Don't think my software if very good.

[Fbar800]

I don't think my compiler is very good. I am using notepad, cmd, and a Borland C++ Compiler. I there a better (free) way to program?

[Pax]

Hi, I've not any recent experience of Borland - but from what I remember of a first course at Uni, they're a little poor by modern standards.

Microsoft offer the "express edition" of their compiler/IDE for free, available at >>

http://www.microsoft.com/express/windows/

[Fbar800]

Thanks. When I installed Borland I had to put it directly in C: and I had to edit some system configuration. In other words I was a bit sceptical.

[Fbar800]

I also have windows 7.

[cnoeval]

Just get MS Visual C++ Express.

Noobs are often confused by the 'Projects', 'Solutions' and other high level stuff when they just want to write "hello world" but it's very simple.

1. Open MS Visual C++.
2. Start a New Project (that will create a 'Solution' with 1 project (whatever you named it).
3. Right-Click on the Source Files folder in the Solution Explorer (on the left) and select Add... New Item.
4. In the Code category, select C++ File (.cpp), name it too.
5. Write your code in the blank window.
6. Run it with 'Start without debugging' (cntl-F5) so that it keeps your command window open and you can see the results.

[Pax]

Not saying there's anything dodgy about Borland - just they're not really up-to-date. You'll find a lot of development tools (particularly older ones) will want to place themselves in C:\ - can be quite messy when you've got a lot of different things around.

[Fbar800]

I tried to download visual C# but I have dial up so its really slow. I downloaded it over night and it didnt download all the way. I can try it again though. Is visual c++ different then regular c++?

[Pax]

No, Visual C++ is just how they label it for their IDE. It's still standard C++, if you treat it as such.

If there's a decent newsagents around you, the more technical computer magazines with dvd demo disks generally have visual studio express every other month, could be an alternative to downloading it for you if your internet connection isn't up to it.

[Fbar800]

Isn't visual C++ have all the features for free, but you can buy C#, Basic, and C++ together.

[Pax]

No, "Express" edition is the free-license version, which is seperated into the different languages (C++, C#, VB.NET) for ease of download and to not complicate things (most people would only want one of these for the purposes the Express is meant for).

The point where you need to buy the product would be if you wanted to develop commercial applications (their licensing is probably more complex than this, but it's enough to think like that for now).

[PiMaster]

I use Code::Blocks - I recommend it. Completely free, easy installation.

[Fbar800]

Ok. I think I'm going to install Visual C++ tonight. Does it have a very good tutorial?

[Albatross]

For learning C++ there's a very good tutorial here... just in case you meant that. ;)
http://cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/

Have fun!

-Albatross

[cnoeval]

Yes, the MS website has all sorts of help. To get started you just need to follow the steps I gave above to avoid getting confused by the top-level projects and such. Once you have a .cpp file ready to edit in your Source Files folder you can use it like any other editor/compiler.

Code::Blocks is great too. It's a bit simpler and might be smaller as well if you're worried your dial-up will fail you.

[Fbar800]

No. I don't like the tutorial here. Too complex for a 12 year old. After the array part anyway.

[cnoeval]

A good place to start: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualc/default.aspx

Beware, it's rather long-winded although I haven't watched the vids so maybe try that.

[Albatross]

Too complex for a 12 year old

I object. I was 12 when I started programming in C++. :/

Nonetheless, if you want a different tutorial, try cnoeval's, I suppose. Or try this one?
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html#c++tutorial

Oh, and here's one for using VC++.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms235630.aspx

-Albatross

[Fbar800]

Thanks. Did you get stuck on the tutorials when you were my age?

[Albatross]

Did you get stuck on the tutorials when you were my age?

Actually, no. I thought these tutorials were pretty easy to understand. Eh. All well. I guess some work for some better than for others. :)

-Albatross

[Fbar800]

Well I read above college level, I am doing algebra, and i'm doing high school chemistry in 7th grade but I just cant get advanced C++. (0_0) Did I mention I am building a computer.