Yesterday I am looking for a C++ compiler and debugger for the subsequent study on the C++ patterns. My requirement is that this tool should be freee and easy to use. Actually I have no enough time to lear the complex command line and compile options in the GCC/GDB. Why I need the free software is that I am using the company PC to compile the programm. However the unauthorized software is not allowed to be used in the working envrionment, otherwise, once it is detected by the Software Manufacture, the company have to pay a lot of money for the law suit....:(
I choose the DEV C++ firstly. I installed the Dev C++ 5 from the set up file downloaded via the www.sourceforge.com. From the beginning, I thought I will use it well. What the most unfortunately thing is that I can not use the debug toll embedded in the DEV C++. Each time I click the debug botton to initiate the debugging process, it is always popped out that "your project does not contain the debug information, will you rebuild the project?" Ok, i rebuilt the project again and again, the warning information insists to be there. I have to turn to google search. Wow, many guys on line are complaining that they can not debug their program in Dev C++. Meanwhile, many nice code gurus are help them. I am very happy that googling provides the answer at the first glance of the the searching results. But soo, I am very depressed that almost all the problems are not solved, even the details of how to set the debugging information is done by those poor guys who can not debug the programm. As to these tips by the experienced people, the most important thing is that the compiler option should be set as include debug information. But I, also the poor guys raising questions online, have already done this according to the Help attached to the the software. Oh, the problem is still there laughing at me, after 1 hour of hard effort.
I can not waste time on such meaningless thing. What I want is only an available compiler and debugger. I decide to go back to the Visual C++, even it is unauthorized. At least, I just try it in a very short time(30 days) and then to remove it after the Dev C++ is matured... But, my disk does not has the installer of the VS 6, which is used often in my past study.
Thanks god, this time, google search really helps me out. The search result is amazing! Microsoft issues the free VC++: Visual C++ 2005 Express. How the Microsoft give us poor programmer such a good gift? May it is only a demo? Anyway, just try it. I download the setup file and start to install it on line(it can be only intalled online). From the website introduction, i realized that it is really free with full compliance to the standard C++ spec. After it is installed successfully, i also recognized that it also combine the STL(if I am not wrong). The only thing omitted by the MS is the MFC, but it is not problem at all. My study does not use the MFC.
The Graphic User Interface is quite familiar with me, and the most exciting thing is that it is completedly free, whether from the space and the time.
The debugger is also so easy and friendly to use. I have a try on the debugging as long as the software is ready. The watch, the single step running, and the breakpoints, all seem to be so fine. But, a ho, one thing is forgotten. I did not see the memory debugging window? In VS6, I often use it to check the memory overwriting...It is very important and can not be scalable! Till now, I said to myself, the free thing from Microsoft is rubbish... But I am still not sure about it. I am not believing that such an important functionality can be igonored by MS intentionly. Once again, i turn to Google , dear google, searching that anyboday has ever met such problem. Thanks god again, I got the answer quickly. When the debugging is initiated, you should click the debug tab-> window->memory to find the the layout of the memory. Remember, if the debugging is not started yet, you can not see the memory tab. That's fine, the problem is finally sovled.
Let's taste the VC++ 2005 Express right now!