vcredist.exe License

[anonymous23323124]

I am looking to the future where I might want to redistribute software developed with VC++ Express.

I know that the "redist.txt" file that comes with Visual C++ lists "vcredist_x68.exe" etc, but it also says that the file refers only to Visual Studio.

Having developed software with VC++ Express, am I allowed to either
1) link statically to the C runtime
2) redistribute vcredist_(x86|x64|IA64).exe

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[helios]

1) link statically to the C runtime

Yes.

2) redistribute vcredist_(x86|x64|IA64).exe

vcredist
As in "redistributable".

[anonymous23323124]

I know it is a redistributable, but I though I might have to have some kind of commercial license ;)

[1yR4jE8b]

You can download the redistributable from Microsoft for free...why would you need a commercial license?

[anonymous23323124]

Just because I can download it, doesn't mean I can redistribute it. That said, I probably worry too much about legal issues...

[chrisname]

No, but just because it is redistributable does mean you can redistribute it.

[anonymous23323124]

A filename doesn't constitute a license agreement :p
Anyway, thanks for the advice everyone, looks like it's okay to distribute the redistributable ;)

[chrisname]

They wouldn't call it redistributable if it wasn't redistributable. Microsoft isn't mean, just evil.

[helios]

That'd be a good prank though. Put in the middle of the EULA "the redistributable may not be redistributed, or we gonna sue your balls to the wall".

[chrisname]

Yeah, I guess :P
vcredist is definitely redistributable though, because I remember it coming with GTA IV (I have no idea why the average GTA player would want a C++ compiler, but whatever).

[anonymous23323124]

I remember it coming with GTA IV

Obviously it was redistributable in some way. But my concern was more that it might require a license, which the developers of GTA might have bought...

I have no idea why the average GTA player would want a C++ compiler, but whatever

I thought vcredist.exe installed the runtime only?
(I think it comes with many steam games as well, because they all insist on installing it every time :/)

[chrisname]

I don't know what vcredist installs, since I always uninstall it straight away. I don't think it requires a license...

[anonymous23323124]

I always uninstall it straight away

And the things it came with still work? LOL

[1yR4jE8b]

Microsoft isn't mean, just evil.

But the lesser of two evils when compared with Apple.

[anonymous23323124]

+many for that ;)

[Albatross]

I've had a bit of a tight schedule lately, which is why I haven't been checking my PMs or posting much, but...

darkestfright += 1 googol. I rather regret my purchase.

-Albatross

[anonymous23323124]

I rather regret my purchase.

You got a Mac? T_T

[chrisname]

@Xander314,
Yeah :P

@darkestfright,
Agreed. At least Microsoft admits its OS has problems. Then again, AFAIK Apple doesn't try to destabilise F/OSS software (they have contributed to F/OSS software, e.g. "cups" (Common UNIX Printing System) which I use).

[Albatross]

Hmm... if I made a thread asking people which was the greater evil (Microsoft or Apple), I wonder how long it would be before the thread was reported for "flamebaiting"... :)

-Albatross

[anonymous23323124]

Being optimisic? After one reply ;) But of course, the only real test of any theory is empirical...