I am new to programming and am learning Visual C++ and purchasing various software programs for game development. I am looking for a compiler and have visited http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/prodinfo/datasheet/feature.asp and can not decide if the Visual C++ Professional version is a must have for gaming or if the Standard version will do. Any recommendations? I have purchased Paint Shop Pro 7 and have Genesis 3D SDK 1.1. If anyone can give me tips on other software that would be great for 3D programming and gaming, I would greatly appreciate it. I am good at drawing items and things, but am not good at drawing people or living beings. I love the GameDev site and visit it almost daily! Thank you to the people involved for making the site!!

Since you''re just starting, get the cheapest version of MSCVC++ you can find. You can try eBay too.

If you''re just starting, get the cheapest thing you can get, or try one of the many free compilers that are on the internet.


http://druidgames.cjb.net/

I have to do a little pimping for Borland here, since they seem to get no respect

You can a free version of the compiler that C++ Builder uses here:

http://www.borland.com/bcppbuilder/freecompiler/cppc55steps.html

It's free, ANSI, and does Win32. The only downsides are that it doesn't come with an IDE (adds to the learning curve) and a lot of stuff is written with VC++, which can introduce compatibility issues. It's kind of a bummer when you download that cool new API (like nVidia's D3D toolkit) and compiler dependancies rear their ugly head. Sigh.

Still not a bad way to start.



Edited by - RabidOcelot on May 1, 2001 12:04:55 AM

Dev-C++!

~~~~~~~~~~
Martee
http://www.csc.uvic.ca/~mdill

I second that, Dev-C++!

It''s what I''m learning with. And I think it''s a hell of a lot easier than VC++.

If you''re in college, get VC++ anyway since it''ll come in handy. Professional version for $99. I love academic pricing.

Argh! Forgot to login.

Anyway, Dev-C++ comes with OpenGL libs that work with it, and I believe you can get a version of DX that works with it from Alias25.com(When CFXweb is working again).

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.gerfen/new_page_2.htm has a simple C++ tutorial and an OpenGL tutorial aimed at Dev-C++ as well. The C++ tutorial isn''t much, I guess one might call it a very, very quick briefing.

I purchased a game programming kit that had the introductory/educational edition of MS VC++ compiler and I''m learning on it. Where can we get the Professional for $99? I''ve seen it for ~$550.

I am not certain what Dev-C++ is. My GameDev search is not working from the computer at work.

MSVC 6.0 Pro is only available for $99 if you''re a student/academic. If you don''t qualify for this benefit, you can get the Std version. It should suffice for a newbie to programming. Heck, I''ve been programming for years and I''m happy with the Std version.

The only thing you''ll really miss is the Optimizer and the Profiler. But don''t misinterpret this, even without the optimizer, the programs generated are NOT slow.

NuffSaid,

When the MS site states "slow" in the stats do they mean output as far as compilation goes (how fast it will compile the program) or how the game is going to work in the end? I''m interested in RPG and don''t wish to have my games slowed for players because of a lowsy compiler. I''m leaning toward the MSVC because so
there will be no worry about compatibility.