Does Visual Studio Fully Support Modern C/C Standards, and What Alternatives Exist?

Visual Studio's Support for Modern C/C Standards

In the realm of software development, the C and C programming languages continue to evolve with the introduction of new standards like C99 and C 11, promising an array of beneficial features. However, the question arises: will these advancements find their way into Microsoft's Visual Studio IDE (Integrated Development Environment)?

Microsoft's Stance

Microsoft's official stance on supporting new C/C standards is rather uninspiring. In a blog post, the Visual C compiler team justifies their reluctance to implement C99 by citing a lack of user demand. According to their feedback, users favor focusing on the newer C -0x standard instead.

Furthermore, Microsoft's public responses often blame users for their own slow adoption of modern standards. In a connect.microsoft.com forum thread, Visual C compiler team member Jonathan Caves states that they will only consider implementing popular C-99 features based on user feedback.

Impact on Developers

This lack of support for modern standards creates a significant obstacle for developers who wish to adopt the latest language features. It makes porting modern gcc-based code to MSVC a daunting task.

Intel's Solution

Thankfully, Intel offers an alternative solution with its Intel C compiler. This compiler supports C99 code and even uses similar flags to gcc, simplifying code portability between platforms. The Intel compiler can also be integrated into Visual Studio, allowing developers to leverage their preferred IDE while still accessing modern C/C features.

A Wider Perspective

Beyond the specific issue of Visual Studio support, it's important to consider the implications of Microsoft's lackadaisical approach to language standardization. It suggests a desire to lock users into their ecosystem by making it difficult to switch compilers or IDEs. This goes against the grain of open-source development and code portability, which are essential in today's software landscape.

For developers seeking a more versatile and future-proof development environment, moving to Intel CC or gcc and using an alternative IDE like Eclipse is a more sensible choice. By embracing a wider range of compilers and IDEs, developers can gain access to modern language features and maintain code portability across multiple platforms.

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