Computer Science I - Spring 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. MSV++ Express 2008 (this may be hard to find now, so either 2010 or 2013 could be good alternatives) with may be available here...or go for the Student Express edition at this site.
2. 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.)