6 replies to this topic

[DownloaderKL]

Does anyone know if there is a free version of MSVC like an older version that is now free? I was gonna buy it until I saw it costs like 400 dollars. Why is it so much more expensive than a video game? Oh man almost every tutorial I find use MS VC++.

[Tufty]

DownloaderKL said:

Does anyone know if there is a free version of MSVC like an older version that is now free? I was gonna buy it until I saw it costs like 400 dollars. Why is it so much more expensive than a video game? Oh man almost every tutorial I find use MS VC++.

You can use the free Visual C++ 2003 Toolkit, available from MS. Combine that with something like Code::Blocks IDE (I think that's what it's called anyway, I have VS2003 on student license from uni so I've never tried it) and you have a full development environment. Obviously a few things will be different, but will still work.

[DownloaderKL]

Ok I'll do that...but do you think Dev C++ is fine?

[Kippesoep]

November will see Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition coming out. The beta is currently available for free and the final version will cost a very reasonable $49.

[Axel]

Here in Germany you can get VC++ Standard for 100€. Is it really that expensive in the USA?

[DownloaderKL]

What's the difference between VC++express and standard VC++?

[Einheri]

Express is limited in its features and simplified a little, but it uses the same compiler as standard and the IDE is perfectly adequate for almost everything a non-professional could want to do.

But yeah, VC++ toolkit + code::blocks IDE is probably the best free solution next to the express beta.