Possible to write a C++ program for Windows XP without any licensing?

[brxndxn]

I want to write a simple program for XP (basically for my own learning). But, if it turns out how I plan, it will be a useful simple program and I would like to release it to whoever wants it.

However, I am worried about licensing. Like, if I program it on a Microsoft compiler (of which, I cannot afford), do I have to worry about them coming after me?

Is there a freeware C++ compiler that will work for Windows XP?

Also, are there any good sites for getting information about writing for Windows XP? I have some C and Java experience but I would be basically writing this program for learning C++.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

As far as I know, compiling something in Visual Studio places no restrictions upon the resulting binaries.

 

[Descartes]

The only licensing restrictions imposed upon your application are those of the libraries you employ. If you're using the components of any third-party (including MS), you'll need to assimilate their licensing restrictions as well.

 

[Nothinman]

If you're using the components of any third-party (including MS), you'll need to assimilate their licensing restrictions as well.

This can't be true, otherwise anything that links against MFC*.dll would need to be closed source. As long as you follow MS' redistribution rules (if you want to redistribute their libraries) you should be able to license your code however you want.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

If you're using the components of any third-party (including MS), you'll need to assimilate their licensing restrictions as well.

This can't be true, otherwise anything that links against MFC*.dll would need to be closed source. As long as you follow MS' redistribution rules (if you want to redistribute their libraries) you should be able to license your code however you want.

Isn't that what I said? The point is that you can't buy one version of a third-party library and redistribute it at will unless the license says you can. MS' license with regards to MFC don't have any such limitations if you have a VS license.

So... you assimilate the licensing restrictions of your third-party libraries.

 

[Nothinman]

Isn't that what I said?

You said use, you can use the library but not redistribute it.

 

[tboneuls]

Have you heard of Dev-C++? It's free... not nearly M$, but hey, it's free.

http://www.bloodshed.net/dev/

 

[DaveSimmons]

> Is there a freeware C++ compiler that will work for Windows XP?

gcc and borland's command-line, but VC++ is the best for Windows development. Apps created with VC++ are license-free, as Descartes says you only run into licensing issues if you use some third-party component like a text editor, grid or a zip library.

Even then you generally get a royalty-free distribution license when you buy a component , you're just not allowed to give people any source code that shows other programmers the specific license key for the component that is embedded in your application. If you wanted to share the source code, you'd need to replace the license key with a dummy key so that other programmers have to buy their own copy of the grid or zip library.

At work for example, we use a spell checker from Wintertree and the Dynazip zip library. We don't pay any royalties for either, we just paid a one-time fee to buy the right to use each component in our programs.

> Also, are there any good sites for getting information about writing for Windows XP? I have some C and Java experience but I would be basically writing this program for learning C++.

A million of them, try some googling. www.CodeProject.com is one of the best for sample code you can use. For Win32 API the standard text is Petzold - Programming Windows, for the MFC framework my favorite book is Jeff Prosise's, and for .Net uhhh, ask Descartes?

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
I want to write a simple program for XP (basically for my own learning). But, if it turns out how I plan, it will be a useful simple program and I would like to release it to whoever wants it.

However, I am worried about licensing. Like, if I program it on a Microsoft compiler (of which, I cannot afford), do I have to worry about them coming after me?

Is there a freeware C++ compiler that will work for Windows XP?

Also, are there any good sites for getting information about writing for Windows XP? I have some C and Java experience but I would be basically writing this program for learning C++.

you dont have to wrry about licensing, if you link into any ms dll's and you want to redistribute them they have some rules for that but nothing serious. if its all your code, you are totally fine, you release whatever you want.

 

[PCHPlayer]

The M$ compilers are free! You have to provide your own IDE, but the compilers are the right price. I do not know the link, but there was another compiler thread not long ago that had the link.

 

[AlexWade]

The DLL's are provided as part of the OS. All DLL's are #include's, which are commonly used and precompiled.