C++

Compilers

At the moment, at least, it seems to be necessary to use the Sun CC compiler rather than g++ when compiling Orbix applications, but information on other available C++ compilers is provided here for general use.

• Sun C++ (CC on CSLab Sun Unix machines), information to be supplied.
• GNU C++ (g++), version 2.8.1, available on CSLAB and RCS systems. If you want to install it on a Windows PC, visit the GCC web page at MIT.

  Strengths: Supports most template features and has a good version of the standard library, including SGI STL, which is one of the best STL versions. Free. Source code is available for both the compiler and the library.

  Weaknesses: Doesn't support namespaces (it will accept but ignore a using namespace declaration). Poor optimization. Produces bloated executable files.

• egcs, version egcs-2.91.57 19980901 (egcs-1.1 release), is available on CSLAB computers:

    /usr/local/egcs/bin/g++
  

  According to the egcs project home page, "egcs is an experimental step in the development of GCC, the GNU C compiler" (but it also compiles C++). It is free.
• MS VC++, version 5.0 or 6.0. See the MICO section for discussion of using either version of this compiler with MICO. If you stick with version 5.0, you'll need to install Service Pack 3.

  When using STL components with this compiler you frequently get compile-time warning messages

    C4786: symbol greater than 255 characters
  

  This refers to internally-generated symbols that are used in the debugger. Such symbols longer than 255 characters are truncated, which may cause confusion when debugging, but otherwise they are not a problem. To shut off the annoying warning messages, include the following line in your source program:

  #pragma warning (disable : 4786)
  

• ...(if you have information on any of the above or other compilers, please send me email)

WWW resources

• The home page of Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of C++.
• C++ Moderated Newsgroup: comp.lang.c++.moderated
• The C++ Standard: a press release about the final, official standard, which is available now for purchase in either electronic ($18) or hardcopy form ($175). An earlier draft is available online in hyperlinked form. If you have a PC and want to have (this earlier draft of) the standard on it in hyperlinked or other formats, you can download it from The University of Warwick. [Note: don't attempt to print out the standard unless you have your own printer and paper--it's over 700 pages.]
• The C++ FAQ
• The Dinkum C++ Library Reference (including a complete online STL reference manual, but also covering other important parts of the library such as the string class).
• Silicon Graphics STL (including a complete online STL reference manual)
• STL Newbie Guide
• Yahoo Index on C and C++