Hi
Well, it finally happened. I'm looking for a decent, free C/C++ IDE for a Windows platform. I've resisted going down this path, but I need to parse and extend a large XML file, and I think for what I want to do (clone sections with, for example, changes to values and labels), dusting off my rusty C skills will be my best path forward. I could, I suppose, do it in a VBA extension of Excel, but. Shudder.
Suggestions of things like grep don't interest me, because of the modification angle. I fully expect to have to read a line, parse all the content, modify several components based on an input list of changes, and write the line back. I don't expect to be able to write a script for that.
Any suggestions? Should I just grab the borg's Visual Studio? Suggestions of other avenues are welcome.
Background - I started in machine and assembly, moved to C for a few years, then went down other career paths. So I'm not a noob, but I expect this is going to be painful. Prior to retiring, I'd have pulled this into an XML parser in LabVIEW, but that tool is gone from my inventory.
Thanks, folks, for any suggestions.
May I suggest you look into Python for your PC. Last August I wrote a Python program to change a .CSV file from Xcell to a text tile, .TXT, for word processing. Much selection, modifying, sorting portions of the file and adding text to the result. The end was a roster for an amateur radio net organization.
I had looked a bit into Python 5 years ago and had an old text book with out of date examples, but got it done and has been working for 6 months, now.
I looked at Python, then again when you suggested it just now, but I'm afraid for occasional use, I'll be relearning a new context every time. I don't think I have enough hair left... Since I'm already in Arduino land, I figured C/C++ would be more comfortable, esp. given my background.
Thanks @Paul_KD7HB , @jremington
I think "Turbo C" and any non-IDE compilers are perfect for learning C. The whole "project, environment, size" setup is daunting for the non-IDE user (not Arduino IDE, which is not so "I" or "E"). My favorite is Linux, with its gcc command line with gedit all ready to highlight my code. Advanced users can have a field day with gcc parameters, and novices can simply "compile" their a.out. And, when stuck with a Windows system, I go on-line and head for onlinegdb.com which does my bidding with instant results.
are you familiar with cygwin? it's a set of tools that provides a linux-like environment on a Windows PC. it doesn't include an IDE; some consider Unix/Linux a programming environment. you can presumably install something like Eclipse, otherwise use multiple shell windows
while a basic set of tools is selected by default, a plethora of tools are available: different editors, compilers, interpreters, graphics, git, .... there are ~30 categories. run the install and take a look at the categories. you can abort without installing