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Can anyone recommend a cheap (read: Free) C compiler for Windows?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by Historiker, Sep 17, 2013.

  1. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    As the title says: I need a compiler for Windows. I decided to buckle down and learn a program language and C seems to be the basis for most programming languages used in micro controller programming.

    I found several very good websites with "how to's" but to use the examples they require a compiler. They recommend using the free compiler included in Unix...but I do not use Unix or any other OS derived from same.

    Thanks

    David
  2. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    gcc is the basis of Arduino compiler, and is the compiler used on Linux most of the time. There's definitely Windows ports of it.
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  3. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    Hi !

    VisualStudio c++ express 2010 is free ! it is a BIG microsoft installation but a reference as well.

    CodeBlocks has good reviews.

    In my humble opinion, learning pseudo C with arduino would be the best start (arduino IDE) as true C can be horrible !

    ;-)
    Mat
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  4. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    I would strenuously disagree, your honour! Arduino C is bleh :p
  5. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    Mainly due to its complete mangling via function prototype insertion and lack of solid conditional compilation preprocessor.
  6. value1

    value1 Nerd SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

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    As mentioned by RacingMat I can recommend Visual C++ Express for free.
    Easy and very convenient. When you're unsure, you put the cursor onto the suspicious expression, press F1 and there opens a can of worms with help, explanations, examples, etc.
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  7. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    @aarondc fanatic developer C fanboy:)

    If someone wants to build a chair you must not show him how to cut down timber:)
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  8. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    lol, we have the same issue with some of our instructors, especially in the technical classes. Two of them want to teach their Electronics Tech classes by starting them off with the basics of programming but the classes are meant to train technicians not programmers. Diagnostics rather than invention and innovation.

    Not that I am arguing with Aarondc, I am leaning toward learning C first anyway as it seems that most languages are derivatives of C (the grandaddy).

    Wow, Visual Studio Express really is a rather large install isnt it? ;)
    Doing so now. Thank you all for your opinions and help.
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  9. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    Arduino C is very close to C. But if you learn "properly" first, you can undo some of the strictness and program Arduinos no problemo.
    If you start with Arduino C and want to upgrade to real C, I think it would be more difficult.
    • Like Like x 1
  10. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    I love the font this forum uses!! <3
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  11. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    Ah, ah ! some people here like trolls ;-)

    PS : windows or mac ?
  12. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    I am a Delphi fanatic.
  13. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    Most times i use php because it delivers what i need for "web development". But i am also experienced in C / C++ Java, Erlang (rocks!!!), Python, Perl, VB Unfortunately, never played with Delphi

    Windows -> 6month Mac->Back to Windows.
    Debian for server.
  14. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

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    :) so we are friend again ! I'm relieved

    so, everybody agree that C is shitty and PascalObject is the best !
    (yet another troll !)
  15. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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  16. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    My project for work:

    Delphi app saves data in local DB. Generates XML. Uploads XML to classic ASP website. Transforms XML into SQL via XSLT to save in server DB. Returns sync data as XML, which Delphi app converts to SQL via XSLT for saving in local DB.

    Now developing my own hardware emulator for automated testing purposes, using Arduino electronics and C/C++.

    This is the kind of project I enjoy, although the syntax sometimes gets messed up as I switch between languages...
  17. aarondc

    aarondc Member

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    G'day. Und danke, mais ich bein nein comprende pas, mes amies! Xie xie!!
  18. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    Sounds like a challenge. How do you like that:

    Use VB and ODBC to connect from MS Access to a local mysql database. Import data from MS Access into mySql. Create with plink (putty cmd) a ssh tunnel to the webserver. Export mysql data with mysqldump. Use the ssh tunnel to upload the *.sql file to the webserver. start various scripts on the server with plink to import the sql file there. And know everything into one script:)
    I hate enterprises that uses a bazillion different software products and no common interfaces.

    Btw. i am very glad that this is the only forum i know where no real trolls are active. Thats very rare these days
  19. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

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    Oi! My head hurts......lol
  20. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    My too. let´s wait what u say after programming C:D