Member Avatar for cwarn23

I have found a program and tried using 'DEV C++' but it only reported an error report. I later then discovered that is was because 'DEV C++' used C++ when the code was designed for just plane C. I have searched the web and this forum but only found two relevant threads from this forum (as shown below):
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33446&highlight=c+compiler
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45333&highlight=c+compiler
However, this still does not answer my question. And that is where to find a FREE or cheap compiler which compiles only 'C' code and not C++.

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A few clarifications and practical fixes that address the actual problem raised in this thread.

The reported failure is almost always a makefile parsing issue, not a limitation of the compiler. Dev-C++ (and MinGW/GCC) will compile plain C if the source files are .c and the gcc driver is used. The common cause of the "multiple target patterns" symptom is unescaped spaces or misplaced quotes in target/prerequisite lines (for example when a path under Program Files is inserted directly into a target). Quotes are fine inside command recipes but tend to break make when placed around target names or prerequisites.

Practical steps to resolve the build:

  • Move the project to a path with no spaces (for example C:\projects\encoder) or use the Windows short-name (Progra~1) so make sees no embedded spaces.

  • Edit the makefile so targets/prereqs do not contain unquoted spaces. Define a directory variable and use it in targets; keep any quoting to the command lines only. Example pattern:

    SRCDIR = D:/Progra~1/Dev-Cpp/Templates
OBJ = $(SRCDIR)/encoder.o encoder7_private.res

encoder7.exe: $(OBJ)
  gcc -o $@ $(OBJ) -L"D:/Progra~1/Dev-Cpp/lib" -mwindows

  • For a quick sanity check, try compiling the C file directly from a command prompt with gcc -std=c99 -Wall -O2 -c encoder.c and, if present, compile resources with windres, then link with gcc so the minimal build path is visible and easier to debug.

Also verify the project README/INSTALL for required toolchain pieces: if the source expects MSVC-specific project files, assembler (nasm) or compiler-specific pragmas, a straight MinGW build may require code changes or the matching toolchain. In this thread , and pointed toward those possibilities; later reported success with a Windows-oriented C toolchain. These diagnostic steps isolate makefile/path issues first, then toolchain mismatches second.

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Member Avatar for hollystyles

DEV C++ compiles C or C++ just fine. What is the reported error ?

The links you posted give me a 404 page not found error.

Member Avatar for cwarn23

Below is the error:
# Project: Project1
# Makefile created by Dev-C++

CPP = g++.exe -D__DEBUG__
CC = gcc.exe -D__DEBUG__
WINDRES = windres.exe
RES = encoder7_private.res
OBJ = "D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/Templates/encoder.o" $(RES)
LINKOBJ = "D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/Templates/encoder.o" $(RES)
LIBS = -L"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/lib" -mwindows
INCS = -I"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/include"
CXXINCS = -I"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/include/c++" -I"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/include/c++/mingw32" -I"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/include/c++/backward" -I"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/include"
BIN = encoder7.exe
CXXFLAGS = $(CXXINCS) -ansi -traditional-cpp -w -fdollar-in-identifiers -g3
CFLAGS = $(INCS) -ansi -traditional-cpp -w -fdollar-in-identifiers -g3

.PHONY: all all-before all-after clean clean-custom

all: all-before encoder7.exe all-after


clean: clean-custom
rm -f $(OBJ) $(BIN)

$(BIN): $(LINKOBJ)
$(CPP) $(LINKOBJ) -o "encoder7.exe" $(LIBS)

"D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/Templates/encoder.o": D:/Program\ Files/Dev-Cpp/Templates/encoder.c
$(CC) -c "D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/Templates/encoder.c" -o "D:/Program Files/Dev-Cpp/Templates/encoder.o" $(CFLAGS)

encoder7_private.res: encoder7_
$(WINDRES) -i encoder7_ -I rc -o encoder7_private.res -O coff

------------------------------
and it says [Build Error] multiple target patterns. And for the links above (which I have just checked, the way to get to the is be searching this forum for 'c compiler' (in threads) and they are in the first 3 pages.

Member Avatar for cwarn23

One of the things that Dev C++ gets mixed up with is when you use a code like:
#include "../encoder.h"
It gets mixed up with the .h

Member Avatar for hollystyles

Ok I'm not too sure. But this might have something to do with dependancy. Is there more than 1 makefile in your download?

One of Dev-C++ shortfalls is it can't compile multiple projects all at once. You have to compile them one at a time, and you have to know manually in which order to build them.

Member Avatar for Member #46692

What!? just save the file as something.c and hit the compile button. Job done.

commented: That's all it takes :) +11
Member Avatar for cwarn23

The thing is, the source code did not come with a make file and I think dev C++ is having trouble making it. Below is the link to the source code (and I hope this link works).
http://www.xvid.org/Downloads.43.0.html?&tx_quickpoll_pi1[go]=savevote#c25
So now I am trying to contact technical support for this source code to see what compiler they recommend.

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

read the INSTALL file and it will tell you that they used VC++ 6 and NASM assembler.

2.a/ Requirements.
------------------

- MS VisualDev 6 Processor Pack 5 or MS VisualDev 7
- nasm installed as 'nasm' in the msvc binary search paths.

Member Avatar for ChaseVoid

Well if you want a simple command line compiler then you can go for DJGPP It'll work good too.

Member Avatar for cwarn23

Thanks for the compilers. I think I will be able to take it on from here. And I have found that Pelles C is a good compiler.

*Solved*

Member Avatar for Kocmotex

I have found a program and tried using 'DEV C++' but it only reported an error report. I later then discovered that is was because 'DEV C++' used C++ when the code was designed for just plane C. I have searched the web and this forum but only found two relevant threads from this forum (as shown below):
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread33446.html&highlight=c+compiler
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread45333.html&highlight=c+compiler
However, this still does not answer my question. And that is where to find a FREE or cheap compiler which compiles only 'C' code and not C++.

cwarn23, you might look at LLC-Win32, which is free for PERSONAL use, or try Pelles, which is totally free. I have been using LLC-Win32 to learn C, using Gookin's C for Dummies (6 books in one). However, Gookin uses the Linux C compiler and I have run into problems with the implementation of subroutines (bad word, functions or procedures in C). I intend to try to use the Pelles C Compiler. However, the LLC-Win32 does have some good documentation. Google for these or go to http://www.thefreecountry.com/
Best of luck
Kocmotex

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