What was Zafehouse coded in?

[Coded One]

I've just gotten into some C++ programming, and was wondering what Zafehouse was programmed in. I'm talking like what IDE did you use?

I'm pretty sure it was mentioned somewhere, but I searched the forums and didn't find it, and I couldn't find it on the blog.

Just wondering.

[LoganB]

Hey Coded One,

Zafehouse was coded in Visual Basic 2008 Express. You can download it free from: http://www.microsoft.com/express/vb/Default.aspx

Microsoft also offers free IDEs and compliers for C# and C++. They're both available from the link above with a bit of hunting.

[Coded One]

Wow... Visual Basic?

I started using Dev-C++ (from Bloodshed Software) to begin coding in C, but I then switched over to Visual Studio. I know that Visual Studio supports C++, C#, Visual Basic .NET, Python and others.

I haven't tried to code in Basic though, how does it compare to C? I mean, other than being simpler to learn.

EDIT: Wait a minute, I was just checking out that website, is Visual Basic totally free? Or is it just a free version?

[LoganB]

I should mention that it's Visual Basic .NET, not VB6, which is what you're probably thinking of.

Except for some minor differences, programs coded in VB .NET and C# .NET compile to the same byte code and use the same libraries. So these days, choice of language (at least for .NET) is more about which one you're more comfortable using, rather than power or features. I came from a VB background rather than a C one, so VB .NET was the natural choice. At work, I do most of my coding in C#.

My only regret is that .NET is not very portable, which makes Zafehouse, and a lot of the other programs I write, Windows-only. I've tried compiling them in Mono, but to no avail.

The Express Editions of Microsoft's IDEs are completely free. You can even make commercial applications with them. You just lose a lot of features, but nothing that should hamper the hobby or even semi-hobby developer.

[Coded One]

I notice that Visual Basic, Visual C#, and Visual C++ all have express versions, is Visual Studio just all these in one package?

Also, can you get the software for free if you're a student? I know that I was able to get an old version of Word for free because I'm a student...

Sorry for the tons of questions, but Dev-C++ is just really limited and I'm trying to find a good IDE.

[LoganB]

The Visual Studio DVD comes with an IDE that supports those languages. When you install VS, you then select which ones you'd like to install compilers and what not for.

The differences between VS and the Express Editions are things like proper source control, conditional breakpoints, release/debug settings, etc. As I said, nothing critical, just features that are time-saving and convenient.

I'm not sure if there's an Academic version of Visual Studio (which would be reduced cost, not free), but you're free to grab all the versions of the Express stuff and run them side-by-side. It's pretty much the same thing, and won't cost you a cent.

If you're still curious, I'd suggest checking out the FAQ: http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/faq/. It does a decent job of summarising the differences between VS and the Express Editions.

[Coded One]

I just tried Visual C++, I don't know what the deal was, but code that ran perfect in Dev-C++ gave me so much trouble in Visual. Is there some whacky way that it handles header files? Because it wasn't recognizing any strings, ints, or really anything that I was putting into it. Also, it kept saying I was referencing unrecognized headers.

So I would put in the standard #include <strings> and #include <iostream> but any code that used them wasn't recognized. I'm sure it was just user error (albeit due to a really stupid system to handle standard header files).

I'm not sure if you have a lot of experience with Visual C++, but I'll just be using Dev-C++ till I figure this out.

EDIT: Nevermind, I got it. Surprisingly, the problem wasn't in between the keyboard and chair as previously thought. I just reinstalled it and it worked fine...