C/C++ package - thoughts?

[troymail]

So I've finally decided to look for a better, more complete C/C++ compiler package for MS Windows. One key thing the package must include is networking support; user interface stuff would be nice but in most cases, I'm not really focused on user interfaces - I'm more a command line, background program developer.

I spend most of my time writing stuff using gcc and linux because it's generally cheaper and easier. However, I use and old copy of Borland C++ I purchased at a computer show years ago for $5 (or something like that) - best damn $5 I ever spent. I also use Watcom for make mods and recompile Trunker v3.8.

I really want something a bit more current with networking support.

Anyone have ideas - free or otherwise.

Thanks

 

[brscanning]

Have you looked at Visual C++ Express? It's free. Not sure if you are opposed to .NET or Microsoft.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/express/aa975050.aspx

 

[FilthyMonkey]

http://www.mingw.org/ certainly fits the bill, if you are already familiar with using GCC. It is free, and as complete as can be. If you want an IDE to go along with it, I would suggest one of the nightly builds of http://www.codeblocks.org/

 

[SCPD]

Hi Troy;

You've got a half-dozen choices ...

OpenWatcom C++
Digital Mars C++
GCC variantts (MinGW & Cygwin)
Microsoft Visual C++ Express
Borland C++

If the free compiler does not provide an IDE, you can use Netbeans (works quite well) as the dev environment.

 

[dustin486]

I'm a fan of Visual Studio, but I wouldn't suggest getting that if you are only wanting to program command line stuff. I would recommend dev-c++. http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

 

[wannabescannist]

troymail, what is your development target, console or GUI? What are you trying to develop?

Cygwin/MingW is okay for a unix-like solution, but it's incredibly sloooowww (at least in my opinion), as compared to running under a true unix enviornment.

I currently do Palm Pilot development in C++ (Metrowerks' Codewarrior for actual Palm app, MS VS 2005 for conduit dll) and some SmartPhone development under VS 2005 w/ C# (.NET). You should consider making the move to C#, or at least learning it. I prefer C++, but clients want to hear you say ".NET", even if they know nothing about the technical side of things.

I used to be a "command-line-only" type of person but when I landed a job programming full-time instead of on my own time, it's just so much easier and non-stressful under an IDE.

I think you'd do alright with Visual C++ Express. Only thing is, you can only do one language at a time.

So I've finally decided to look for a better, more complete C/C++ compiler package for MS Windows. One key thing the package must include is networking support; user interface stuff would be nice but in most cases, I'm not really focused on user interfaces - I'm more a command line, background program developer.

I spend most of my time writing stuff using gcc and linux because it's generally cheaper and easier. However, I use and old copy of Borland C++ I purchased at a computer show years ago for $5 (or something like that) - best damn $5 I ever spent. I also use Watcom for make mods and recompile Trunker v3.8.

I really want something a bit more current with networking support.

Anyone have ideas - free or otherwise.

Thanks

 

[bezking]

Eclipse - free
http://www.eclipse.org
http://www.codeproject.com/useritems/CPP_Dev_eclipse_CDT.asp

 

[troymail]

OK - here's an example....

I currently have a program that is pretty much a modified version of TCPDUMP. It "sniffs" the network traffic for a printer, captures the text sent to the printer, parses it and then calls another program that sends the information out as a text message/page. It all runs on a linux machine.

I want to recreate that capability on a windows machine. As I said previously, I used Borland C++ 5.0 on my PC but I don't have networking support in that compiler.

I've tried Visual C++ before but I don't think that has the networking libraries - if it came with it, I couldn't find it (maybe I didn't look hard enough). Looks like I need Winsock libraries (or a suitable replacement).

So as you can see, my immediate interest doesn't require a user interface but eventually I may be interested in rewriting another piece of software I wrote that runs in a command window but put a slightly fancier user interface on it.

 

[wannabescannist]

I've tried Visual C++ before but I don't think that has the networking libraries - if it came with it, I couldn't find it (maybe I didn't look hard enough). Looks like I need Winsock libraries (or a suitable replacement).

For an app like that, Visual C++ with WinPcap (guide) would probably suit you.

 

[troymail]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the pages go out using SNPP (TCP port 444) son I'll need to find (or recreate an application to do that).

 

[SCPD]

Hi Troy;

For packet sniffing - Windows style - start with the TCPDUMP examples formerly from SysInternals (now on MSDN). They will illustrate the nuances of the differences in evolving driver models across different versions of Windows. As far as a "WinSock" library ... you only need the header files (included with most C++ platforms) and the correct linker option.

Once you're ready for a GUI - the codeproject site is a treasure trove of examples (including programs similar to what you've outlined above).

-rick