YKYW - Nursing Student Blog » Blog Archive

by Jaxia @ 12:13 pm on September 4, 2005. Filed under Geek | School | Technology

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a computer geek. I started off working help desk, moved up to desktop support and eventually systems administration and IT manager. When someone asks me what I can do, I’ve always said, “Anything but programming.”

Well, in order to get a degree in computer science, I have to take a couple of programming classes. I am in the first one and the teacher wants me to send him a email with the name of the C or C++ compiler I use.

But, I don’t even know what that’s all about. Any suggestions?

[link]

15 Responses to “I Need A Compiler”

Comments

I think what he’s probably getting at is what editor you use, being that most “studios” include some sort of mechansim to compile code. As far as a straight compiler, if you want to show off, you can lie and tell him that you use gcc from the command line. Whatever you do, don’t tell him you use this. He’ll probably ask you why you need to take his class in the first place.

Comment by Josh — September 4, 2005 @ 5:39 pm
Well, a program is just a text file. Usually, it’s written in a higher-level language like C or C++ to make it more readable to the programmer. Then, the compiler transforms it into machine code (there are a few steps in there like assembly and linking, but let’s simplify).

Some people prefer to edit in a regular text editor (emacs or vi) while many beginners (and others) prefer an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) which puts the editor, complier, and a bunch of tools all in one GUI.

If you’re on Windows, Visual Studio.NET is probably the best, but it’s expensive.

In the Linux world, most people use gcc which is free/open source. I think there is a port of the Windows world (DJGPP), but it’s a bit tricky to get going. Ultimately, the choice of programming environment isn’t a big deal. Whenever you switch, you spend a few hours getting up to speed and getting the build system working in a way that lets you complie your projects and generate executables and then you forget about it.

It’s a bit like using databases. Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL all support the SQL standard, but their tools for actually running that SQL are a bit different. I prefer emacs+gcc, but I often tell people who are willing to pay to start with VS for a few months until they’re happy doing things by hand.

Have fun.

Comment by Dan G — September 5, 2005 @ 1:11 am
You? A computer geek? Never!

Comment by Beck — September 5, 2005 @ 1:39 am
Josh - I might need to play my ‘”but I’m a girl and I don’t get computers” with batting eyelashes’ card, so I won’t say that - for sure!

Dan G - Thanks so much for that info! It helped me a lot. I’m not quite geek enough to use Linux (or, I just can’t get out of the mindset of being a ‘Softie) so I use Windows. I don’t want to spend the money for .net since this is just for a class, but I did download the visual studio toolkit. Some of the other people in class are using it, so hopefully I can figure it out. Right now, it just looks like a fancy comand prompt though. Heh.

Beck - Shhh! I’m trying to keep it a secret!

Comment by Jaxia — September 5, 2005 @ 2:15 am
OK, there are a few ways to do this. First, I think you want to start simply. That means get an educational edition of a C/C++ compiler, such as one that is included with a book on C++. The combination will cost about $40. It will provide a project environment that helps you in writing programs and also compiling and executing and debugging them. Most of all, it has worked exercises to take you through for getting your feet wet. Go into a local Barnes & Noble and look for books like “Teach Yourself C++ in 24 Hours” and similar titles. They should have a CD-ROM in the back of the book and check to make sure it includes a compiler and additional software. The last book I checked on a recent Barnes & Noble visit had a Borland C++ Builder included, and that is a good choice. If you find one that has something like Visual C++ Standard edition or Express edition, that will work fine too. Some books have the Gnu compiler, but I don’t know how well they support the development and editing cycle with integrated tools.

If you are using a Windows PC, you can also get a copy of Visual C++ Express, a special version of Visual Studio with a C++ compiler and enough basics to edit, compile, and test projects that you will be developing. I haven’t checked that out.

You can also get a complete, free Microsoft Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 with Microsoft’s production C++ compiler as a free download from the MSDN site: http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003/. For that, you need to be geekier, because it is a bare-bones setup. I don’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t know what C++ is already and can troubleshoot a setup, find a text editor, set compiler options, write make or build scripts, acquire utilities and standard libraries, etc. (If you want to try it, please let me know: I have some tips about avoiding some installation pitfalls.)

Which brings me to my last question. It sounds to me like a course on programming with C++ is not a good first choice if computer science is new to you, even though you’ve been working heavily around computers (but not doing any programming). I strongly recommend that you start with a survey course of Computer Science (something based on, say, Brookshear’s “Computer Science: An Overview” ). In fact, check out the text for your course right away. If it is a book like Deitel’s “C++ How To Program” I think there is too much prior assumption of software knowledge. If the syllabus doesn’t show how they are going to cover overall computer science topics and what programming is like, but immerse you in programming right off the bat, I think you should use the no-penalty withdrawal time to transfer into a more-introductory course to get yourself oriented. It also gives you a chance to start using one of the books on learning to program with C++ and doing the initial exercises before diving into a programming course where you’re locked into an assignment schedule. Is this an on-the-ground class or is it on-line. If you don’t have fellow students to work with, that’s a bigger reason to start more slowly in something you can calibrate yourself with.

PS: The Visual C++ Toolkit is a command-line application, if that’s what you downloaded. The .NET SDK works similarly, but it gives you a C# compiler and some other command-line goodies. (I need to look at that. It may have some utilities I need my collaborators to use and I don’t want them to have to pay for it [;

Comment by orcmid — September 5, 2005 @ 3:22 pm
Oops, I used a < character in the previous note and it cut all of the remaining PSs off. One last bit. If you choose to try the free Visual C++ Toolkit 2003, let me know: I have some tips about getting around some installation hurdles. It helps to know how to write batch files to use that package, by the way. You will need a text editor, although Notepad works well enough for starters.

Finally, I’ll be near a convenient Barnes & Noble on Wednesday when I go near a shopping center to donate blood. If you’re still looking by then, I’ll take another look for good starter texts on programming and C++ that include the necessary software.

Comment by orcmid — September 5, 2005 @ 3:29 pm
I think orcmid covered most everything - it’s been years since I’ve bought a compiler. But first check with your school bookstore and see if you can get any of those titles at a student discount.

I’ve used older versions of Borland’s C compiler and I was always happy with them. As for your teacher - possibly he could suggest one that he likes or that the school offers at a discounted price.

What your teacher needs to know is that he has a compiler that can recompile the code you send to him. (Although I never had a teacher recompile my code - I would just turn in the printed out text file and the results pages along with the floppy disk - yeah this was years ago) I find this interesting because schools used to give you the compiler - or tell you which one you needed for the class.

Comment by Teresa — September 5, 2005 @ 9:41 pm
Orcmid - Wow! Thanks so much for all of that information. This class is the intro class for computer science majors, so I’m stuck with trying to figure it out. The books for class do appear to start at a fairly low level, though. I think maybe the teacher just got ahead of himself with expecting us to know which compiler to use. I did download Microsoft Visual C++ Toolkit 2003, but if it is not a good tool for just getting started, I think I will buy a book/software as you suggest. If you have a moment at the bookstore, I would love some suggestions.

Teresa - I’m taking this class online, and something happened with the first teacher, so they had someone else jump in and take over. I think that this new teacher is just winging it. I’ve heard good things about Borland’s C compiler; I will have to take a look at it. Thanks for stopping by!

Comment by Jaxia — September 6, 2005 @ 12:49 pm
Hi. I was digging around with Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 today, because it figures in my M.Sc in IT dissertation project. I need to comment on Brian Johnson’s blog about some problems I noticed.

Meanwhile, unless you are going to make real Windows applications, you can get a long ways with the Toolkit. I have some tips for you. My first tip is do not create projects in the C:\Program Files\ directory even though that’s what the examples do. That’s a bad practice. If you haven’t tripped over it, it probably means you’re running as Administrator or a Power user. The toolkit has no need for special privileges and it is better to operate as a limited user. It will save you from bugs caused by your first programs crashing and damaging something while they do it.

This does mean you’ll need to customize the batch files that setup what the toolkit programs need to find everything. I have done that once and I need to do it again. I’m in a small crunch to produce a draft document, but this weekend may be a good time for me to post some tips and samples that may help you as well as people who may want to try out my project samples.

Check the book to see the kinds of programs you will be writing. If there are actual Windows applications, the Toolkit is insufficient. Although you can download the Platform SDK (or pay under $10 shipping to get a CD-ROM) and have all of the libraries you need, there are other tools that are needed for building a full-up Windows GUI application. The easy way to get those is with an educational version of Visual Studio. The Borland Builder that comes with some books may be a good alternative too.

I’ll look while I’m in bookstores tomorrow.

Comment by orcmid — September 6, 2005 @ 5:36 pm
I did manage to spend some time at Barnes & Noble. I came away with two books and references on others. I also started writing up my use of the Microsoft Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 for my dissertation.

I’ll put my notes on a web page or two and tell you where to find them when they are ready. I’ll be doing that Thursday morning (Pacific Daylight Time = gmt - 0700).

Comment by orcmid — September 8, 2005 @ 12:43 am
Well, that took much longer than I thought, but I also discovered something else I needed for my thesis project [;<).

My recommendations are on-line at http://ODMA.info/active/ODMref10/tools/Q050903b.htm

I also have some suggestions to make on downloading and setting up Microsoft Visual C++ Toolkit 2003. There are placeholders for now. I’ll let you know when there is something useful.

I welcome review on all of this materials.

Comment by orcmid — September 8, 2005 @ 10:25 pm
Since this class is starting with the “History of C,” I think I am in the right class. The next lesson covers the structure of a program and is due next Thursday. I have some stuff to get done for my lit class before I go out of town tomorrow, but I will read these when I get back. It looks like a great resource!

Comment by Jaxia — September 9, 2005 @ 4:10 pm
I have completed as much as I can right now. The part on setting up Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 for safe operation is still pretty sketchy but there are lots of screen shots. Start at
http://ODMA.info/odma/active/ODMref10/tools/Q050901.htm
for the whole story.

This material can be shared as widely as you want, and I welcome feedback. I tend to over-write and then simplify in later revisions, as you might be able to tell from all of those long pages [;<).

Comment by orcmid — September 12, 2005 @ 12:10 pm
Sorry, start at http://ODMA.info/active/ODMref10/tools/Q050901.htm

Comment by orcmid — September 12, 2005 @ 12:12 pm
Ocrmid - It looks great to me! I’m still trying to process everything, and I don’t understand all of it, but it does explain a lot. In class, we are still reviewing the history of C and how it compares to other languages, so I haven’t had to start developing anything yet.
(and, I somehow lost the email, but I don’t mind the nod in my direction )

Comment by Jaxia — September 15, 2005 @ 11:11 am

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>