[vtkusers] Compilers on Windows XP

[Mathieu Malaterre]

> 
> > I have previously used VTK, primarily on IRIX systems.  Now I'm
> 
> > starting to use VTK on a Windows XP platform and I'm very uniformed
> 
> > about available C++ compilers.  There seem to be a lot of alternatives
> 
> > with names like "Visual C++ 6.0", "Visual Studio .NET 2003", etc...
> >
> 
> > My question is "What should I buy and where can I get it?"
> 
> 
> Recent evolution of MSC:
> -------------------------------------
>   [pre-1998]
>   Visual C++ 6.0
>   Visual C++ 6.0 / SP 1 [~1998]
>   Visual C++ 6.0 / SP 2 [~1999]
>   Visual C++ 6.0 / SP 3 [~2000]
>   Visual C++ 6.0 / SP 4 [~2000]
>   Visual C++ 6.0 / SP 5 [~2001] <-- High point #1
>   Visual Studio .NET 2002       <-- Not so high
>   Visual Studio .NET 2003       <-- High point #2
> -------------------------------------
> Free to download
>   [Visual C++ 2005 Express Beta]
> Upcomming
>   [Visual Studio 2005]
> 
> 
> Students can buy the (full-strength) academic version for little
> 
> more than the cost of the User Guides and CDs.  Visual C++ 2005
> 
> beta version can be downloaded for free:
> 
> http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/visualc/default.aspx


very nice description. I would also add the free ones:
- borland compiler 
- cygwin + gcc
- mingw

Mathieu