I'm trying to learn C and have not decided on a compiler, can anyone recommend a good C Compiler. I am running on Windows 8 but am also planning on running Linux on a partition very soon. Thanks.
<a>http://www.codeblocks.org/</a> is a free IDE (IDEs have everything from compilers to editors) It can compile C, C++ and Fortran. I would say that C++ is more useful than regular C but once you learn one thing from the C family every other C language is made easier, especially C++. <a>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_C-based_programming_languages</a> for a list of C based languages.
GCC? It's the compiler I use, but I'm admittedly somewhat ignorant about "downloading" and what not, but I'm pretty sure it comes with most Linux distros and you can find it for Windows 8 here.
I just use a standard text editor for the coding parts (Notepad ++). No IDE. Really, I think an IDE is a poor crutch when working in C and usually just gets in the way.
I am a bit late to join the party, but GCC and Clang are both highly regarded compilers. Give them a shot.
Sorry I dont use Windows, but I guess you could get both of these compilers by using Cygwin. On linux there is no problem installing either, gcc is usualy installed by default.
Codeblocks - everything you need - available for both Windows and Linux. Is a dream to use and rock solid.
You have a lot of options. I would suggest one of gcc, clang, or perhaps cl (microsofts propriatary c compiler). Are three are freely available. Since you are on windows, I'd strongly suggest either:
MinGW - gcc-based toolchain set up to link directly agasint the windows runtime.
Windows sdk - Includes microsofts full development stack. Yes, the entirety of microsofts build toolchain is freely available and has been for a very long time. You'll also get this with the abomination that is visual studio and whatever the express version of visual studio is, but I'd suggest you avoid that nonsense all together and learn to build stuff on the command line ;P