shiner Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Hey guys, I have a few basic questions If I want to program in C++ on my home PC I guess I need to install a software development kit. From what I understand this includes the editor and the compiler. I want the compiler to be g++. Is this kit something that I can just download or do I need to buy it? From where? And one more thing. Once I write the program, compile it, etc. how do I use it on a different computer. I mean do I just save the exe file on disc, and download on the other computer? But then how can I interface with the program? I'm not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DominO123 Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) Hey guys, I have a few basic questions If I want to program in C++ on my home PC I guess I need to install a software development kit. From what I understand this includes the editor and the compiler. I want the compiler to be g++. Is this kit something that I can just download or do I need to buy it? From where? And one more thing. Once I write the program, compile it, etc. how do I use it on a different computer. I mean do I just save the exe file on disc, and download on the other computer? But then how can I interface with the program? I'm not sure. There are free kits, and often with C++ books a free cd is provided. For your last question, it all depend on the compiler, if it is compiled (on windows PC) to run on windows, it will run on windows. But from computers to others (even if both are windows) there might by problems due to the lacking libraries. But you have to ask others like Sip for more information. If you want it to run on Linux, you have to compile it on Linux with the required libraries and the compiler. Edited June 11, 2009 by DominO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garo Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 If it's going to be a Windows application then the easiest and fastest way to get started is to use visual rapid application development tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio (http://www.microsoft.com/express/product/default.aspx) or CodeGear C++ Builder (http://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder/), etc. Depending on how complex your program is you might be able to distribute it by copying the executable file only or you will need to build installation package that will include all the libraries your program depends on to properly install and run it on other computers. Most RAD tools come with installation package builder to help you with building installation files. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 What is your goal shiner? Do you just want to dabble for fun or do you have some specific objectives? If you are going to dabble for fun, I would recommend you start doing it in linux. Gcc/g++ is practically built in and you will be programming your first program in a matter of seconds. In windows, you can definitely get g++ free. Standard way is to get cygwin which emmulates a linux/unix environment. It has its quirks but not too bad to get started. The problem with the fancy shmancy Microsoft development tools is that they are VERY microsoft specific. If you specifically want to develop windows apps, then definitely Garo has some good pointers. But if you just want to learn pure C/C++ from the ground up, without the Microsoft MESS (ok they do have some good stuff), then starting with g++ and a simple editor is an excellent strategy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 This is the first link in google for installing g++/cygwin in windows: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/math/ALee/g++/g++.html Not sure if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Here is another option to just get a basic gcc/g++ installation in windows: http://www.mingw.org I've never tried it but it seems like it might be a good start if you don't want to mess with linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiner Posted June 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Thanks a lot guys! I just want to dabble for fun, definitely not anything fancy, just a little practice here and there. I'm starting from the ground up, in the sense that I'm just now learning the basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sip Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Sounds like an excellent idea I would say give that mingw a try. It might just be what you need to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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