C/C++ Compilers. Most serious game developers program in C or C++. Some program in C and call it C++. All the compilers listed here will generate C or C++ code.

C++ is a very powerful language, but it comes with a steep learning curve. If you are just getting started with programming, you may want to tackle one of the other languages first. Many programmers start with Delphi or Visual Basic and work their way up to C++.

Fastgraph supports all these compilers. Click here for books about C and C++.

Need a FREE compiler? Try this.

Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0

Advantages:
• This is an industry standard compiler.
• Especially good for large projects involving teams of developers.
• Includes everything you can possibly think of.
• The only compiler that works with the Fastgraph MFC AppWizard.

Disadvantages:
• It's really, really huge. It will easily eat up >200 mb of hard disk space.
• It's difficult to learn and unwieldy to use.
• It makes lots of stupid directories all over the place whether you want it to or not.

Turbo C++ Suite v1.0

Advantages:
• A good learning tool.
• Clean and straight forward.
• Powerful and affordable.
• Supports Windows and DOS. Great for quick and dirty DOS programs.
• Also includes C++Builder 1.0. Great!

Disadvantages:
• Uses older technology, so it is a bit behind the industry standard.

C++ Builder V5.0 Standard for Win95/98/NT/2000

Advantages:
• Affordable and powerful.
• Writes a lot of code for you.
• Point and click to add components like list boxes, edit boxes, etc.
• Standard, Professional and Enterprise editions mean you don't pay for features you don't want.
• This is a GREAT compiler!

Disadvantages:
• Win32 only
• The component code is not cross-compiler compatible.

C++ Builder V5.0 Professional for Win95/98/NT/2000

Advantages:
• Same as the standard edition, but with more features.
• Cheaper than the Enterprise edition.
• This (or the Enterprise edition) would be my compiler of choice.
• EXCELLENT compiler.

Disadvantages:
• More expensive than the standard edition.
• I use the Enterprise Edition myself, which is even more expensive. I don't use half the features in it. (I don't even know what some of them do).

Windows CE Tool Kit for Visual C++ v6.0

Advantages:
• This is what you need to develop Windows CE programs. It's really your only choice.

Disadvantages:
• You have to use it with Visual C++.
• It's Microsoft, so it's a monopoly.
• Requires Windows NT for CE emulation.
• Fastgraph for Windows CE is not currently available. (We were working on it but we decided there wasn't a market for it).

Advantages:
• It's not Borland and it's not Microsoft.
• I used it for years. It worked great.
• Best choice for 32-bit protected mode DOS.

Disadvantages:
• Dead technology. Sybase bought Powersoft and discontinued this compiler. You can still get it from Grey Matter in the U.K., but there will be no new versions.

Other Languages. Knowing more than one language is a valuable career asset. Since you will want to learn Delphi or Visual Basic eventually, why not learn them first? The syntax is easier to understand, and you will get on your feet faster. All of these compilers are very powerful and will generate fast, efficient code. If you are new to programming, any of these compilers would be a good choice.

Fastgraph supports all these compilers except the Java compilers. Click here for books about Delphi or here for books about Visual Basic.

Borland Delphi 5 Standard for Windows 95/98/NT

Advantages:
• Based on the Pascal language, which is very nice.
• Lots of drag and drop componets, like in C++Builder.
• Delphi for Linux is in the works.
• Affordable! An excellent choice.

Disadvantages:
• It's not C++.
• I can't really think of any other disadvantages. This is a really great compiler.

Borland Delphi 5 Professional for Windows 95/98/NT

Advantages:
• Same as the Standard Edition, but with more features.
• Many companies use this compiler. There are many Delphi jobs available.
• An excellent choice.

Disadvantages:
• More expensive than the Standard Edition, but cheaper than the Enterprise Edition.

Visual Basic Learning Ed v6.0 Windows Online

Advantages:
• Basic is supposedly an easy language to learn.
• Drag and drop programming means the compiler writes code for you.
• Plenty of books available.
• Affordable.

Disadvantages:
• Instant indoctrination into the Microsoft way of doing things (ActiveX, MSDN, etc.) That's not necessarily bad, but it's all Microsoft.
• People don't really take Basic programmers seriously.

PowerBASIC DLL Compiler

Advantages:
• PowerBASIC programs are up to 2300% faster than VB
• Smaller than VB programs too!
• Great service and support.
• It's not Microsoft.

Disadvantages:
• No disadvantages. Try it!

Java Workshop

Advantages:
• Affordable.
• It comes from Sun Microsystems, which owns the Java technology, and is a cool company in general.
• It's not Microsoft.
• Generates 100% pure Java code, which means it is cross-platform compatible.

Disadvantages:
• It's not free. (You can get a free Java SDK from Sun at http://www.java.sun.com).

Jbuilder V3.0 Standard for Win95/98/NT

Advantages:
• Another excellent Borland compiler.
• There is also a Linux version available.
• Professional and Enterprise versions available at additional cost.

Disadvantages:
• I found it a bit tricky to get started with.