Best complier for a newbie that is 14 years old

[add147]

Hello All,

I used to program some but its been about 20 years ago. I used the old Borland's 4.5 complier so that probably tells you how long its been since I have wrote any code.

Anyway I have a 14 years old son that is pretty good in math and I would like to expose him to some programming to see if he takes a liking to it. With that said what is the best over all complier out there that is free that would fit our needs on a Windows 7 box? I have read up on some out there but I would like to hear what your opinions are! Your time and thoughts would GREATLY be appreciated. Have a great day!!!

[3hM2Nwbp]

If you're going to be setting the environment up for him, then I'd recommend clang ( http://clang.llvm.org ) simply because of the fact that the compiler output is much easier on the eyes than both GCC and MSVC in many, many cases and might be more understandable for your son.

Example:

template<class T>
  class a {} // <-- missing ' ; '
  class temp {};
  a<temp> b;
  struct b {
  } // <-- missing ' ; ' 

GCC Output

  t.cc:3: error: multiple types in one declaration
  t.cc:4: error: non-template type 'a' used as a template
  t.cc:4: error: invalid type in declaration before ';' token
  t.cc:6: error: expected unqualified-id at end of input

Clang Output

  t.cc:2:11: error: expected ';' after class
  class a {}
            ^
  t.cc:6:2: error: expected ';' after struct
  }
   ^

[add147]

Well like I said its been over 20 years for me since I have programmed but I think I can still read up on it and get back into the swing of it. I remember the concept its just the syntax I am fuzzy on...Like the ole saying if you don't use it you will loose it...LOL...The only thing I got confused on was Structures and Classes. I took an advanced C++ class back when I was in college and it kicked my rear because I never could get those 2 concepts down but I hope I am able to regroup and get a better understanding of them now especially with all of the stuff on the internet and you tube. Thanks for your advice!

Any other advice you care to share?

[LB]

I second the recommendation for clang - it is known for its nice error messages. They even have colors! Check out the page advertising them:
http://clang.llvm.org/diagnostics.html

Also, this site is a good reference, as well as the Q&A stuff on stackoverflow.com (which you will find with google searches very frequently), and also cppreference:
http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp

Googling for help is often the fastest and easiest way to find out something in C++.

[add147]

Well thank you L B for your advice. My son is a good kid doesn't give me a lick of problems and like I said is pretty good in math so I figure why not expose him to something that who knows he might take to it really well.

I am just trying to give us something to experience together. We have a good relationship and I would like for him to see some new stuff other than just playing crap on his cell phone. Don't get me wrong I like games but I think one can get too involved in them at times.

I asked him if he would like to make his own games and of course he said yes. I told him he could if he was willing to learn how to program. Now he is interested in it. Who knows I could be raising the next internet tycoon...LOL

Any more advice that you folks care to give please by all means feel free to chime in!

[LB]

If the eventual goal is to make games, then once he is comfortable with C++ you can introduce him to a graphics library. I would recommend SFML:
http://www.sfml-dev.org/

Make sure you never try to make games in the console - it will require unlearning:
http://www.cplusplus.com/articles/G13hAqkS/

[Smac89]

Python is an easier language to get hang of the syntax faster than c++.

http://www.thehelloworldprogram.com/why-python-should-be-the-first-programming-language-you-learn/

http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/10675/ideal-programming-language-learning-sequence

I learned c/c++ first before python although I wish it were the opposite(but then I think I would never leave python). If your son wants to learn python, here is the website I used when I was learning:

http://www.codecademy.com/tracks/python

You said he is interested in math?
http://www.scipy.org/