Hi,

I'm currently using www.codeblocks.org/mingw compiler. Will I be able to build components with these, and does maybe someone have example components?

Otherwise I'll have to try VC++ 2005 express...

Thanks.

I found http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....ndpost&p=397432 and OK, the answer is: DON'T.

About the Express versions of microsoft compilers: Do they produce good code? Are all compiler options adjustable? Whats the advantage of the commercial product, just a better IDE?

I've been trying the 2005 express for about a week now and the only thing that I am really missing, (compared to VS2003 Pro) is resource(dialog etc.) editing. So I had to use 2003 for that. Other than that, I'd say express version is more than enough for almost any fb2k component developer. All compiler/linker/project options seem to be available.

And platform SDK is missing in the express version too, but it can be downloaded from MS.

edit: hmm, you were asking about the compiler, not IDE.. well, anyway.

Compiler options GUI is the same as far as I've seen, which is logical because you use the exactly same compiler with the Express edition that are used with the other editions. One of the most sorely missed features is the already mentioned resource editor.

Other than that there are some other IDE or advanced features that are not included like profiling support, or the "Error" pane that shows errors and warnings from the compiler output as a list. While not necessary to develop programs, it does help quite a bit, like when you get one error and twenty warnings, and want to investigate the error first. The lack of advanced features is appropriate for a product for beginners, and the lack of the resource editor can easily be explained by the Express edition primarly targetting .NET, but the omission of this basic workflow enhancing feature is a bit sad. It makes the Express edition look more like a toy than a tool.

The Express edition also does not have MFC or ATL, though you can get ATL with the Platform SDK. (There is an article on Codeproject.com that explains how to set up ATL and WTL on the Express edition.)

As a side note I'll have to say i had some issues with compiling foobar related code with 2005.

Thanks people. I have installed a vc++ 2005 express now and I'm trying.