New(ish) programmer looking for help

[TheHorizon]

Alright, so I just finished my first year of Computer Science. In this class we mostly used Java to teach us the basics of programming. We used a really nice IDE called Eclipse that was free (and awesome) but is limited to Java (I believe).
As an aspiring game programmer, I've taken it upon myself to learn C/C++. I've bought a C book to start, but it did not come with a compiler/IDE (as some might), and I was hoping if someone here knew of a C (and C++ preferabley) that was free and effective/easy enough to use.

Thank you all you Wizards/Programmers for your assistance!

 

[Arehexes]

Alright, so I just finished my first year of Computer Science. In this class we mostly used Java to teach us the basics of programming. We used a really nice IDE called Eclipse that was free (and awesome) but is limited to Java (I believe).
As an aspiring game programmer, I've taken it upon myself to learn C/C++. I've bought a C book to start, but it did not come with a compiler/IDE (as some might), and I was hoping if someone here knew of a C (and C++ preferabley) that was free and effective/easy enough to use.

Thank you all you Wizards/Programmers for your assistance!

Ok well if you want a IDE for C/C++; Eclipse is good for that(you need a plug in)
so is Dev C++. Also just learn C++ instead of C because C++ is C with more stuff that will be helpful to use(although some say C is better it's your choice really I prefer C++). And if you wanna learn another language try python because it has a library called pygame which is made for game making (me and another computer science friend is learning pygame to write games).

 

[flare09]

-snip-

Banhammer for you.

 

[Arehexes]

-snip-

Banhammer for you.

thanks i've been scared for life now...*cries*

 

[guardian001]

Well, If you don't mind going through an absolute shitstorm of an install process, there are several free ones that can most likely be found by simply searching google for "Free C++ compiler".
If, on the other hand, you have some sanity and want something that will work properly right away, I recommend just getting Visual C++ Express Edition [http://www.microsoft.com/Express/vc/]. It will require you to register with Microsoft, however the registration is quick and free, the IDE comes with an installer (something many open source projects have yet to grasp the concept of), and it works well.

 

[Arehexes]

Well, If you don't mind going through an absolute shitstorm of an install process, there are several free ones that can most likely be found by simply searching google for "Free C++ compiler".
If, on the other hand, you have some sanity and want something that will work properly right away, I recommend just getting Visual C++ Express Edition [http://www.microsoft.com/Express/vc/]. It will require you to register with Microsoft, however the registration is quick and free, the IDE comes with an installer (something many open source projects have yet to grasp the concept of), and it works well.

Ha I forgot about Visual C++ that is a good one, but I think most Open source programs are like that for those who want to edit it. But I agree it should have a installer for it, but i guess thats how you learn. But I wish TC good luck, and second poster get a life.

 

[DeadlyYellow]

I'm probably gonna catch ire for saying this. Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express. Seems to work well for me, can even couple it with DirectX SDK.

Outside of that I tried Code::Blocks but could not get it to work properly.

 

[Weaver]

Alright, so I just finished my first year of Computer Science. In this class we mostly used Java to teach us the basics of programming. We used a really nice IDE called Eclipse that was free (and awesome) but is limited to Java (I believe).
As an aspiring game programmer, I've taken it upon myself to learn C/C++. I've bought a C book to start, but it did not come with a compiler/IDE (as some might), and I was hoping if someone here knew of a C (and C++ preferabley) that was free and effective/easy enough to use.

Thank you all you Wizards/Programmers for your assistance!

Ok well if you want a IDE for C/C++; Eclipse is good for that(you need a plug in)
so is Dev C++. Also just learn C++ instead of C because C++ is C with more stuff that will be helpful to use(although some say C is better it's your choice really I prefer C++). And if you wanna learn another language try python because it has a library called pygame which is made for game making (me and another computer science friend is learning pygame to write games).

Yeah, eclipse has a plugin for bloody well EVERYTHING. I enjoy it a lot as it gives you tons of control. If you want a no fuss no muss compiler then, as others have said, visual studio is pretty good.

There are tutorials all over the internet for how to setup Eclipse C++ plugins. However, I believe you'll need to write your own makefiles (they aren't hard). In visual studio it does that for you.

 

[Arehexes]

Well AC10 I think making your own make file is a great way to learn. Really helped when we had to write C++ programs in Linux with no IDE we had to use CLI to compile =D

 

[m_jim]

If you can get your hands on the Visual Studios package, that AC and Deadly mentioned, for free, it's good for beginners. If I'm at home working on things on my Mac, I use Xcode which can compile damn near anything (but I think it's native to Mac). If you've programmed before and don't need all the GUI handholding, I'd hunt down the GNU Compiler Package. It's free and it has a compiler for pretty much everything, but it runs from a stripped down UNIX-style environment.

Also, as Arehexes said, just learn C++. If you can code in that, you can code in C.

 

[Alex_P]

Eclipse has a C++ plugin. It's actually pretty decent nowadays.

For C and C++ programming, I think IDEs are a crutch. I think you're better off learning to do without one. (Doing without one is a bit more unpleasant on Windows, though, so, if that's your platform, you have my magical permission to chain yourself to an IDE.)

...

Also, as Arehexes said, just learn C++. If you can code in that, you can code in C.

You can probably write a program that compiles, yes. You're going to have trouble really architecting code, though, if you're used to object-oriented everything. Also, if you need to write srs-bizns stuff in C, you're really going to need to get into the very specific details of the language and your platform's C libraries.

-- Alex

 

[Clashero]

Alright, so I just finished my first year of Computer Science. In this class we mostly used Java to teach us the basics of programming. We used a really nice IDE called Eclipse that was free (and awesome) but is limited to Java (I believe).
As an aspiring game programmer, I've taken it upon myself to learn C/C++. I've bought a C book to start, but it did not come with a compiler/IDE (as some might), and I was hoping if someone here knew of a C (and C++ preferabley) that was free and effective/easy enough to use.

Thank you all you Wizards/Programmers for your assistance!

Go to NeHe. They teach about coding AND about programming, if you catch my drift.

 

[theklng]

i'd honestly wait with trying a new language until you've mastered one. once you have, it's much easier to switch over. there's a guide called learn c++ in 21 days, google it. besides, computer science and programming is only half the battle. you'll want to get courses for software development if you want to use programming as applied science (stuff like GRASP principles and UML).

 

[GrindBass]

I would recommend not using a specific IDE for learning - this may mean that you become accustomed to some of the advanced features and may struggle if a company that you work for in the future uses an IDE without these features.

Instead, use a basic text editor. I find jedit very good - it has automatic text alignment for several languages including C and Java. For the compiler gcc is free and I think is included in several Linux distributions if you have one of those.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i'll say for some fun install linux and use vi .... oh wait sorry you want to ENJOY programing

well jokes aside vi is pretty good for syntax highlighting and such and will colour code things.

my other piece of advice is find some open source programs and check out their code, also try joining a project and do some editing and such and try to fix what's wrong. don't be afraid to ask and also don't get too upset if they criticize you, unless they're being jerks then tell them they are being jerks

 

[Alex_P]

well jokes aside vi is pretty good for syntax highlighting and such and will colour code things.

You mean vim.

-- Alex

 

[Nutcase]

Alright, so I just finished my first year of Computer Science. In this class we mostly used Java to teach us the basics of programming. We used a really nice IDE called Eclipse that was free (and awesome) but is limited to Java (I believe).

How would you know if Eclipse is awesome when it's all you have used?

Personally, I think it's somewhere between bad and mediocre, and should never be hoisted onto a beginning programmer. (And neither should Java.)

As an aspiring game programmer, I've taken it upon myself to learn C/C++. I've bought a C book to start, but it did not come with a compiler/IDE (as some might), and I was hoping if someone here knew of a C (and C++ preferabley) that was free and effective/easy enough to use.

Install Cygwin, and install the gcc4 and make packages in it. Install a good lightweight GUI text editor such as Crimson Editor. (Heavy duty editors like vim and emacs are nice - these are available as Windows installs as well as Cygwin packages - but it's a bit much to be learning them at the same time you're struggling with a new language.)

Also, don't even think about touching C++ until you can produce passable C code. C++ is a useful tool, but it is horribly complicated with tons of gotchas and special cases; learning syntax quirks doesn't do a lot towards making you a better programmer. C is simple and lets you develop good basics. Suffice to say, I have never seen anyone write good C++ without also being competent at C.

Make a simple makefile. Compile your C code with all warnings on. Always fix all warnings before moving forward. Install Valgrind and periodically run your program with it; fix all memory leaks and warnings before moving forward.