Member Avatar for Quarck

Hi

I'm was a c++ programmer for 7 years past with VC++
then go to Java and now return to c++ ,
I've search for VC++ and its seems big change now (VC++ Express Edition ) .

I looking for free VC++6.0 or any other easy/free editor for c++ programming .

any info. are welcome here

Thanx ..

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For a developer returning to C++ after years away (as described), the single “best IDE” depends on the task: maintaining old Windows-only projects, learning modern C++ features, or doing cross‑platform work. Several members here have recommended different tools; the practical choice should be driven by the build system, debugging needs, and how much effort will go into modernizing legacy code.

A compact, practical migration checklist that fills a gap in the thread:

  1. Put the project under version control and add small, repeatable builds (use a build system that IDEs can consume).
  2. Compile with a modern compiler and enable strict warnings (treat warnings as errors) so old non‑standard constructs (scope rules, implicit conversions, MFC API changes) show up as fixes to do, echoing @AncientDragon’s portability point.
  3. Run static analysis and runtime sanitizers to find undefined behavior and memory issues before chasing IDE differences.
  4. Migrate incrementally: fix a few modules, keep tests green, then expand. This minimizes surprises that @NickEvan and others hinted at when moving between toolchains.

Tooling and workflow notes that add to posts from , , and : prefer an environment that integrates well with the chosen build system and toolchain rather than committing to one editor for historical reasons. Good debugger support, solid code navigation/refactoring, and easy access to static-analysis/sanitizers will pay far more than nostalgia for an old UI. For legacy MFC work, plan for API differences and consider porting wrappers gradually.

Final caution: ease of use matters—many developers in the thread chose what felt productive. The safest, least painful route is a reproducible toolchain (source control + portable build scripts) and an IDE or editor that can attach to that workflow so the focus stays on fixing code, not fighting the environment.

Recommended Answers

All 14 Replies

Member Avatar for AceofSpades19

Eclipse and Code::Blocks are good
I personally use Emacs of course ;)

Member Avatar for ivailosp

eclipse have c++ IDE

Member Avatar for Nick Evan

I like VS2008 (VC++ Express) the best. It's free and it's backwards-compatible with VC6.

VC6 isn't freely available (to my knowledge).
What problems do you have with the new visual IDE? Perhaps we can assist.

Member Avatar for Necrolis

the is a free vc6 installer for a freeware version on ms' ftp, but i never got it to work...
code::blocks is very nice, so are the new EE editions of the ms products

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

I like VS2008 (VC++ Express) the best. ... and it's backwards-compatible with VC6.

No it isn't backward compatible because VC++ 6.0 did not support the c++ standards very well. Code written with VC++ 6.0 will encounter some porting problems when compiled with VC++ 2005 or newer compilers.

Don't bother trying to get a free version of VC++ 6.0 because it really sucks. VC++ 2008 is a much better compiler, but doesn't include some of the whistles & bells that was in VC++ 6.0, such as MFC.

Member Avatar for Nick Evan

No it isn't backward compatible because VC++ 6.0 did not support the c++ standards very well. Code written with VC++ 6.0 will encounter some porting problems when compiled with VC++ 2005 or newer compilers.

I never had problems with that? Do you mean that some functions have become deprecated, because those warnings are quite easy to solve.
If not: could you post an example if it's not to far off-topic; I'm interested

Member Avatar for marco93

The only professional one is obviously VS (nothing to see with VC++6)
All customers use VS

Member Avatar for kneel

I use Dev C++, it is a friendly IDE.

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

I never had problems with that? Do you mean that some functions have become deprecated, because those warnings are quite easy to solve.
If not: could you post an example if it's not to far off-topic; I'm interested

Here is an example that I encountered. This VC++ 6.0 code snippet will not compile because its non-standard

for(int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
   // do something

if( i == 5)   // <<<< error here because i is undefined but ok in vc++ 6.0
{
   // blabla
}

And if the program uses MFC there have been several MFC changes that might need to be modified (such as CString was changed from a c++ class to a template, which might cause proglems in some programs).

Member Avatar for Kob0724

Eclipse is nice. I really like the plugin system. It made developing for QT really easy.

Member Avatar for Tigran

I used to use Dev-CPP, it's nice....
Though i use VS2005

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Dev-CPP is a good IDE, for beginners anyway, but its lacking a good debugger. VC++ 2005/8 is the most superior ide/compiler/debugger I've ever seen. I have not used Code::Blocks but if its debugger is anything like that of Dev-CPP then it really sucks.

Member Avatar for Manutebecker

I hate VC++, its just such a pain to get going, I perfer Dev C++ for ease of use(though it has a lame debugger)

Member Avatar for Tigran

Well, Manutebecker, that was also the case with me, i thought "wtf you can't even compile single source files, you need to make projects first etc..."
But if you just ignore that pain for a few times, you get used to it in no-time

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