C++ Software Question

[turbosz]

I want to use a c++ programming language..i was wondering whats the difference between Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual C++.NET, Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 ...I am using windows xp..can someone explain please.

[doctorgonzo]

Visual Studio includes a bunch of programming languages, including Visual C++ and Visual Basic. So if you buy Visual Studio, you can program in Visual C++. The current version is Visual Studio.NET. The version before that was Visual Studio 6.0. You can also just buy Visual C++; it is cheaper than buying the Visual Studio.

So if you want it all in the latest and greatest version, get Visual Studio.NET, which includes Visual C++ and C#. But that is quite spendy. If you are starting out, getting Visual C++ 6.0 is cheaper, and should serve you fine.

[aym]

If you want to learn C++, you can start with a free compiler, then after mastering the standard C++ you can move to more advanced topics like windows programming, and buy Visual C++.
A free compiler can be found here:
http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

[mattg2k4]

I'm pretty sure you can get an academic version of the whole studio at a college bookstore for less than $150, but I don't remember the precise price. That is not half bad for all that software.

You could also get the student's edition of c++, which will only compile programs with a message on their startup which says that it isn't licensed for distribution and so on. I'm not sure if it costs anything, or what, I just know some people that have it.

[Paul Victorey]

My academic version was $35

Microsoft has a special deal with the University of Wisconsin.