Programming utilities for Windows

Hello,

I am interested in creating small programs that would do Calculus problems for me. Does anyone know of a good compiler or editor to use?

-tom

What language are you programing in?

If you're doing C++, you could always try Bloodshed Dev-C++, which is free. http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html
I haven't used Bloodshed Dev-C++ for a long time, but I had a good impression of it when I used it.
Eclipse SDK http://eclipse.org is also good, and free. I think it's for developing Java only, but I may be wrong.

If you're not sure what language you want to use, you could consider Perl or Python, which should let you get the job done quickly. Or you could try Scheme (Lisp-like) and try the DrScheme IDE.

I like using gcc for all my compiling needs. It's usually used on Linux and the like, but works on Windows as well

I believe there are quite a few open source programs that will do some calculus already. Eigenmath is an example, but I'm not sure how accurate it is... I tried some things with trig and it came out wrong. Handling matrix equations for my linear algebra class using Eigenmath is a different story. Very handy. http://eigenmath.sf.net
You might want to look into YACAS (a computer algebra system), although I haven't looked into it very closely yet. http://yacas.sf.net (I think)

Is there a reason why you want to program from the ground up, rather than use one of the various commercial or free computer mathematics systems?

Jim

Yes, I am interested in developing my own software. I am very good with basic, but its a bit outdated.

I would like to teach myself C++, JAVA script, VBScript, C#, etc..

-tom

Consider teaching yourself Perl or Python. Perl is used a lot on the web in the form of .cgi scripts, and Python is very similar, although it is designed for rapid prototyping and development. Syntax-wise, they are similar to C++, although a BASIC junkie shouldn't get too lost either.

Perl is very good because it is almost always by default installed on a *nix system. Python is starting to become the same way.

They are also compatible with Windows, provided you have the interpreters.

I use Chinook Developer Studio. Just Google it. Free version also.

If you are very good with basic, then what about Visual Basic?

I found a book at Half-Price books that included a slightly restricted version of Visual Basic, all for under $20.

I've heard very good things about RealBasic, a cheaper (but supposedly better) alternative to Microsoft Visual Basic. Free trial online.

I took a class last year (llth grade) on visual basic and I dont like it at all. It is far to simple and restrictive..
Thanks guys, I will continue on my search for the holy... um... software and will get back to you guys with my decision.

-tom

Google for: Visual Studio Express
Free C++/C#/VB from Microsoft.