Is it time to say goodbye to VC6 compiler?

Question

Of late I\'m facing the issues that points finger to VC6 compiler.

Few of them are:

1. A function-try-block doesn\'t work. Related Q
2. in-class constan

Answer 1

I changed from VC++ 6.0 to Code::Blocks (which is FOSS) with g++ a few months ago and haven't really looked back. I miss the VC++ debugger a bit, as the gdb implementation in CB is nowhere near as slick, but that's about all. Some things in the IDE work better (code completion, tooltips, dependancy xalculation) and the compiler is obviously much better.

Regarding your points, function try blocks are hardly a widely used feature, and most people think they are pretty useless. And the __FUNCTION__ macro is not part of the C++ Standard, so you shouldn't depend on it too much if portability is an issue.

Answer 2

Is it time to say goodbye to VC6 compiler ?

Yes.

Answer 3

Quite frankly I can hardly understand why you wouldn't buy a modern computer and switch to Visual Studio 2008.

VC6 has got a deficient STL, poor C++ standard compliance and obsolete GUI.

You shouldn't let your competitors use better tools than you.

Answer 4

I guess this is why so many applications on Windows sucks because people still use VC6. Why mess with broke, never maintained MFC or even Win32 when their is wxWidgets and Qt4 out there way better than MFC could ever be and you you can even use the free additions of Visual Studio 2005+

Answer 5

Unless you have a large program to maintain, yes. Switch today!

The Express versions of VC++ are a free download from Microsoft.

Answer 6

The no-brainer answer is yes, and ASAP. You have free alternatives like VC++ express and Code::Blocks, if the cost as in issue. The pain in solving compatibility issues is IMO no reason not to upgrade because you will have to do it some day anyway and it only gets harder.

The only reason I see for a possible obstacle is if you have MFC code that will be difficult/time consuming to port. In that case you can't use VC++ express (no support for MFC) and you have to make the investment for at least the VS std. edition. That will cost you about EUR 300 (depending on where you live).