I currently maintain a legacy C+ app that runs on x86/x86_64/armhf linux, all 4 android archs and x86/x86_64 windows.

The linux compilation phase takes 1m, whereas on windows (using MinGW) it takes 10m. It’s not the end of the world, but would the MS compiler be faster? Better?

  • coltorl@programming.dev
    1·
    1 year ago

    If you’re supporting windows anyway you should use their tooling. This isn’t controversial, MSVC is a good compiler supported by good developers. I find MSVC more reliable than MinGW on windows as well. I recommend maintaining a single CMake project so that you can switch between compilers and build tools.

  • aard@kyu.de
    0·
    1 year ago

    From the perspective of the CI guy: Just cross compile from Linux.

    You can get the Windows compilers for free - just CLI build tools are enough for your case. The setup can be a bit messy, though. Also, if it’s a GCC only codebase so far there’s a decent chance it has constructs which will not compile on MSVC. It will not necessarily be faster, though.

    • 0x0@programming.devOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      if it’s a GCC only codebase so far there’s a decent chance it has constructs which will not compile on MSVC

      Yeah in recent experiments i thing i’ve hit that wall… next experiment: mingw on linux.