Installing a supported compiler

2005-03-23T15:58:13Z

201.11.97.181: /* Downloading the GNU GCC compiler & GDB debugger */

Currently supported compilers, at the time of this writing are:
* [http://gcc.gnu.org/ GNU GCC] (Linux)
* [http://www.mingw.org MinGW GCC] (Win32)
* [http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003 Microsoft's Visual C++ Free Toolkit 2003] (Win32)
* [http://www.borland.com/products/downloads/download_cbuilder.html# Borland's C++ Compiler 5.5] (Win32)
* [http://www.digitalmars.com/ DigitalMars] (Win32)

When you launch Code::Blocks for the first time, it will scan the system for any supported compilers (it takes virtually no time). After this scan completes, Code::Blocks will have been configured for the found compiler(s). Code::Blocks will also be configured even for compilers that were not found (default installation settings will be used for each of those compilers).

For more info on how to download and install each of the above compilers, please read on.

=== Downloading the GNU GCC compiler & GDB debugger ===

If you are working under linux:
Under Linux you'll, most probably, already have everything that is needed in order to compile. All major Linux distributions (RedHat, Debian, SuSE, Mandrake, Gentoo, ArchLinux, etc) come with GCC & GDB preinstalled. To make sure you have have gcc installed, go to your terminal and type 'gcc -v'. In case you have GCC installed, you will get GCC's compile options and version number.

If you are working under Windows:
Go to MinGW's [http://www.mingw.org/download.shtml downloads] page and download the file named <code>MinGW-x.y.z.exe</code>, where x, y and z are version numbers. At the time of this writing, this file is <code>MinGW-3.1.0-1.exe</code>. If you consider yourself lucky, you might also try <code>MinGW-3.2.0-rc-3.exe</code>. It's not a stable release yet, but it works and lacks some bugs the older version has.
These setup files contain everything needed to compile and debug windows programs.

=== Downloading the Microsoft Visual C++ Free Toolkit 2003 ===

Go to this [http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003 MSDN site] and click on the link labeled "Download the Visual C++ Toolkit 2003". This will download the setup file.

NOTE: ''This download is <u>not sufficient</u> for building windows programs. You will also have to download and install the [http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/platformsdk/instmsi.htm Microsoft Platform SDK]''...

=== Downloading the Borland C++ Compiler 5.5 ===

NOTE: ''At some point, you will be asked to register with Borland and fill out a survey. Registration is free.''

Go to [http://www.borland.com/products/downloads/download_cbuilder.html# Borland's downloads] and click on the link labeled "Compiler". After you accept the license agreement, you will be provided with download links to the setup file.

=== Downloading the Digital Mars Free Compiler ===

NOTE: ''Code::Blocks support for DigitalMars was added in 1.0-beta6.''

Go to [http://www.digitalmars.com/download/dmcpp.html DigitalMars]. Accept the license agreement and you 'll be redirected to a page containing download links. Download the compiler (current version is 8.41). You might also want to download the resource compiler (in basic utilities), as well as the STLport.

=== Compiler-neutral setup steps ===

Now that you have downloaded the setup file of the compiler of your choice, launch its installation by double-clicking on the setup file. The actual installation process is really simple. Just press "Next" all the way and you 're done.

If you installed the compiler on its default installation directory, there is nothing more to configure. Launch Code::Blocks and you 're all set :)

If that is not the case, launch Code::Blocks. If it is the first time you launch it, the compiler auto-detection will be launched.
If your compiler was not auto-detected, go to "Settings/Configure plugins/Compiler", select the compiler you installed, switch to the "Programs" page and press "Auto-detect".
If you get a message saying that the compiler was auto-detected, congratulations!
If not, then press the button with the three dots next to the "Auto-detect" button and select the installation directory of your compiler manually.

NOTE: ''The compiler's installation directory is exactly this: the installation directory. Not the "bin" subdirectory nor any other.''

FAQ

2005-03-23T15:49:26Z

201.11.97.181: /* What compiler can I use with Code::Blocks? */

(Stolderized from [https://www.codeblocks.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=FAQ&file=index&myfaq=yes&id_cat=1 here])

= General =

== Is it possible to integrate the win32-help as in dev-cpp, to get help on the items under the caret? ==

Integration of the win32 API helpfile should be a no-brainer. Someone could just write a really simple plugin and, upon invocation (through a shortcut possibly), look at the word under the cursor and invoke windows help... If you think you 're up to the task, I can help you with all the info you need. If not, I could write it myself but no promises on a release date ;)

== Launching for the first time, Code::Blocks tells me I need to install GNU make. Is this necessary on a Windows system? ==

Since version 1.0-beta5, no it is not. Code::Blocks works with GNU "make" [http://www.mingw.org/download.shtml (here)] or without it (default). To choose the build method, go to "Project/Build options", switch to the "Other" tab and select the build method you prefer.

== What licence is Code::Blocks released under? ==

GNU General Public License 2 ([http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.txt GPL])

= Compiling =

== What compiler can I use with Code::Blocks? ==

Code::Blocks philosophy is to be able to use any compiler on earth! Well, almost.

As a matter of fact it largely depends on the used compiler plugin. The one provided with the default Code::Blocks installation, supports GNU GCC (MinGW/Cygwin), MS Visual C++ Free Toolkit 2003, Borland's C++ Compiler 5.5 and DigitalMars Free Compiler.

== I 'm using gcc compiler from an existing dev-cpp installation. How can I make it work? ==

You need to take two steps. First, set the compiler master path to the dev-cpp folder. It's under "Settings/Configure plugins/Compiler" in the "Programs" tab...
Second, you have to add two additional compiler (include) dirs. Go to "Settings/Configure plugins/Compiler" and in the "Compiler dirs" tab add "dev-cpp\include\c++" and "dev-cpp\include\c++\mingw32" (substituting "dev-cpp" with the actual dev-cpp installation folder).

== I just installed Code::Blocks Beta4 and I can't compile anything with BCC. ==

BCC is not supported 100% yet, unfortunately... The next release (namely 1.0-beta6) should address all BCC issues.

== My project should be compiled with a custom makefile. Is it possible with Code::Blocks? ==

Yes, as of version 1.0-beta4 it is supported. Go to project options and you 'll notice a "Custom Makefile" checkbox. If you check this, Code::Blocks will not create another Makefile for compiling but instead always use this Makefile. You have to understand, though, that it is your sole responsibility to keep this Makefile up to date.
Also make sure that "GNU make" is the selected build method for the specific compiler.

== I have downloaded MS VC++ Toolkit 2003 for a compiler. How do I tell Code::Blocks that it is my compiler? ==

Click on "Project/Build options" and select the compiler you want for your project/target.

Code::Blocks - User contributions [en]

Installing a supported compiler

FAQ