Availability of Compilers in C++

[thiruvasagamani]

Compiler terminology

Compile Colloquially, to convert a source code file into an executable, but strictly speaking, compilation is an intermediate step

Link The act of taking compiled code and turning it into an executable

Build A build refers to the process of creating the end executable (what is often colloquially refered to as compilation). Tools exits to help reduce the complexity of the build process--makefiles, for instance.

Compiler Generally, compiler refers to both a compiler and a "linker"

Linker The program that generates the executable by linking

IDE Integrated Development Environment, a combination of a text editor and a compiler, such that you can compile and run your programs directly within the IDE. IDEs usually have facilities to help you quickly jump to compiler errors.


Understanding the Compilation Process

    * The compilation and linking process A brief description of exactly what happens when you compile a program, covering the above terms in more detail
    * Dealing with Compilation Errors Some suggestions for hunting down compiler and linker errors in your code
    * Understanding Compiler Warnings Learn what compiler warnings mean and the hows and whys of fixing them

What compilers are available?

      Windows/DOS

    * Code::Blocks and MINGW Our recommended free compiler setup!

    * Borland Find out how to download and set up Borland's free command-line compiler

    * DJGPP Read about DJGPP, a DOS-based compiler

    * Dev-C++ and Digital Mars Read about Dev-C++, a good windows based compiler, and Digital Mars
      Windows Only

    * Microsoft Visual C++ Read about Visual C++

      *nix

    * g++ is a C++ compiler that comes with most *nix distributions.

    * gcc is a C compiler that comes with most *nix distributions.
      Macintosh

    * Apple's own Macintosh Programmer's Workshop is a compiler I've never used, but it is direct from apple and free.

    * Codewarrior My experiences with Codewarrior are limited to Java programming, though it's gotten good reviews in the past. It's a full IDE rather than just a compiler, meaning that it has a text editor and debugger integrated with the compiler so you can do all your work from one place.