C compiler for Windows? [closed]

Answer 1

Visual C++ Express is a fine and free IDE for Windows which comes with a compiler.

If you are more comfortable with commandline solutions in general and gcc in particular, MinGW or Cygwin might be more up you alley. They are also both free.

Answer 2

Must Windows C++ compilers will work.

Also, check out MinGW.

Answer 3

It comes down to what you're using in class.

If the labs and the assignments are in linux, then you probably want a MinGW solution. If they're in windows, get Visual Studio Express.

Answer 4

Be careful to use a C compiler, not C++ if you're actually doing C. While most programs in C will work using a C++ compiler there are enough differences that there can be problems. I would agree with the people who suggest using gcc via cygwin.

EDIT:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compatibility_of_C_and_C%2B%2B shows some of the major differences

Answer 5

I'm late to this party, but for any future C folks on Windows, Visual Studio targets C90 instead of C99, which is what you'd get on *nix. I am currently targeting C99 on Windows by using Sublime Text 2 in tandem with Cygwin.

Answer 6

MinGW would be a direct translation off gcc for windows, or you might want to check out LCC, vanilla c (more or less) with an IDE. Pelles C seems to be based off lcc and has a somewhat nicer IDE, though I haven't used it personally. Of course there is always the Express Edition of MSVC which is free, but that's your call.