Computer Science I - Fall 2015
Compilers/IDE Options—Spring 2015
To write and test C++ programs you need to combine a text editor (for writing your code) and a compiler/linker (to translate your code for the machine) in what is called an "Integrated Development Environment" (an I.D.E.).
Common text editors are Gedit or Emacs on a UNIX platform or Notepad++ on a Windows operating system. These are used to create text files (typically with the extention .cpp).
When you think you have written a program in the form of a text file that the compiler can translate into machine language, you can attempt to do this using other software such as cygwin.exe or g++.exe using a "command line" interface.
Or, you can find more comprehensive all-in-one sort of package (especially recommended for noobies) which is specifically designed to combine all these tasks under one umbrella. Such an IDE bundles a text editor with the compiler/linker.
In this course you will have various options, including the Microsoft Visual Studio (the 2008, 2010 or 2013 Express Edition) C++ IDE.. Appendix C of the PPP text details how to do this.
There are two main IDE's I recommend (because I've used them successfully myself):
1.Codeblocks is a a pretty solid IDE that is also on the computers in the classroom. Download the install that includes the mingw g++ (the third one down.)
2. Microsoft Visual Express may be a good option.