In case you've been under a rock lately (like me) there's an important new download for those free-file buffs out there.
Here's some highlights:
- Microsoft C/C++ Optimizing Compiler and Linker. These are the same compiler and linker that ship with Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional!
- C Runtime Library and the C++ Standard Library, including the Standard Template Library. These are the same static-link libraries included with Visual Studio.
- Microsoft .NET Framework Common Language Runtime. Visual C++ can optionally build applications that target the Common Language Runtime (CLR).
- Sample code. The toolkit includes four samples designed to showcase the powerful new features of the 2003 version, including new optimization capabilities, features to improve code-security and robustness, enhanced ISO C++ standards support, and the ability to use the .NET Framework library and target the CLR.
I'm assuming it's just the compiler and no IDE at all. This is perfectly fine though because you don't really need the IDE anyways. Now you can compile C++ programs natively in Windows, free. Plus you get all the added bonus of optimizations and the .NET tie-in.
The link to download it is here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003/
There's also some articles and samples included. The samples alone are probably worth the download.