Compiler choices

Visual Studio Express logo

You have several choices for compiling the Source SDK:

1. Visual Studio 2005 / Visual C++ Express 2005 — which are the officially supported compilers.
2. Visual Studio 2008 / Visual C++ Express 2008 — which can be used after a bit of work.
3. GCC — which is used to compile Linux Dedicated Servers.

If you own a copy of Visual Studio 2005/2008 you'll probably want to use that, and if you're compiling for Linux you don't have a choice to make. Which leaves only the Visual C++ Express versions to choose between:

VCE2005

Officially supported by Valve

Older technology

VCE2008

Supported by Microsoft

Better Vista compatibility

Nicer user interface

Both are perfectly acceptable choices, providing for free all of the functionality needed to program and compile a mod. If you are unsure, choose 2005.

Additional SDKs

• VCE2005 users need to download the Windows SDK (Windows 2000 users: Platform SDK). Visual Studio and VCE2008 users do not.
• If you want to create new shaders, the DirectX SDK is required.

See also

• Compiling under VS2005
• Compiling under VS2008
• Compiling under Linux