Free C++ compiler to use with DirectX 9

To link in DX, first you need the SDK installed somewhere. Inside the SDK folder, there should be two more folders named /include and /lib. You'll need to add these folders into your compiler's directories:Tools > Options > Directories > Show Directories for: Include filesAdd a new entry for the /include folder.Show Directories for: Library files.Now add one for the /lib folder.That will tell MSVS where to look for the stuff, but you'll need to link in the DX libraries to every project you make (you only need to do the above once per IDE). To do this:Project > Settings > Link > Object Library Modulestype "d3d8.lib d3dx8.lib" into the corresponding textbox, preferably at the very beginning. That'll tell your linker to link in the libraries.And then you're good. Don't forget to #include both <d3d8.h> and <d3dx8.h>