C & Visual Express 2008?

[-Observer-]

Can someone please explain to me in basic steps how to I get started with programming with C in Visual Express 2008. Do I use the C++ program to program with C, and if so what are the steps to get me started?

What other IDE's for Vista 64 do you recommend for C?

[alsenior]

the c++ version should be okay for learning c. thought the syntax may be slightly different.

[-Observer-]

But when I type code in C using C++ Visual Express I get compilation errors...

Does that mean I can't use C syntax in C++? If so where can I use C syntax?

[alsenior]

you could try using notepad++ to write it.

http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm

i don't know where you could get a complier from though.

[McClane]

I had this problem! Start an empty c++ project and then go to the Project menu and select the properties option. Then navigate to Configuration Properties > C/C++ > Advanced. Under here you should see the "Compile As" option. Choose "Compile as C Code (/TC)". That should fix it

EDIT:
If you go the notepad route (I used notepad2 myself) you can get the GCC compiler by downloading Cygwin. Bit of a pain to setup the first time you use it (you need to select all the packages you want to download) but once you've set it up it's like having a linux command line on windows

Alternatively you could try Dev C++

[-Observer-]

Thanks for your reply guys.

McClane, I tried your instructions for the Visual C++ but I can't seem to see the C/C++ options when I create an Empty Project, even when creating a Win32 Project and choosing 'Empty Project' under 'Additional Options'.

Dev C++ worked fine, but I had to use "system("PAUSE")" command to stop making my screen flash too quickly upon running my program.

I've yet to try Cygwin, but I think I might do as I'm too used to using a Linux terminal and good old EMACS.

[McClane]

It seems you have to create an empty project and then either add in an existing C source file or go to Project > New Item. Then you need to choose the C++ file but when you name it give it the extension ".c". When I did this it seemed to automatically set the compiler to C. Although I guess it's best to double check. Hope this works