Windows compiler/ide: suggestions?

I've always used visual studio 6 for developing DirectX projects under windows. However i'm looking for a smaller lightweight C(++) compiler and IDE thats works fine for developing DirectX applications under windows. Does anyone have any positive experience with certain tools and any recommendations?

 

I was going to suggest Visuals Studio(.NET 2005/2008) but as you seem to have something against VS I guess:
Dev-C++
Eclipse with C++ plugins
MinGW/MSys + Makefiles + some text editor (Notepad++/Programmers notepad/UltraEdit/SlickEdit/etc.)

At work we use VS.NET 2005/2008
But at home I use VS.NET 2008 and MinGW/MSys + Makefiles + Notepad++

 

I dont have anything against it per se, im just looking into non-proprietary alternatives, perferably that dont need too much discspace and dont need an installer. I use what works best for me, if it turns out thats VC then i'll just use that.

 

I really don't see how you could find a compiler without an installer, though notepad + a command line compiler (which you would still have to install initially) could be as close as you could get.

As far as VS goes, I found VS6 to be clunky as hell, but the latest versions are very smooth. You can grab the Express versions off of Microsoft's website and try for free. Disk space could be large, but you can pick and choose certain components to make it smaller.

 

I must admit, I've tried a few other IDEs for DX development (Eclipse, Code::Blocks, etc.) but VS2005 is sweet as a nut for it.

I *would* use 2008, but I've got a tricky situation involving me, my computer and the fact I once was in the Office 2007 beta test. Hmph.

 

Visual Studio 6 is my personal favorite; I like it when my compiler doesn't pause when I want to recompile. The big advantage of any Visual Studio IDE is the integrated debugger, most other IDEs don't measure up. I also like Visual Studio for non-windows projects.

Code::Blocks is pretty small, but I think it depends on other larger libraries. Another option would be Ultimate++ (http://www.ultimatepp.org/) is a decent alternative, but it would take some extending to support DirectX. It's a compiler and library.

 

Visual Studio Express - Free, fast, great IDE, why use anything else?

 

Maybe because some people prefer using open source programs, so they won´t get any shit when using code ?..

 

Bloodshed Dev-C++

Very nice, lightweight IDE

 

What are these people scared of?

I prefer to avoid open source programs. Visual Studio 2008 is great.

 

I suppose (although I find Eclipse one heck of a hog in comparison to VS200*), but for developing DirectX stuff...?

 

Well, it could be that they ran into legal problems, if they released their code. And it had used proprietary code. Thanks to using a commercial program.

 

If you are using source code from a commercial program, which typically isn't available to developers, then you should get smacked with a lawsuit. :nod:

 

Which IDE/compiler you use should have no bearing on that. Anyone that would stop you using a commerial program, has serious mental issues and needs to be avoided.

If you're worried about legal issues then using open source can open you up to patent issues.

Fortunately all this open source stuff is still quite low market penetration, if it gets a majority market share then we're doomed.

 

That's not unique to open source, though. If you infringe on a patent, it will bring legal issues - no matter if the code is open or not.

I don't see why some people are so against open source. I know making something open source won't make it brilliant and I'm not saying that all closed source stuff is bad (it's not), but I don't understand why some people really dislike it.

I'm not wanting to start a flame war or anything, I'm just interested in your reasons for thinking it's so bad.

I fear I may be going slightly off-topic here...

 

As far as I see it, the only legal issue with the 'Express Editions' is that you can't use them commercially (e.g. it is for students and hobbyists).

There is nothing stopping you from making Open Source projects with any flavour of Visual Studio.

 

That is untrue. Visual Studio Express (all editions) can be used for commercial purposes by anyone. They are certainly geared toward students and hobbyists, and they are not as full-featured as the full Visual Studio editions, but they can be used for commercial development. See the FAQ (check #7) at:

http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/faq/default.aspx

 

That is correct, TheDeathcoaster was correct a few years ago. The first Express editions where heavily restricted.

 

Ah, okay I use VS2008 Team Suite (Leagally, mind you), so I haven't touched the Express editions since their first rollout

Glad to hear they are less restricted these days

 

First problem is that when everyone expects to get software for free, I'll need to find a new job. Big companies might fund development, but they can't afford to pay us all.

Secondly, all our money is currently flowing to places like china for manufacturing & the east for oil. We're exporting free software. Does that sound like a great long term plan?

I know the advantages of having access to the source code for software, but I don't see how you can fix the human race to make it work out in the end.