Re: Free C++compilers for a classroom
* john:
Jensen Somers wrote:
I think Dev-CPP is too outdated. It's a nice tool and I have used it
throughout college myself, but it seems it has not been updated for
some time now. As an IDE it's missing some features I like and most
starting programmers would also like making programming easier and
more fun.
Now, the best C++ compiler is still g++ in my opinion, so Cygwin would
be an option. The downside is the "difficult" build process.
Depending on the strictness and difficulty of the courses I would
advise you to use Visual C++ Express Edition 2005 (free Visual Studio
version). It has almost all the benefits of the wonderful Visual
Studio IDE and has a pretty good and up-to-date C++ compiler.
Excellent for a beginner.
I myself use Visual Studio at work every day, mainly developing C++
applications without using MS Windows specific calls and functionality
and it works very well.
Given most students most likely run MS Windows at home this free
version does not require much knowledge and experience to install and
to start programming with.
I checked Visual C++ 2005 Express, but I think it requires much steps
for learning ISO C++ programming. You have got to create a Win32 Console
project and erase the tmain() and #include "stdafx.h", and create your
ISO C++ program. I think it isn't convenient for learning ISO C++. I
think VC++/VS is mainly suited for real already programmers to create
real world system-specific .NET/Win32 applications, as opposed to
students learning ISO C++ programming.
I don't have Visual C++ 2005 Express, but surely it's possible to create
an empty project. Also, surely it's still possible to create a GUI
program project. Finally, learning to use the tools is necessary anyway.
So far from what I have tested, I think Dev-C++ with the latest MinGW
and perhaps DJGPP with RHIDE are more suited for ISO C++ beginners.
I had to look up DJGPP and RHIDE in Wikipedia. :-)
Cheers,
- Alf
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