Damn Small Linux - Not!

braveerudite · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

I'm sorry for been such a noob. I am a computer science student and I started this semester a class name "Object Oriented Programing" I was told that many Linux Distros usually come with a tool to write C++

I don't know yet what is a compiler or an object in programming terms. I will learn these things eventually in this class and with some help from the internet but right now I don't have the tools to write these programs. Programing is the only thing about computers that I still don't understand... but I defend my self good with everything else. All I know about Linux is how to install it and configure some stuff. I was going to try Knoppix but they don't update that distro as much. I want to learn how to use this so I can take it to class with me. I need the name of the C++ writing application so I can find it in the DSL-N menus. Please direct me to the C++ tool and not the plain C.

Thank you for your time

PS Any good links for C++ noob learning would be very welcome.

Winter Knight · Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 65

Yes, and no. Mostly yes.

DSL and DSL N do not come with a compiler. However, there is one in the mydsl repository (a bunch of add-on modules for dsl and dsl-n).

Just so you know, DSL is Damn Small Linux with a 2.4 kernel, and under 50MB, and DSL-N is Damn Small Linux Not, with a 2.6 kernel, and still small, but not as small, currently about 100MB. You're clearly new here, and that isn't always obvious to people.

If you do use DSL N and the add on module (hereby called, "mydsls", make sure you use the stable mydsl in the system section, dated 2004. It is called, [i]gcc1.dsl[/i]. They are all designed for DSL, which has certain libraries that DSL-N doesn't (even tho DSL-n is bigger), and that is the only one that works in DSL-N without adding other modules too. That being said, I would recommend DSL over DSL-N for someone who hasn't used either, unless you have specific need for a 2.6 kernel. DSL-N is still in development, though it is fairly stable. But the mydsls are mostly made for DSL.

Also, keep in mind that DSL is a LiveCD. I recommend LiveCDs for beginners, because you don't have to worry about messing things up. If you mess something up, just reboot, and it's all better. However, using a LiveCD for c++ development means that you have to learn 1) linux 2) LiveCDs, and 3) c++ . In other words, extra things to learn.

VERY IMPORTANT: When compiling c++ programs in DSL (with gcc1.dsl loaded), use g++ at the command line, not gcc. gcc, does not, by default, search the c++ library path, even if you name your source .cpp, and you will get undeclared errors if you use any c++ functions/variables, like cout. g++ and gcc are both included in the same package.

braveerudite · Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

[quote="Winter Knight"]Yes, and no. Mostly yes.

DSL and DSL N do not come with a compiler. However, there is one in the mydsl repository (a bunch of add-on modules for dsl and dsl-n).

Just so you know, DSL is Damn Small Linux with a 2.4 kernel, and under 50MB, and DSL-N is Damn Small Linux Not, with a 2.6 kernel, and still small, but not as small, currently about 100MB. You're clearly new here, and that isn't always obvious to people.

If you do use DSL N and the add on module (hereby called, "mydsls", make sure you use the stable mydsl in the system section, dated 2004. It is called, [i]gcc1.dsl[/i]. They are all designed for DSL, which has certain libraries that DSL-N doesn't (even tho DSL-n is bigger), and that is the only one that works in DSL-N without adding other modules too. That being said, I would recommend DSL over DSL-N for someone who hasn't used either, unless you have specific need for a 2.6 kernel. DSL-N is still in development, though it is fairly stable. But the mydsls are mostly made for DSL.

Also, keep in mind that DSL is a LiveCD. I recommend LiveCDs for beginners, because you don't have to worry about messing things up. If you mess something up, just reboot, and it's all better. However, using a LiveCD for c++ development means that you have to learn 1) linux 2) LiveCDs, and 3) c++ . In other words, extra things to learn.

VERY IMPORTANT: When compiling c++ programs in DSL (with gcc1.dsl loaded), use g++ at the command line, not gcc. gcc, does not, by default, search the c++ library path, even if you name your source .cpp, and you will get undeclared errors if you use any c++ functions/variables, like cout. g++ and gcc are both included in the same package.[/quote]

Thx so much ...you clear some things out Smile