So, I am slowly learning that my Borland Compiler just isn''t going to cut it with DirectX programming. I would like to make the switch to MSVC++, but I was wondering what the difference between the Professional and Standard editions would be. Professional is quite expensive, and I would like to know if there is a big difference for programming DX between these two.

The professional edition has a couple more things than the Standard edition, but otherwise it is the same. It has a Profiler (identify bottlenecks in your code), a (not so good, but better than nothing) code optimizer, and some other tools for debuging Windows programs.

Nothing big, but the tools it gives you decent when you find a use for them. BTW: The newer versions of Borland work ok with DirectX, Microsoft just makes it difficult for Borland users . Instead of buying a new compiler, just try OpenGL, that''s why I was "driven" to because my old copy of Borland couldn''t do the newer DirectX stuff. I actually like OpenGL more now, and use it in MSVC also (now that I broke down and got a copy of it).

"Finger to spiritual emptiness underlying everything." -- How a C manual referred to a "pointer to void." --Things People Said

http://www.gdarchive.net/druidgames/

Also, that''s only a suggestion, you don''t have to listen to me or anything, heh. If you don''t like OpenGL, well, that''s your personal opinion, I don''t want to start a flame war here between OpenGL and DirectX users.

"Finger to spiritual emptiness underlying everything." -- How a C manual referred to a "pointer to void." --Things People Said

http://www.gdarchive.net/druidgames/

You don''t need to include any .lib files in your project if you find that they are giving your problems. Just use CoCreateInstance and ISomethingOrOther->Initialize instead of the DirectDrawCreate and related functions. As long as your compiler can understand the header files, this method should work fine.

If you are simply referring to MSVC''s debugging features (multi-monitor and remote debugging) as a reason to switch compilers, I can tell you that they are useful but it''s easier to build your app so that it runs in windowed mode and then you can debug it like a normal Windows app. With multi-monitor debugging you can''t use your mouse in the debugger, and I''ve heard that remote debugging is slow.

I just heard a lot of people saying that Borland didn''t work too well with DX. Then, I got DX8 and they didn''t include a seperate Borland library folder like the previous versions, and none of my programs would compile after that... So I figured I probably had to get VC++. I would love to try OpenGL, but I am just starting out with programming, so I would prefer to stick with DX until I get the hang of it before I try anything else. I have Borland''s C++Builder 5, so I suppose I shouldn''t have a problem with having a recent version. I will try to directly use the com stuff and see how that works (not having to buy another compiler at all would be even better than paying for the standard edition of MSVC ).

and by the way, how do you guys include the icons in your messages?

At Staples, I found Visual C++ Standard for $100 and Visual BASIC Professional for $250. What store (not online) has Visual C++ Professional?

Then again, what do I really care? I don''t have a whole lot of use for those extra tools. I have VC++ Introductory, (actually have two copies of it because I bought two books that both come with it) but you can''t release anything. Whenever I compile and execute a program, this annoying window pops up saying that. It''ll be a while before I''ll need to get the Standard Edition to start releasing stuff, but I''d like to have it once I''m ready.

You can get rid of that pop up window with a little bit of hex editing (just place a jump right before the API call to after it, or remove it altogether). The problem is that you have to do it every single time, heh.

"Finger to spiritual emptiness underlying everything." -- How a C manual referred to a "pointer to void." --Things People Said

http://www.gdarchive.net/druidgames/

If you are a student you can get VC professional AE for ~75$.


Mike

Hey, that''s the best news I''ve heard yet... How do I go about doing that? (I already looked in the school store, they don''t have it...)