Good C++ compiler for Windows XP?

[pookguy88]

A friend of mine wants to start learning C++; he's already bought a book but doesn't know which program to d/l in order to start coding up some programs..

can anyone recommend a good, easy to use compiler for Windows XP?

edit: oh yeah, it needs to be free too

 

[drag]

Usually books include software on a cdrom or something.

gcc is a good compiler. It's free. Variations do C, C++, and a few other languages. It's pretty much the industry standard. It's what they use to build operating systems such as OS X and Linux.

Don't think it's quite what you were expecting though.

you can find it here


Microsoft has no-cost versions aviable, but they aren't.. quite.. Free.
Just no-cost.

 

[pookguy88]

yeah, i need something simple for windows

 

[imported_FishTaco]

devcpp, free C++ ide

 

[pookguy88]

Originally posted by: FishTaco
devcpp, free C++ ide

perfect, thats just the one i was going to post and ask you guys to see if it was ok..
i'm gonna tell him to d/l this.
thanks

edit: i don't need to install any other SDKs or anything in order to run this program right?

 

[mundane]

For IDEs:

no-cost - I'd recommend http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/...s/visualc/default.aspx

If you're looking to potentially produce commercial code, look at http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

 

[imported_FishTaco]

There are packages available from the site for various GUI toolkits or graphics, but if he's just learning and starting with simple console apps, he shouldn't need anything else. Just get the one with mingw included.

 

[randumb]

Dev-C++ (IDE for MinGW) is quite good.

 

[Peetoeng]

Open Watcom

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: drag
gcc is a good compiler. It's free. Variations do C, C++, and a few other languages. It's pretty much the industry standard. It's what they use to build operating systems such as OS X and Linux.

Really? I didn't know OS X was built with gcc. Well, I guess the Darwin part isn't surprising but does Apple also use it for the rest of the system as well?

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: pookguy88

Originally posted by: FishTaco
devcpp, free C++ ide

perfect, thats just the one i was going to post and ask you guys to see if it was ok..
i'm gonna tell him to d/l this.
thanks

edit: i don't need to install any other SDKs or anything in order to run this program right?

Should be good to go out of the box, aside from some minor setting up. My vote for simplest beginner IDE.