From:	Dave Pearson <davep AT hagbard DOT demon DOT co DOT uk>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject:	Re: Is DJGPP just as good as Borland C++
Date:	Fri, 17 Jan 1997 14:10:24 GMT
Organization:	Hagbard's World (A Private Internet Host)
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Sender:	usenet AT hagbard DOT demon DOT co DOT uk
Message-ID:	<slrn5dv22d.bpd.davep@hagbard.demon.co.uk>
References:	<2 DOT 2 DOT 32 DOT 19970115182745 DOT 00699090 AT delilah>
To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
DJ-Gateway:	from newsgroup comp.os.msdos.djgpp

Alan Wilson <alan DOT wilson AT wilshire DOT com> wrote:

> But what I want to know is should I go out and buy a compiler like
> Borland C++ or will DJGPP be all I need to learn C++
> proficiently(along with a couple of books)?  I heard that this is
> one of the best compilers out there and that's not just because it's
> free(although I do like that!).  

I started learning C many years ago with MSC, then I moved to Turbo C
and then onto Borland C++ (and thus getting into C++). These days, 99%
of the C and C++ code I write is compiled using either DJGPP for Dos,
EMX for OS/2 and GCC for Linux (which, in effect, are all the same
thing).

Personally, I find that DJGPP (and the other ports of GCC) are very
good compilers, and I've yet to find any real problems with them.  In
fact, I'd say that if you are just learning C++, starting with DJGPP
is a very good idea. I had to un-learn a number of bad habits after
years of MS and Borland compilers.

> I also heard that Rhide is a good companion.  Is it really??  Also
> are there any other companion add-ons or tools that are out there,
> free or otherwise, that will help me learn C++.

I've got Rhide installed, but personally I find it too restrictive.
That's not to say there is anything wrong with Rhide, it's just that I
don't like it becase the environment isn't portable. I find that the
NT/Win95 port of Emacs does everything I need, and it means I can use
exactly the same development environment on Win/Dos, OS/2 and Linux.

It's all down to personal choice. My advice would be to grab Rhide and
try it, also grab Emacs and try that. Also, try out anything else you
fancy the look of or currently use. As with many of these things, the
first environment you use, or even the most popular environment of
the moment, isn't necessarily going to be the best one for you.

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