Is C++ free language or U have to buy it

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Jul 6th, 2001, 08:57 AM
‚Î‚©‚Ì2000

Is C++ free language or U have to buy it

Hi everyone I'm trying to learn C++. I've started learning Java but now i wanted to learn C++ at the same time.

This way I think it going to be faster in learning both language cos they are close to the same language. well that what i heard.

I don't know anything about C++ and I don't if it free or not.
I wanted to know the price, the newest version (Not Visual C++) Plz

Thanks you
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:06 PM
parksie

C++ is free, totally and unequivocally :) It's just compilers you pay for if you really want to, but you don't need to. See the FAQ for some links, but there's DJGPP, Borland C++ 5.5, Cygwin, and some others. (PS: lots of things use the GNU C++ Compiler although they have different names)
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:15 PM
Vlatko

If you are looking for i free C++ compiler i would recommend Turbo C++ 3.0, it is great. Otherwise if you have money or you live in some third world country get MS Visual C++ (absolutely the best).
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:18 PM
parksie

Isn't TC++3 16-bit? I don't think we want to scare new learners away with near/far pointers...
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:25 PM
Vlatko

Yeah, parksie you're right. :rolleyes: I use it a lot in the past few months (need to make DOS apps), so i forgot about 32-bit programming. :eek:
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:55 PM
parksie

Can't you use DJGPP to make DOS apps or do they actually have to be 16-bit ones?
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:58 PM

Ummm, DJGPP compiles console apps...
Jul 6th, 2001, 12:59 PM
parksie

Nope, it makes protected-mode DOS programs :)
Jul 6th, 2001, 01:23 PM

Then why are they so big? I thought only console programs were >150kb (The program I made in DJGPP was a "hello world" program, and it was like 175kb)...
Jul 6th, 2001, 01:31 PM
parksie

Did you remember to use the -s command line option?
Jul 6th, 2001, 01:42 PM

I was using RHIDE(the IDE) so I didn't really have a choice of any switches.... what does -s do?
Jul 6th, 2001, 01:44 PM
parksie

It strips all the debugging symbols out which GPP uses by default. Also, the C++ RTL is a lot larger than the C one - try a "Hello World" in C and it's about 50K as opposed to about 150K in C++ (just tested now, using the -s option both times).
Jul 9th, 2001, 09:30 PM
Emo

Quote:

Originally posted by parksie
near/far pointers...

I did a tutorial a while ago and it introduced me to the basics of Pointers and how to use them, but it didn't mention this... what does it do and what's if for?

Thanks!
-Emo
Jul 10th, 2001, 01:59 AM
Bjwbell

I don't know anything about them; except i've heard they're quit nasty. i believe they had something too do with segments?
As far as i know you don't have too worry about them with win98.
Jul 10th, 2001, 02:41 AM
parksie

Yep. A near pointer is to memory within the current segment, but a far pointer is a combination of segment:offset :eek: One of the nastiest things Intel ever did, but they seem to have got over it :rolleyes:

They're unnecessary in 32-bit programming of any kind.
Jul 11th, 2001, 02:55 AM
The Hobo

Are there any programs that aid in writing C++ files before compling?
Jul 11th, 2001, 05:04 AM
parksie

Notepad :)

Most compilers come with an IDE now, although the Borland free one doesn't. Denniswrenn made an IDE, you'd have to see him about it.
Jul 11th, 2001, 08:14 AM

http://www.planetsourcecode.com/xq/A...s/ShowCode.htm

Note: It does not compile the program in the large edit box, you have to type the path in the Open/Save box....
Jul 11th, 2001, 01:41 PM

Dennis, in RHIDE, go to Options...Compiler Options and put -s in there. I did that and now my hello world program is 137kb in size (down by half!). Why the hell is it still so big though?
Jul 11th, 2001, 02:39 PM
The Hobo

How do I get Borland Compiler to work? :(
Jul 11th, 2001, 03:02 PM
parksie

Quote:

Originally posted by wossname
Dennis, in RHIDE, go to Options...Compiler Options and put -s in there. I did that and now my hello world program is 137kb in size (down by half!). Why the hell is it still so big though?

I think it's because it also includes a DPMI server to enable your program to run 32-bit under DOS. Windows includes a DPMI, so native Windows programs are much smaller. Plus, it includes all the runtime library information it needs - it's larger, but totally independent.
Jul 12th, 2001, 12:34 AM

Dont bother trying to look for TC++ 3. It took me a few hours to find it, and the newer 32 bit compilers will work better for most people. Although i really like "graphics.h"... How odd does "256 colors on a monochrome screen" sound?

From what i can tell, i think they had to separate pointers into near and far because they could only transfer 16 bits per memory access (an int), so it would take 2 memory accesses to get an entire 32 bit address. Nowadays, we grab 32 bits per memory access (a DWORD). Sorta like the reason BOOLs are really one byte long, instead of a bit, because you cant access one bit at a time.

Z.
Jul 12th, 2001, 02:22 AM
parksie

Although on an Intel architecture I believe that although they're a byte, they effectively take 4 bytes because all variables have to lie on a 4-byte boundary or something like that.