borland vs visual c++

[Tony]

I have experience programming in microsoft visual c++, but here in university we will be using borland compiler instead. We went over a sample Hello World and it all looks different (mostly due to the use of different headers).

Does anyone know what exactly are the differences between the two compilers (writing syntax wise)?

side note: I was hoping for java, but I dont see that happening. In fact we'll be taking a step back into C by the end of the term

Why would they start teaching with C++ and then move to C?

[rizzix]

no idea.. but borland compiler is the best c++ compiler out there on the windows platform. its error reporting is better than most other compilers (but not as good as javac ).. and it enforces ansi standards.

comparing it to gnu compiler.. well lets just say gnu only advantave is the fact that is found on such a large number of platforms. but otherwise borlands compiler is still by far much better. now it may not seem as such a big deal to have a compiler supporting a large number of platform.. well in reality it is.. cuz u see.. c++ code is not always portable from one compiler to another.. and having one compiler support soo many platforms.. then all you need to do to port you applications is simply recompile (of course this depends on the libraies you use as well).. so that actually is the only reason one would rather prefer gnu to borland..

as another plus point for the borland compiler is the fact that it is relatively much much faster in compilation as compared to gnu's or microsoft's. and hey its free

as far as c++/c syntax goes.. you dont have to worry it enforces ansi standards.

PS: another nice compiler is Digital Mars.. but i would rather stick to borland for now.. let just say dmc has its flaws.. but hey its rather new.. soo... we just have to wait and see... not to mention borland is a well supported compiler is a large number of libraries out there.. as opposed to dmc.. which has soo little support from anyone

[Mazer]

Ha, so I'm not the only one. Tony: what does the Hello World source look like?

[bugzpodder]

i'd definately recommend VC++ .net 2k3 for their .net environment... if you just do standard C++... you may way to stay away from VC++6 though

[Tony]

borland is pissing me off. It can't load the <string> , it can't add character arrays, it seems to be missing type casting and arrays break the graphics library I'm using

eh... so one step at a time : how do I put together a string with a variable in the middle and pass that into a function?

[wtd]

tony wrote:

borland is pissing me off. It can't load the <string> , it can't add character arrays, it seems to be missing type casting and arrays break the graphics library I'm using

eh... so one step at a time : how do I put together a string with a variable in the middle and pass that into a function?

code:

#include <sstream> #include <string> void some_proc(std::string input); int main() {    std::stringstream ss;    int a = 42;    std::string first = "foo", second = "bar";    ss << first << a << second;    some_proc(ss.str());    }

[wtd]

rizzix wrote:

its error reporting is better than most other compilers (but not as good as javac )

Really... you have got to try the O'Caml compiler (ocamlc) if you think javac is the high water mark in error reporting.

[Tony]

aha

well I figured thats the graphics library we're using, is for some strange reason includes a String class of its own.. worse off - its called just that - String. So guess what - if I try to include the <string>, program breaks

[Mazer]

Hmm... I knew Borland had a graphics library, but are you guys actually using it in assignments?

[McKenzie]

As far as starting with C++ then going back to C, that's not a bad idea at all. They want you to establish current coding practices, but they also want you to be more employable. There is a hugh installed base of good old ANSI C code out there. I'm sure they just plan to give you some highlights on the restrictions of using C rather than C++.