Beginner, Confusion, Compilers and IDE's

[larakikato]

Hello Everyone,
I'm brand new to C++, and to these forums.

I've been trying to learn C++ using a book (C++ primer) and practicing writing code and trying to compile programs on my computer.

Currently I'm trying to use the IDE called Aptana, because i've heard it is good for programing in many different languages, and that it works well for C++.

My problem is that I'm still very shaky on what all is necessary to write a c++ program in terms of software on the computer, like how to get compilers working, and the differences between a compiler and an IDE.

For example - do IDEs usually install with compilers included? Or even if i download an IDE do I have to install a compiler seperately on my computer?

All I really want to do, is have a program that makes the process of writing code, and compiling and running that code an easy and integrated process... I do not want to have to write everything in notepad and then compile using command prompt, which is what I had been doing on my old pc. But it would be really nice if that program could also integrate different languages and different types of files together so that I'm working on a program that I can grow into, instead of one i'll outgrow, that's why I went with Aptana, because I'm trying to start with C++, but I don't want to confine myself to c++ programming.

Can anyone help me figure out if I need a seperate compiler with Aptana? Or point me in the direction (Website links, other forums) to look for this information?

Is there anyway to check my computer to see if i already have a compiler installed? Also is there anyway to use that compiler if i do, without needing to go through command prompt? is there a way to use the compiler from within an IDE?

All advice is appreciated, and I'm sorry if this is a thread you've seen a million times before, I couldn't find the answer to these simple questions.

[JLBorges]

> Currently I'm trying to use the IDE called Aptana

Never even heard of any C++ programmer using it.


> do IDEs usually install with compilers included?

Many C++ IDEs have bundled C++ compilers and tools.


> I do not want to have to write everything in notepad

IDE + compiler+toolchain bundles on windows:

Visual Studio Express 2013: http://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs#d-express-windows-desktop

Dev-C++: http://sourceforge.net/projects/orwelldevcpp/

CodeBlocks: http://sourceforge.net/projects/codeblocks/files/Binaries/13.12/Windows/codeblocks-13.12mingw-setup-TDM-GCC-481.exe

CodeLite: http://downloads.codelite.org/downloads.php?windows_sf

[larakikato]

Thank you JLBorges, I'm going to give Dev-C++ from your link a try, and I hope very much that it will allow me to write and compile from within the program,

and as for no c++ programmers using Aptana, I just read from a few different places that it could be used effectively for C++, and I know that it was focused on other programing languages that I wanted to get into as well, but it is made off of Eclipse and I know that is useful for C++...

As another question, do you think it would be a good idea for me to try using Eclipse? or is there a reason that you suggest Dev-C++ over it? I really want something that will let me do more than just c++

[JLBorges]

> is there a reason that you suggest Dev-C++ over it?

I was not suggesting Dev-C++ over the other three. Which is the preferred C++ IDE is very much a personal choice.


> do you think it would be a good idea for me to try using Eclipse?
> I really want something that will let me do more than just c++

If you have a large amount of RAM, and a powerful processor, Eclipse is a very good choice. It is a pig; you may have to kill it and then restart it again, once every hour or so.

Eclipse + CDT does not come with bundled C++ compilers and tools; you would have to download and install them separately.
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/moreinfo/c.php#