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[eerr]

I'm in college right now, but so far have only taken java (under the eclipse gui).

I want to download a C++ compiler (and perhaps a gui) to begin learning. Then download a library in which I can create and paint a small window, to experiment with graphics.

If you know a C++ compiler that you like or use, please suggest.

[Outcast Orange]

I like visual studio, and code blocks.
Code blocks recommended.

[timmeh]

I'd suggest the Code::Blocks IDE (you can download it with the MinGW compiler already set up for you).  It works very well with the wxWidgets GUI library (cross-platform too, I believe), if you need something with a graphical interface.  While I'm at it, once you get use to the basics, I'd look into PDCurses if you want to make anything with a tect-based interface.  It lets you do things like positioning the cursor on the console (for output, instead of line-by-line) and color text...

If you need any help getting set up, regardless of what you use, let me know.  I may be able to help, I may not, but it's worth a shot

[Alexhans]

I strongly recommend visual Studio express.  Each release is even better than before.  soon to be released VS2010 has awesome debugging features.

There's a lot of help & support over MSDN and pretty much everywhere.

[Dasleah]

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition. Don't let the 'Express' part fool you, it's probably the most fully featured IDE you'll ever come across, lacking in only the most obscure and insanely specialised features. And it's 100% free and fully supported by all the weight and power of MSDN.

[qwertyuiopas]

Anything based on GCC is great(MinGW is GCC for windows), and I have heard good things about MSVC

GCC/MinGW, however, are command-line programs, but there are many decent IDEs available. I personally use MinGW directly, through batch files, so that I don't have to load an IDE to edit code, and compiling only takes a single double-click, but any editor of your choice is good, MinGW-based(Or GCC-based on linux), or MSVC.

[deadlycairn]

I use Dev C++ (based on MinGW). I used to use Visual Studio Express, but after Dev C++ I can't even get a basic file to work in Visual Studio. No idea why. Also, if you want a library, go Libtcod. I like it, because it has colours, and it's relatively easy to pick up, even if you know jack-all about coding.

[eerr]

At first I was simply thinking of sticking with java.

-Then I installed eclipse on my family's home computer.
Bam, I got an error in time.utill everytime I tried to compile.
That pissed me the fuck off.
-downloaded a diffrent version of eclipse.
Bam, same error.
"Like what the hell do I have do to?" I think to myself.

-try installing the latest java version

bam, same error, no change


So rather than suffer to find someone who knows how to fix the error, I decided I would rather learn C++. To draw graphics, I decide switching C++ is probably more worthwhile than trying to fix a dammn gui.

Also, when I'm talking about compiling, at the very end I got the same error from code that rightfully shouldn't cause any error at all.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

public class Battlefield /*extends JFrame*/ {

public Battlefield(int w,int h)  {
//setSize(w,h);

// TODO Auto-generated constructor stub


}

/**
* @param args
*/
public static void main(String[] args) {
//JFrame J=new Battlefield(20,20);

}

}

plus I really don't know enough to go digging through the plugins for whatever "log" is running,

[qwertyuiopas]

Fun graphics in C or C++
C/C++: Copy-pase tutorial code to get a window open and OpenGL initiated.
Read The Red Book. Supplement with a tutorial or two.
Animate! (Or Draw!)

I DON'T reccomend jumping for a C++ tutorial, most C++ tutorials immediately start with creating a whole useless class to handle the window. Maybe it is good OOP practice, but at the same time, you must understand the tradeoff between simplicity and flexibility. Though, since you have Java experience, you probably understand OOP better than me, so would be more qualified to make a judgement between methods.


I always say this, but often, you don't need to modify window creation/setup past what a tutorial gives, so just copy the example code, so that you have the whole structure in place and any change is simple, because you can immediately see the results. Knowing what parts of the code should be reused and what is better left rewritten is up to you, and some tutorials are more equalbetter than others.

NeHe is a decent one.

[eerr]

I'm so used to Object orientation I think I can handle a few classes.
C++ coders do it all in one spot.
Java coders do it with objects;and nothing but!

Of course, I'm not sure where I want to start.

[Outcast Orange]

Make an array and store values to it, then draw something up on screen.
Visual results are always the most compelling.
Good luck, whatever you decide, the learning curve is a little steep.
Not Dwarf Fortress steep, but close.

[Keiseth]

When I started, I found Code::Blocks and such, while powerful, sort of put too much between me and the computer. I wanted to learn and learn by working with things at a more basic level.

If you want to do this, I suggest MinGW and Notepad++. MinGW to compile your code, and Notepad++ to write it.

Edit: I should clarify, I say this because I found myself to be saying "How do I use my GUI?" more often than "How do I write C++?"

I suggest trying both a good GUI and also a basic method, if you have trouble with one, do the other.

[Outcast Orange]

How the **** do you debug in notepat?!
That's the whole point of an IDE.
Also, notepad has a bad habit of being hard to maneuver at whim.
I worked with a ton of code in notepad before (Arcanum Modification)
but that was nearly impossible to deal with.

[alfie275]

I recomend DevCpp because it has this neat feature where you can go in tools>Check for updates/packages and you can tell it to download one of many libraries and it will automatically install it and setup it up for the compiler.

[timmeh]

How the **** do you debug in notepat?!
That's the whole point of an IDE.
Also, notepad has a bad habit of being hard to maneuver at whim.
I worked with a ton of code in notepad before (Arcanum Modification)
but that was nearly impossible to deal with.

Not notepad, notepad++.

I personally like having an IDE for the quick build/compile/run options, instead of having to switch to a command line or separate program to build and compile.  That being said, I've used notepad++ for other things before, and it's a very nice program if you'd prefer, like Keiseth, to compile with another program.  I don't actually understand much of the process turning raw C++ into assembly, and I can definitely see the advantages in understanding the whole thing.