Re: [Dev-C++] Dev C++/Visual C++ comparison

[<jar...@ig...>]

On  2 May, Bob Watson wrote:
> I'm currently at university doing a comp. sci. course, and they've 
> recommended we get out hands on the student version of Visual C++. This 
> of course costs money that I'd rather not spend.
> 
> Up until now, I've been working in Dev C++ for all the assignments 
> they've set, however I was wondering if there is any major functional 
> differences between the two (I doubt we'll do anything requiring a GUI 
> this semester, and next semester we use CodeWarrior on Linux), apart 
> from the price difference, what benefits does Dev have over Visual? I'm 
> gonna need to pass this by the lecturers and I'd like to have *some* 
> idea of what I'm talking about :)

I can only compare with Visual C++ Version 6.0 ( I've heard there is
a 7.0 version, but I'm not sure)

The 6.0 version is FAR behind GNU's g++ with respect to conformance to
the C++ standard. E.g. namespaces (especially namespace std) which I
teach my students from the very beginning are not (right) supported by
Visual C++. I remember there are other oddities.
So, I wouldn't recommend this (rather old) compiler for learning (true)
C++.


-- 
Helmut Jarausch

Lehrstuhl fuer Numerische Mathematik
Institute of Technology, RWTH Aachen
D 52056 Aachen, Germany