Looking for a software program to run and test C++ simple programs

I am glad you posted since you have already taken what I am so you know what I am talking about. These online classes are OK but you mainly teach yourself most of the time. I mean they provide you with the material most of the time but it is up to you to figure it out because there is only so much understanding you can get from e-mails back and forth that can take a day or two to even get a response. Most of their video material is only outlined. If you want to learn something then you have to read the books and start the homework. Then you will more than likely have to research a lot and do your own problem solving. I haven't downloaded your recommendation yet, I downloaded the Microsoft visual C++ but I will try the Turbo C++ also. I am going to ask you a dumb question but I don't have anyone else to ask so I hope you can answer me. Let's say the instructor asks me to write a simple program to calculate average sales for a certain period of time and this result will be dependable upon user input of sales amounts. I basically know how to perform the math, set up the calculations, I know how to ask for and use user input, I know how to assign variables a proper type, etc. What I need to do is take my program once I have written it down and copy and paste it into the work area and let the program debug it or whatever. I have read that these programs are supposed to check your program out without actually running it for real on your computer and that they will show you your errors and will actually give you alternate commands that you can use to do the same thing so if you would rather use another command that you just didn't remember at the time you wrote the program you can change it if you want. Can you tell me how to get started to check my program like that. Keep in mind I am running Windows 7 on my computer but I don't think that should make a difference. If you can help me get started it would be great. Like I said, most of what I learn I have to do it on my own so if I can learn how to use these features it will really help me.

Excellent link page. Thanks

Thank you for your response. I will try to do a little more research, reading, and, learning before I post again. I took basic programming years ago but things are so much different now. I have posted in other forums also but a lot of people that know what I am talking about are not so forth coming. I don't know if they are too busy to fool with me or some act too arrogant to share simple information. I guess I can't blame them but if they don't want to participate then they shouldn't be using a forum. Thanks again. I will check out your suggestions.

Thank you so much for your support. I am finding that their are platforms that you actually code your program within the software and it helps check for errors, etc. This is new to me but not a bad idea especially when learning new languages since a lot of the commands are similar but slightly different and sometimes you can get mixed up. I was really looking for one to enter my program and let the software double check my work. I am not looking to cheat I am wanting to learn. This is my passion. As you said the basic elements are still the same, after all the computer basically works the same we just upgrade it. Thanks so much for the input and I am studying the new techniques for programming and I don't treat my programs as a novelty. I take them seriously because they are my building blocks for the future. I am afraid I got hooked up with the wrong college (one for profit that gives students easy classes so they can keep getting tuition money) I am now in the process of transferring to my local community college I am scheduled for my placement tests and then the financial adviser is going to help me with grant and scholarship money. The other school would not do that and only wanted to obtain student loans from private sources with high interest rates and was rude when I asked about financial assistance. I attended my local college years ago and they stress education not profit but I had an eye injury that took me out of classes and I had to go to work after so I never re-pursued my degree but I want to now if I can get out from under this school. I know I need certain elective classes for a degree but they have me taking English composition I and now II as well as introduction to literature and secrets to success. The only computer classes I have taken are 2 and they are both prelude to programming and web design theory. It is an insult. I already know these things and I think they pad the classes so even the most ignorant students pass without much teaching or attention. That is sad because I come from a whole family of teachers who care.

So bad to hear that. If other programmers are using a forum, why don't they answer questions? Even more, beginner questions are far easier than some advanced others, so why are they there after all? Don't worry too much about being outdated. The basics remain the same. The "hello world" example, the IF syntax, a loop, arrays, flow control and so on are exactly the same as they were many years ago. The real problem is learning a completely new environment and a new IDE or language. If you're learning C, start with the simple printf, gets for "user interface" to a console and practice the basic data handling of variables, arrays, control structures like if, while, for and switch to build up your program. Then after you've mastered those basic elements, you can go on to, say, windows programming or web or some other more specific environment. One thing that really helped me a lot is just practice and practice a log. But not simply building "hello world" style programs (that's good for the beginning only). Think on a small, real life utility program that may help you or others and try and make it! That way you get in touch with a real life environment and users, yet still easy enough to practice and learn.