Compilation queries...

[arun1390]

Hi. I'm a beginner and i'm using visual c++ 6.0 to write code and compile my programs. I was wondering if there is a c compiler that comes with windows, or other OS, because i read somewhere that you could write c++ code in a text editor like notepad and, then input commands at the dos prompt to compile it. If anyone could explain to me how to do that and how it works.

Thanks.

BTW, this is a great forum...i'm learning quite a lot just by reading the posts :-).

[Scipio]

I'm not familiair with visual c++ 6.0, but my guess is that it's not a compiler but an IDE, integrated development environment. That means in has an editor, an compiler and a linker in it. You can also download only a compiler, eg MinGW, and when you send a textfile (edited in any kind of editor) to it, it will create a .exe file (often with a name as a.exe).

This is a pretty good tutorial where its explained clearly:
http://home.no.net/dubjai/win32cpptut/html/

[Bazzy]

Visual C++ is both an IDE and a compiler

[arun1390]

My question was - Does windows come with a c++ compiler??? If i do not install any ide (like vc++) or any other compiler, will i be able to compile code that i write in a text editor??

[Scipio]

The far as i know: no. You will have to download a IDE or a compiler to compile sourcecode. That sourcecode can be written in text editor.