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Leith

(7,855 posts) Wed Apr 14, 2021, 05:01 PM Apr 2021

Can anyone recommend a good C++ compiler to download for free?

I've been thinking about teaching myself C++ (don't worry, I have a BS in computer science and I can read and understand most C++ code), but I need a decent compiler and I don't have piles of money to spend on it.

Any recommendations on the best book to learn from are appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance!

6 replies

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Can anyone recommend a good C++ compiler to download for free? (Original Post) Leith Apr 2021 OP

my solution lapfog_1 Apr 2021 #1

gcc and clang are excellent and widely available RavioliMan Apr 2021 #2

I'm currently migrating from GCC to clang. Clang is next generation tech so I'd give it the edge nt Shermann Apr 2021 #5

look up cygwin/g++. Free and better than MS compiler for windows. Pobeka Apr 2021 #3

I would definitely second that.nt. drray23 Apr 2021 #4

Forget C++ CloudWatcher Apr 2021 #6

lapfog_1

(30,225 posts)

1. my solution

Reply to Leith (Original post)

Wed Apr 14, 2021, 05:08 PM

Apr 2021

g++ on a Linux machine... buy a raspberry pi for teaching yourself

RavioliMan

(8 posts)

2. gcc and clang are excellent and widely available

Reply to Leith (Original post)

Wed Apr 14, 2021, 05:10 PM

Apr 2021

I do most work on a Mac, so clang is the default there.

On Windows, I install GCC g++ via cygwin which is a UNIX-like environment that will provide a nice command-line interface to many things including compilers.

There is also the free Eclipse IDE which works across all of the above. I prefer command line.

Shermann

(8,698 posts)

5. I'm currently migrating from GCC to clang. Clang is next generation tech so I'd give it the edge nt

Reply to RavioliMan (Reply #2)

Wed Apr 14, 2021, 07:22 PM

Apr 2021

Pobeka

(4,999 posts)

3. look up cygwin/g++. Free and better than MS compiler for windows.

Reply to Leith (Original post)

Wed Apr 14, 2021, 05:10 PM

Apr 2021

It was far better at producing reliable code (math intensive, optimization algorithms) when we benchmarked it about 8 years ago now. I assume it's still going strong.

drray23

(7,995 posts)

4. I would definitely second that.nt.

Reply to Pobeka (Reply #3)

Wed Apr 14, 2021, 06:33 PM

Apr 2021

CloudWatcher

(1,930 posts)

6. Forget C++

Reply to Leith (Original post)

Tue Apr 20, 2021, 09:20 PM

Apr 2021

Naw, forget C++, learn Python instead! I'm only 1/2 kidding, C++ is almost a historical language now.

And you kinda forgot to mention what platform you'll be using. If you've got a spare HDMI monitor and USB keyboard/mouse, then a Raspberry Pi can be a lot of fun (and runs Pi-hole too). If you've got any Linux box, then the compiler comes with it. If you've got a Mac, then Xcode is free (and omg learn Swift!). If you've got a Windows machine ... well, good luck!

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