Use Microsoft SDK and Visual C++ Redistributable Windows 8

[davidwalucy]

Greetings,

I am a novice hoping to use all the features of windows 8 that come free with windows 8 in Code::Blocks.  How do I do it? I have the SDK installed, as well as various versions of Microsoft visual C++ Redistributable.  Is this what I use? How do I get Code::Blocks to use it?

Thank You,
David

[MortenMacFly]

1.) Start a project of the type you desire.
2.) Configure the compiler to use the SDK correctly (i.e. include path's, libs...).
3.) Start developing.

[davidwalucy]

Thanks for your reply.  If anyone can help with the details of step (2) I would be grateful!
Thanks!
David

[MortenMacFly]

Thanks for your reply.  If anyone can help with the details of step (2) I would be grateful!

Thats impossible to do because you state nearly NO information.

Your question is like "I have a garage and I want to build a car. What can I do?"

What car, what tools, what features, what...

Please ask concrete question, where are you stuck etc. with respect to Code::Blocks as you agreed to when registering here. Keep in mind that his is not a general programming forum! For question in that direction, try e.g.:
http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/
http://forums.codeguru.com/forum.php
...and/or many others.

[cacb]

Thanks for your reply.  If anyone can help with the details of step (2) I would be grateful!
Thanks!
David

The way I understand your question is illustrated from my experience with C::B under Windows 7 and MSVC 2010. I am guessing this can be adapted to Win8 and the compiler you are using.

First of all, C::B appears to be detecting the MSVC compiler without effort, and I simply set it as default (Actually, I clone the detected compiler settings into what i call "msvc", because then my project file supports more than one MSVC compiler, on different machines)

If you go to Settings -> Compiler -> Search directories, I have

compiler:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Include
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\VC\include

Linker:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Lib
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\VC\lib

Resource compiler: same as compiler above

Then, under Toolchain executables, Additional paths
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.0A\Bin

Toolchain executables, Program files
C compiler: cl.exe
C++ compiler: cl.exe
Linker for dynamic libs: link.exe
Linker for static Link: link exe
Debugger: GDB/CDB   (I am not using this)
Resource compiler: rc.exe
Make program nmake.exe

All of these settings are automatic in my environment, YMMV. Perhaps you can adapt manually.

I have done this for both Pro version of MSVC2010 and also Express version (on another machine) and it works fine in both cases.

I have not tried later versions of MSVC or Win8.

[RoestVrijStaal]

Unfortunately Microsoft doesn't ship its compilers within its SDKs anymore:

Command-line build environment

The Windows SDK no longer ships with a complete command-line build environment. The Windows SDK now requires a compiler and build environment to be installed separately. By removing the command-line build environment, the Windows SDK no longer ships the following components: Windows SDK Platform Toolset, Visual C++ Compilers and C Runtime (CRT), and Windows SDK Configuration Tool.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/hh852363.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/bg162891.aspx

Conclusion:
You're fated to use MinGW with MSYS when Win7 SDK (which ships compilers of VS2010) becomes EOL. Which will likely be pretty much soon. Or use VS2012/VS2013 instead.

[davidwalucy]

Thanks RoestVrijStaal  and cacb. Your answers give the help to the Win 7 and Win 8 users alike (but as RoestVrijStaal points out, We Win 8 users are less lucky!...)

[cacb]

Conclusion:
You're fated to use MinGW with MSYS when Win7 SDK (which ships compilers of VS2010) becomes EOL. Which will likely be pretty much soon. Or use VS2012/VS2013 instead.

It seems to me installing the express versions (i.e. free) of VS is acceptable
VS2012 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34673
VS2013 "Desktop" http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/visual-studio-express-vs.aspx

If it is like VS2010, this is all you need in addition to C::B. I have not installed the SDK since a long time ago (VS2005 ?). This is certainly true for VS2010 express/Win7.