-Ronald
Borland Vs. Microsoft
Started by Anonymous Poster_Anonymous Poster_*, Aug 09 1999 07:34 AM
5 replies to this topic
#1 Anonymous Poster_Anonymous Poster_* Guests - Reputation:
Posted 09 August 1999 - 07:34 AM
My question concerns compilers. Which is best geared towards game programming? Borland C++ or Visual C++. Most of the books (Windows Game Programming for Dummies, etc...) require Visual C++; however, I'm relatively young and I have no source of income. I've seen Borland C++ selling cheaper. So which one should I look into. Also, which version should I get? Thanx
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#2 Members - Reputation: 162
Posted 08 August 1999 - 03:30 PM
Well if you goto www.ebay.com & type in Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 I know you can find it for about $40 or less. I'm not sure how much borland is, but I'm sure unless you also find it on Ebay that it's going to be more money.
#3 Members - Reputation: 739
Posted 09 August 1999 - 04:12 AM
I'm not sure about game companies, but most of the companies that write business applications seem to prefer and use MSVC++ (I interviewed with several about a year ago and all of them used MSVC++), and they like it if you have experience using it.
I know that doesn't really answer your question, but it is something to think about...
I know that doesn't really answer your question, but it is something to think about...
[This message has been edited by felisandria (edited August 09, 1999).]
#4 Senior Staff - Reputation: 2291
Posted 09 August 1999 - 05:50 AM
MSVC++ is pretty much the standard now for game development. If you are a student, you can pick it up at academic pricing for about $60. There is also a book from Microsoft Press called "Learn Visual C++ Now" (or something like that) that includes MSVC++ on the companion CD.
#5 Members - Reputation: 586
Posted 09 August 1999 - 06:37 AM
As far as Windows programming goes, I'd have trouble recommending Borland to anyone for one simple reason--VC is made by Microsoft, and so is DirectX. I don't know whether this still happens, but I can remember when DirectX (Game SDK) first came out there were a lot of problems getting it to work with Borland. Microsoft seems to include Borland libraries these days, but I'd much rather take the safest route and get the product DirectX was designed to work with.
#6 Anonymous Poster_Anonymous Poster_* Guests - Reputation:
Posted 09 August 1999 - 07:34 AM
Both Visual C++ and Borland C++ Builder have cheap versions as well as expensive ones (though Visual C++ tops out at around $1000 while Borland tops out at $2500). Borland is better for developing GUI applications. There is much more support for Visual C++ right now, but Microsoft has invested heavily in Borland just recently to help them to keep developing a great compiler. I'd say shoot for Visual C++ and pick up Beginning Visual C++ 6 by Wrox Press to get you started. You should be able to by the simplest versions of both at Best Buy or, if you're a student, pick them up academically priced for much cheaper. If you can get them accedamically you may want to get a better versions since the performance of whatever you write will be better optimized.
