Visual C++ Compiler for Macs

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Level 1

5 points

Visual C++ Compiler for Macs

I am taking a "Digital Computations" class right now, but it really should be labeled "C++ for Beginners." We're learning C++ and using Visual C++ to compile our programs - all on PCs.

I, however, own a Mac, and it is very annoying to have to go into lab every time I want to work on C++ homework. I've searched and searched and searched, but I can't seem to find any Visual C++ compilers that will run on a Mac OS. Does any such thing exist?

Obviously, I'd like it to be as close to the PC program as possible - I am being graded on it, after all. And since it's only a semester long course, I really need it to be free, too.

Can anyone help?

Thank you very much!

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Apr 15, 2007 1:43 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 15, 2007 4:28 PM in response to LilRicki

If you still have your Mac OS X Install Discs... On the first disc, you can install the "Developer Tools" which would then install Xcode and Interface Builder. Xcode is what is used for Programming, Interface Builder will let you make GUIs similar to the Preferences, FireFox, and many other things...

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Answer 2

LilRicki Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 15, 2007 6:09 PM in response to Der-Nalia__

Thanks for the help, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. We're using very specific commands in my class, and I tried running a basic program using the "C++ Tools" part of the Xcode program and it didn't even recognize a simple "cin" statement.

Of course, I could be going about it all wrong. But I really need it to be almost exactly like what I have in class - which I don't think I'm going to get for a Mac.

Unless anyone can prove me wrong . . .?

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 3

Apr 15, 2007 6:14 PM in response to LilRicki

Well, depending on what you are doing, you might just be able to copy and paste most of your code... however... Direct X doesn't exist for OS X... and Most of the interface is run through a framework called Cocoa.

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Answer 4

Apr 15, 2007 7:20 PM in response to LilRicki

In your case you'll need to be using Virtual PC + Windows of some flavor. Of course, that costs money and performance would be terrible.

Not all C++ code is cross-platform and compilers are obviously written by different development groups (Visual C++ by Microsoft, Intel writes their own, and gcc is the open source compiler used on OS X) obviously do not use the same commands or syntax. With C++, you really need to target your code to the platform (either POSIX or Win32, etc.).

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Answer 5

LilRicki Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 15, 2007 7:36 PM in response to Trevor Seward

Thanks for the help! We use the Microsoft version - so I need a Win32 Console Application. Is it simply not possible? I guess I would prefer trekking myself all the way to the Engineering Building to do homework rather than do it "wrong" and get a bad grade.

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Answer 6

Apr 15, 2007 4:31 PM in response to LilRicki

You Can Download Xcode here

http://developer.apple.com/tools/download/

you will need a Developer account... which is free...YAY FREENESS!

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Answer 7

Apr 29, 2007 12:23 AM in response to LilRicki

Yeah, you can't get by without Windows in your case. Win32 == 32bit Windows application.

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