Windows C++ IDE

[ProWaffle]

Hello.

I currently develop in Objective-C with XCode on the Mac. I'm looking at getting into Windows development in C++, and I don't know which IDE to use.

I'm currently looking at Code::Blocks and Visual Studio Express, but feel free to suggest others.

I like XCode a lot, so something with a similar interface would be great, but not necessary if I end up sacrificing features for it.

So, what can you guys reccomend?

[robmaister12]

both are pretty good, it's really just preference. Try both and see which one you like better.

[ProWaffle]

What are the main differences between the two?

Anyway, I'm looking at 2D game development, any good libraries around?

[robmaister12]

at a basic level, they're the same. Syntax highlighting, similar (and customizable) layout, some sort of autocomplete, etc.

I haven't actually done much C++ work with Visual Studio myself, but I'm assuming it's similar to C#, so it will have better autocomplete than Code::Blocks does (I've worked with CB for probably an hour or two). One benefit with Code::Blocks is that there are versions for Mac and Linux, and it can be run as a portable (flash drive) program. Code::Blocks beats VS in portability, hands down.

As for your 2D game library, I'd recommend SFML. SFML also includes audio and networking features as well, and maintains portability over all operating systems as long as you're using OpenGL.

[ProWaffle]

What about SDL?

[editline]15th December 2010[/editline]

Oh, and it needs to be something I can use in commercial applications too.

[editline]15th December 2010[/editline]

I'm going to make a new thread for this.

[PvtCupcakes]

CodeBlocks uses the superior MinGW GCC compiler by default.

[HubmaN]

[QUOTE=PvtCupcakes;26712568]CodeBlocks uses the superior MinGW GCC compiler by default.[/QUOTE]

The first thing I did was change it to use Clang/LLVM for Windows - superior error messages. Pretty painless, since clang is commandline-compatible with gcc.
I only do occasional development now so I just use emacs+makefiles. Far less cruft hanging around.

[SubjectX10]

borland :downs:

[sp]Nah, use Codeblocks[/sp]

[supersnail11]

Command Line

[Jallen]

VC++ is better IMO. Code::Blocks just generally didn't seem to work anywhere near as well when I used it. That and if you want to take programming as a profession, experience with VC++ will be a helpful thing to have as it's what most C++ devs will use.

[Soda']

vc++ is the best, combined with plugins(if you're a student check out dreamspark for non-express edition) it cannot be beaten

[WiZzArD]

I previously used CodeBlocks as my IDE of choice. During that time, I also explored Visual Studio Express. Visual Studio Express felt very bloated with the interface giving me too many options when trying to accomplish a simple task. Thus, it was easier for me to get comfortable with CodeBlocks because it kept most of it's complex settings in the background. I use an IDE very similar to CodeBlocks right now called [url=http://codelite.org/]CodeLite[/url]. Although there is a lot of subtle differences between CodeBlocks and CodeLite, the main reason I switched to CodeLite is because of the ability to control-click function calls to switch focus to their declaration and the ability to control-click declarations to switch focus to their implementation(s). This nifty feature helped me learn the external libraries I use much faster and still helps me today.

[Jallen]

[QUOTE=Soda;26715945]vc++ is the best, combined with plugins(if you're a student check out dreamspark for non-express edition) it cannot be beaten[/QUOTE]

Dreamspark / MSDNAA software has a licence which forbids use for commercial stuffs. I just stick to express for this reason, I don't want some licence which restricts what I'm allowed to do.

[Siemens]

[QUOTE=Jallen;26717894]Dreamspark / MSDNAA software has a licence which forbids use for commercial stuffs. I just stick to express for this reason, I don't want some licence which restricts what I'm allowed to do.[/QUOTE]

They can't really prove you were using the Dreamspark license

[Shotgunz]

Personally out of these two I prefer Visual C++ because I go by the motto "Use the right tool for the right job."

You're on Windows. What knows Windows from front-to-back and what programs will use it to it's best extent? Official Microsoft software obviously.

However Code::Blocks is terrific as well. Try it if you don't like VC++.

Now for you 2d library, I personally use SDL but everyone else here in the Programming forum suggests / uses SFML. So go with SFML.

[Catdaemon]

Visual studio is fantastic and the best IDE I've ever used. If you can leverage its features it'll make your programming a hell of a lot faster and easier.

I use code::blocks on linux and hate every second of it. I also tried it on windows and thought the same. I'll give you an example. I made a virtual directory in my project to contain a library. I thought I could then right click and add files. Nope. First you have to add every single file into the project, then you can drag and drop them into the virtual folder. I said files, not folders - You have to individually create each and every one of the destination folders inside the virtual folder structure, and then ONE BY ONE drag each file into it. Seriously wtf.

[WiZzArD]

I have not used CodeBlocks in awhile; so, I may be getting this confused with CodeLite, but I was pretty sure you could right-click virtual folders, click the add file button, control-click or drag a box over all the files you want added, and then click the add button. You still have to create the virtual folders one by one though. You can't just synchronize it to a physical folder structure that already exists per my knowledge.