1. Do not share user accounts! Any account that is shared by another person will be blocked and closed. This means: we will close not only the account that is shared, but also the main account of the user who uses another person's account. We have the ability to detect account sharing, so please do not try to cheat the system. This action will take place on 04/18/2023. Read all forum rules.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For downloading SimTools plugins you need a Download Package. Get it with virtual coins that you receive for forum activity or Buy Download Package - We have a zero Spam tolerance so read our forum rules first.

    Buy Now a Download Plan!
  3. Do not try to cheat our system and do not post an unnecessary amount of useless posts only to earn credits here. We have a zero spam tolerance policy and this will cause a ban of your user account. Otherwise we wish you a pleasant stay here! Read the forum rules
  4. We have a few rules which you need to read and accept before posting anything here! Following these rules will keep the forum clean and your stay pleasant. Do not follow these rules can lead to permanent exclusion from this website: Read the forum rules.
    Are you a company? Read our company rules
Shared accounts will be removed Plugin Downloads Zero spam policy Forum Rules

Can anyone recommend a cheap (read: Free) C compiler for Windows?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by Historiker, Sep 17, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Messages:
    2,160
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Michigan USA
    Balance:
    9,195Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,161 / 19 / -1
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    As the title says: I need a compiler for Windows. I decided to buckle down and learn a program language and C seems to be the basis for most programming languages used in micro controller programming.

    I found several very good websites with "how to's" but to use the examples they require a compiler. They recommend using the free compiler included in Unix...but I do not use Unix or any other OS derived from same.

    Thanks

    David
    Historiker, Sep 17, 2013
    #1
  2. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    gcc is the basis of Arduino compiler, and is the compiler used on Linux most of the time. There's definitely Windows ports of it.
    • Like Like x 1
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #2
  3. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,236
    Location:
    Marseille - FRANCE
    Balance:
    20,963Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,089 / 21 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Hi !

    VisualStudio c++ express 2010 is free ! it is a BIG microsoft installation but a reference as well.

    CodeBlocks has good reviews.

    In my humble opinion, learning pseudo C with arduino would be the best start (arduino IDE) as true C can be horrible !

    ;-)
    Mat
    • Like Like x 1
    RacingMat, Sep 17, 2013
    #3
  4. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I would strenuously disagree, your honour! Arduino C is bleh :p
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #4
  5. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Mainly due to its complete mangling via function prototype insertion and lack of solid conditional compilation preprocessor.
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #5
  6. value1

    value1 Nerd SimAxe Beta Tester SimTools Developer Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2011
    Messages:
    2,184
    Location:
    Zug, Switzerland
    Balance:
    14,751Coins
    Ratings:
    +3,322 / 11 / -1
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK, Joyrider
    As mentioned by RacingMat I can recommend Visual C++ Express for free.
    Easy and very convenient. When you're unsure, you put the cursor onto the suspicious expression, press F1 and there opens a can of worms with help, explanations, examples, etc.
    • Like Like x 1
    value1, Sep 17, 2013
    #6
  7. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2006
    Messages:
    4,656
    Occupation:
    Self-employed | Web and application development
    Location:
    Hamburg, Germany
    Balance:
    23,862Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,999 / 13 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, SimAxe, SimforceGT
    @aarondc fanatic developer C fanboy:)

    If someone wants to build a chair you must not show him how to cut down timber:)
    • Like Like x 2
    RaceRay, Sep 17, 2013
    #7
  8. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Messages:
    2,160
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Michigan USA
    Balance:
    9,195Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,161 / 19 / -1
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    lol, we have the same issue with some of our instructors, especially in the technical classes. Two of them want to teach their Electronics Tech classes by starting them off with the basics of programming but the classes are meant to train technicians not programmers. Diagnostics rather than invention and innovation.

    Not that I am arguing with Aarondc, I am leaning toward learning C first anyway as it seems that most languages are derivatives of C (the grandaddy).

    Wow, Visual Studio Express really is a rather large install isnt it? ;)
    Doing so now. Thank you all for your opinions and help.
    • Like Like x 1
    Historiker, Sep 17, 2013
    #8
  9. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Arduino C is very close to C. But if you learn "properly" first, you can undo some of the strictness and program Arduinos no problemo.
    If you start with Arduino C and want to upgrade to real C, I think it would be more difficult.
    • Like Like x 1
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #9
  10. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I love the font this forum uses!! <3
    • Like Like x 1
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #10
  11. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,236
    Location:
    Marseille - FRANCE
    Balance:
    20,963Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,089 / 21 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    Ah, ah ! some people here like trolls ;-)

    PS : windows or mac ?
    RacingMat, Sep 17, 2013
    #11
  12. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I am a Delphi fanatic.
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #12
  13. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2006
    Messages:
    4,656
    Occupation:
    Self-employed | Web and application development
    Location:
    Hamburg, Germany
    Balance:
    23,862Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,999 / 13 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, SimAxe, SimforceGT
    Most times i use php because it delivers what i need for "web development". But i am also experienced in C / C++ Java, Erlang (rocks!!!), Python, Perl, VB Unfortunately, never played with Delphi

    Windows -> 6month Mac->Back to Windows.
    Debian for server.
    RaceRay, Sep 17, 2013
    #13
  14. RacingMat

    RacingMat Well-Known Member Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
    Messages:
    2,236
    Location:
    Marseille - FRANCE
    Balance:
    20,963Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,089 / 21 / -2
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    :) so we are friend again ! I'm relieved

    so, everybody agree that C is shitty and PascalObject is the best !
    (yet another troll !)
    RacingMat, Sep 17, 2013
    #14
  15. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Messages:
    2,160
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Michigan USA
    Balance:
    9,195Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,161 / 19 / -1
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    :rolleyes:
    Historiker, Sep 17, 2013
    #15
  16. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    My project for work:

    Delphi app saves data in local DB. Generates XML. Uploads XML to classic ASP website. Transforms XML into SQL via XSLT to save in server DB. Returns sync data as XML, which Delphi app converts to SQL via XSLT for saving in local DB.

    Now developing my own hardware emulator for automated testing purposes, using Arduino electronics and C/C++.

    This is the kind of project I enjoy, although the syntax sometimes gets messed up as I switch between languages...
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #16
  17. aarondc

    aarondc Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    Messages:
    133
    Location:
    Melbourne, Australia
    Balance:
    191Coins
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    G'day. Und danke, mais ich bein nein comprende pas, mes amies! Xie xie!!
    aarondc, Sep 17, 2013
    #17
  18. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2006
    Messages:
    4,656
    Occupation:
    Self-employed | Web and application development
    Location:
    Hamburg, Germany
    Balance:
    23,862Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,999 / 13 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, SimAxe, SimforceGT
    Sounds like a challenge. How do you like that:

    Use VB and ODBC to connect from MS Access to a local mysql database. Import data from MS Access into mySql. Create with plink (putty cmd) a ssh tunnel to the webserver. Export mysql data with mysqldump. Use the ssh tunnel to upload the *.sql file to the webserver. start various scripts on the server with plink to import the sql file there. And know everything into one script:)
    I hate enterprises that uses a bazillion different software products and no common interfaces.

    Btw. i am very glad that this is the only forum i know where no real trolls are active. Thats very rare these days
    RaceRay, Sep 17, 2013
    #18
  19. Historiker

    Historiker Dramamine Adict Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Messages:
    2,160
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Michigan USA
    Balance:
    9,195Coins
    Ratings:
    +2,161 / 19 / -1
    My Motion Simulator:
    3DOF, DC motor, Arduino, Motion platform, 6DOF
    Oi! My head hurts......lol
    Historiker, Sep 17, 2013
    #19
  20. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2006
    Messages:
    4,656
    Occupation:
    Self-employed | Web and application development
    Location:
    Hamburg, Germany
    Balance:
    23,862Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,999 / 13 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, SimAxe, SimforceGT
    My too. let´s wait what u say after programming C:D
    RaceRay, Sep 17, 2013
    #20
Page 1 of 2