes compared to previous 2005 version).

Gl with your game...