Hi there,

This is probably a dumb question, and sorry if it is, but how and via what programs in Linux can I program Windows programs in C/C++?
Heh, really seems weird wanting to use Linux but program things for Windows PCs, heh, but anyhow - any help on this or would I have to stick to Windows to do this?

Thanks.

the most basic way of doing this is from command line ...
you can use a text editor such as :
vi(m)
pico
nano
emacs
just to name a few .... to code your project

and then you type :
gcc name.c
or
g++ name.cpp

to compile your projects ... the output will be an executable called :
a.out

if you want them to have specific names then type :
gcc name.c -o MyProgram
or
g++ name.cpp -o MyProgram

and in both cases the executable will be of course called MyProgram ...

but if you use GUI apps, then you can have all of the above automated for you ..
some apps include :
Kdevelop
Anjuta
Kate
gvim
xemacs

also, just to name a few ...
hope this points you in the right direction


actually i just re-read what you said ...
and to just clearify something with you, cause i know i am not removing all of what i just typed, even though it may be irrelevant ....
but when you compile these programs in linux, they are not going to run in windows

Dude, that's not possible. Sorry. Why would you wanna any way?

of course it's possible, he just have to compile the final version in windows, but he can code it in linux, especially if using a portable library, ex: wxWindows, GTK ...

Actually you're all wrong
It's entirely possible to code AND compile windows programs in linux. It's easier in QNX though...that has support for cross compiling for multiple operating systems. The Mingw C/++ compiler can be used to compile windows apps IN LINUX and you can even test them on WINE.
Here's a page about how to do it: http://rooster.stanford.edu/~ben/linux/cross.php

DrOzz, thank you - that was very helpful what you posted.
I'm glad you didn't delete the top part of your post, since at least now I know what programs in Linux to use to program things in.

Thanks luxitan, I may do this then.

schatoor - I was wanting to know if it's possible, since I'd very much like to do all of my work in Linux, however am going to do my MEng in Software Engineering and am going to be programming a lot of things for Windows in C and C++.


Thanks all for your help. Much appreciated.

Thanks Komakino for that, that's very helpful.
Much appreciated.

not sure (have seen it wrtten somewhere) but thought I might add that some of the latest Adobe products have been programmed on the Linux Platform.....so *shrugs* sounds interesting dont you think?

qt
kdevelop

<< not sure (have seen it wrtten somewhere) but thought I might add that some of the latest Adobe products have been programmed on the Linux Platform.....so *shrugs* sounds interesting dont you think? >>

Cool. That sounds really great.


Komakino, what is QNX? You say it's easier to do it in that, however then you go and advise to use Mingw, is it the same?

Thanks for those two macewan.