C compiler please help

Post by **Skyone** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 5:02 pm

HotDog-Cart wrote:Dude, Bloodshed rocks.

Worst. Compiler. Ever.

fredboi · Post by **fredboi** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:38 am

I dont even care if I dont get a C compiler even a Basic compiler will be fine as long as its a compiler and I can make games with it. I wouldnt mind learning the language I just want a compiler that I can download and use and to be able to make games with. No web games though.

Felino · Post by **Felino** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:53 am

Mmmm, web games in basic. Sounds, er, fun.

fredboi · Post by **fredboi** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:31 am

I'm going to give up on this and just go to plan b which is to go on and learn C without a compiler. I continue on with the C tutorial to the end then once I have gained the necessary knowledge i'll just prgm the whole entire game into notepad, then in the near future when I get a compiler i will just copy and past the source code and try to work on the bugs from there. Do you guys esp. the pro's who know programing feel that this is a good idea or a good move to take?? I have made up my mind and i'm ready to spend the entire summer learning C.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:41 am

You could email your code to a friend that can install the compiler, and then he could email you back the compiled program.

Post by **gannon** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:01 am

Or something like http://www.delorie.com/djgpp/compile/ (only for small things though)

Limewater · Post by **Limewater** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:34 am

fredboi wrote:Do you guys esp. the pro's who know programing feel that this is a good idea or a good move to take?? I have made up my mind and i'm ready to spend the entire summer learning C.

No, this is not really a great idea. However, I understand the frustrations of trying to learn a language without having a compiler.

But, you more or less HAVE to have a compiler to learn a programming language. The only good way to do it is to get lots and lots of hours in writing programs, compiling, and debugging.

The online compiler posted above is a good idea for early on, when you're writing simple stuff. I've used online compilers before (years ago) and it was an OK experience.

And that's fine, because simple stuff is probably all you'll be writing for your first couple of months unless you already know Java or something.

Maybe if you start making progress and can show your dad a few simple programs you have written, he'll help you install a compiler so that you can continue your education.

Also, it's a really bad idea to just go ahead and write a really complicated program without ever compiling bits and pieces of it separately. You'll just end up sinking hours and hours into debugging, stepping through your code at all hours of the night and day until your hair starts falling out.

But, to be honest, if you're just starting on C then it will be a while before you're ready to program anything much more complicated than a choose-your-own-adventure style game. But don't get discouraged. It's pretty fun to code non-game stuff, too.

Good luck!

Oh yeah, and if you're really new to programming, I think that the Sam's books "Teach yourself C++ in 21 days" or "Teach yourself C in 21 days" are really good for beginners. Just don't expect to actually get through one in 21 days unless you already have programming experience. They're pretty readable (though there are typos, so look out!). They're also on the cheap side. I think they're around $30US, but you can probably find a used copy much cheaper.

fredboi · Post by **fredboi** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:35 pm

vskid wrote:You could email your code to a friend that can install the compiler, and then he could email you back the compiled program.

Thats what i'm sayin that I will learn C then program my game and whenever I get a compiler i'll compile it or send it to a freind. I plan on spending years on this game so I dont mind. I look for other programing languages compilers and which ever one works for me I will use it.

Felino · Post by **Felino** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:07 pm

But thing is, one error in your code, and it may take you weeks to find it, and keep having to send reviions away to people.

Not good.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:12 pm

if you make small incremental changes you can easily figure out what makes your code crash (or not compile). easily because its usually related to the last change you made.

Attempting to compile huge swaths of untested code is so frustrating. you can spend hours changing things and still not be able to compile it, let alone get it to work right. especially if you are a beginner, or have never even compiled something and understand what the errors and warnings mean.

I am the third person to tell you that its not a good idea.

Felino · Post by **Felino** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:28 pm

Fourth maybe?

fredboi · Post by **fredboi** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:22 am

good news guys, i'm an admin now. so you guys dont got to worry about a thing. thnx for all your help and advice i appreciate it all. thank all of you.