C++ compilers: which is your favorite?

Question

Hello
I would like to ask you which is your favorite C++ compiler and why?
And for you which is the best one free/open source (I used only G++ and I trying Open Watcom) under Linux or under Windows?
Thanks

Answer 1

My company only uses gcc, since we have to run our products on a variety of systems, and gcc is the most portable compiler in existence, but clang/llvm is now giving gcc new and unexpected competition on its own turf.



My favorite right now is gcc 4.6, which I download after every new alpha build, because it supports the most of the new C++ draft standard and the support is visibly improving every month. MSVC 2010 is the surprising second, for the same reason -- back when it was released earlier this year, they were more or less on par with gcc 4.5.

Answer 2

I personally find like to use an IDE rather than an individual compiler, debugger, ect. I currently am using code blocks and i don't have any complaints. The thing that i like about codeblocks is that it can be used on linux or windows, and since i have a dual boot computer that means i can use the same program on both partitions, unlike visual studio which will only work with windows. But as for individual compilers i have always just used an IDE, i find it a lot easier.

Answer 3

GNU GCC is free (as in freedom), which means it works on all Unix-like (including Linux) operating systems. It has been ported to MinGW (by providing native libraries), or CygWin (by emulating Linux executables), both of which can run on Unix-like operating systems to cross-compile, or on Windows, to compile directly.



VC++ uses cl.exe, M$'s implementation. It isn't bad, and does its job, but it doesn't come close to the power of GNU GCC.

Answer 4

For a completely integrated environment and simplicity of use -- no question, seen C++ (sure, it does C to boot). For code era (on desktops): Intel's unfastened compiler. It makes tight, fantastically optimized code that doesn't desire virtually as plenty tweaking as Microsoft's does.

Answer 5

GNU GCC [Linux]

=

MinGW [Windows]