Learning C++ is hard when the IDE doesn't work

I'm trying to learn C++ for no better reason than I'd like to know it, and as such I purchased a textbook on the matter. The textbook has a program it uses to go through exercises and for interactive learning, however the problem with it is that it has a missing component to it. I'm using the Code::Blocks IDE program and when I try to set it up (going by the books verbatim directions) it tells me the GNU GCC compiler installation path is invalid. How do I find/install that program?

(I know this is probably some very basic stuff to more than a few of you, but I'm a complete novice and freely admit that)

Don't know that software, but this might help.

http://forums.codeblocks.org/index.php?topic=17442.0

That worked, but now there's a new issue, it says it "couldn't create the project directory"... I'm going to check the forum again, but this application is temperamental.

Have you tried running as an administrator? Also, did you install the program as an admin?

I had serious issues with iTunes awhile ago, it would crash every time I tried opening the store; I reinstalled it and have been running it as an admin (through compatibility settings 'cause I'm lazy) and it works just fine. Same with Steam, I tried playing Fallout 3 on Win7 and 8 and I have to launch Steam as an admin, but with the right-click prompt.

tldr - Try running/reinstalling as admin for kicks and see if it works.

It's a bit nicer programming C/C++ in linux where you don't need to fumble around with windows c/c++ compilers. Nevertheless, minGW comes with a windows version of the GCC compiler

http://www.mingw.org/wiki/HOWTO_Install_the_MinGW_GCC_Compiler_Suite

derp moment, you want c++'s compiler not c's, in which case a quick google leads here

http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/pages/faculty/alee/g++/g++.html

Even if the book wants you to use codeblocks though there's no shame in just programming in notepad++ or something. Just use the books to get the key ideas down.

Listen to this guy. There are quite a few IDEs that are extremely shitty, and if you're writing basic programs to learn the language and programming in general, using a project manager on top of that is not going to help.

For learning to program, using tools that are made for large scale projects just makes it more complicated than it needs to be to understand what you're suppose to be learning.



On another note, if you're learning to program and this is your first language, you may want to pick up C instead. Learning syntax and how to construct a procedural algorithm is all fine and dandy, but you won't actually be learning anything.

What you want to be learning is how your program functions on the lowest level possible that you can comprehend. Knowing how a program is executed by the hardware in detail and how it relates to how you should construct your program is what makes a programmer; knowing only syntax and how to construct algorithms is what makes Indian code monkeys.