Michael Abshoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > <rant>Last time I checked the "free" Microsoft Compiler (the one shiped > with VS2003) even missed essential tools like nmake or lib! I could not > believe how useless that compiler package is. Certainly people will not be > using the free Microsoft compiler if you can't du much more than invoking > the compiler on the command line. The Express release of VS 2005 is also > supposedly free, but requires an activation (and a passport account). The > download of all needed components for that one totals roughly 550MB. Well, > if Microsoft wants certain classes of developers (students will little > money, etc.) to migrate away from free C/C++ compilers/environments like > MinGW/Cygwin they need to learn how to ship uncrippeld "free stuff"</rant> > > Michael Abshoff > > PS: Sorry for the rant, but I couldn't resist :)
;-) I share much of your rumblings, however you can download nmake 1.5 directly from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q132084 and lib can be simulated by "link.exe /lib". The free MSVC is not completely useless, indeed I was able to compile with it a fully functional gnuplot with all the ancillary libs (zlib, libpng, libjpeg, freetype, libgd, and pdflib). It was quite painful to get acquainted with its quirks, though, and I think now I understand why often you have to pay for programs on Windows ;-) All in all, I think that MinGW/Cygwin is a much better option. -- Enrico P.S.: If only a couple of years ago someone had told me that I would have been discussing about programming on Windows, I would have said he was crazy ;-)
