C Compiler

[GraemeM]

What is a good (hopefully free) C Compiler? I'd also like a visual program (basically I don't want to make a program in notepad). I haven't programmed with C before, any suggestions?

[ZeratulsAvenger]

C or C++? Does it matter? I can't remember. Try this.

[aym]

Originally Posted by ZeratulsAvenger C or C++? Does it matter? I can't remember. Try this.

Dev-C++ works for both C and C++, I recommend it too.

[rcvalencia9]

I used Borland Turbo C before. Its DOS based. I use Visual C++ 6.0. My opinion is that you should learn a lower language first. It will make things easier.

[GraemeM]

I know a lower language, I know both VB and JAVA fairly well. Its just that I'm trying to get the basis for a lot of different languages. Thanks guys anyawys, I'll try that out

[GraemeM]

ok, since I'm new to this language, I don't know how it works

The first thing is that I downloaded that Dev one and its about 5mb, I know Java's SDK is over 100mb. Do i have to download something else, or do I have to download every library I want to use seperately. Basically, why is this file so small?

Also, if this compiler works for C and C++, how does it know which one? Is there something in the code where you specify or can the compiler automatically detect by the type of coding (object orinted versus whatever u call what C uses)

Oh and can you make windows interfaces with C, or do you have to use C++?

[mattg2k4]

It's smaller because C and C++ are much more compact (some would say less bloated) than Java. That said, the Dev-C++ installer is about 13MB for version 5 (beta), and 7.5MB for version 4. As long as you downloaded one of these it's fine.

It knows if you're using C or C++ because when you create a project it asks you which you want. You can probably also change it after you've created a project in the settings somewhere, but I've never had a need to do that.

I know you can make Windows GUI's in C, probably using the windows API, but I'm not one to ask about that.

Incidentally, since your first post said you don't like making programs in Notepad, I would recomend getting Notepad2, which is IMHO an excellent text editor with context highlighting for multiple languages. I actually prefer writing code in it over the Dev-C++ code editor, but it's kind of a bother to keep switching between Notepad2 and Dec-C++. You may not ever program C++ in it, but it's much better than Windows notepad for any text editing you ever need to do. You can even replace windows notepad with it, but it does take a bit of work (Windows doesn't like you messing around with it's executables).

[GraemeM]

alrite, thanks for that. I guess I'll start some command prompt programs soon. Then I can get into GUI's (which is apparently a lot harder than JAVA).

[mattg2k4]

Yes, GUI's are more difficult in C/C++ than Java, but, like most things in C++, they run faster and you have much more control over it.