In This Appendix
Checking out the system requirements
Using the CD with Windows, Linux, and Mac
What you'll find on the CD
Troubleshooting
Contacting Customer Care
The CD-ROM accompanying C++ For Dummies, 6th Edition contains several features. All readers, no matter what system they're using, will appreciate the source code to the programs that appear in the book.
In addition, 32-bit Windows users will welcome the inclusion of the Code::Blocks development environment coupled with the GNU gcc compiler ready to be installed.
Make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements shown in the following list. If your computer doesn't match up to most of these requirements, you may have problems using the software and files on the CD. For the latest and greatest information, please refer to the ReadMe file located at the root of the CD-ROM:
A PC running Microsoft Windows or Linux with kernel 2.4 or later or a Macintosh running Apple OS X or later
An Internet connection
A CD-ROM drive
If you need more information on the basics, check out these books published by Wiley Publishing, Inc.: PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition, by Dan Gookin; Macs For Dummies, 10th Edition, by Edward C. Baig; iMacs For Dummies, 5th Edition, by Mark L. Chambers; Windows XP For Dummies, 2nd Edition, and Windows Vista For Dummies, both by Andy Rathbone.
To install the items from the CD to your hard drive, follow these steps.
Insert the CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.
The license agreement appears.
Note to Windows users: The interface won't launch if you have autorun disabled. In that case, choose Start
Note for Mac Users: When the CD icon appears on your desktop, double-click the icon to open the CD and double-click the Start icon.
Note for Linux Users: The specifics of mounting and using CDs vary greatly between different versions of Linux. Please see the manual or help information for your specific system if you experience trouble using this CD.
Read through the license agreement and then click the Accept button if you want to use the CD.
The CD interface appears. The interface allows you to browse the contents and install the programs with just a click of a button (or two).
The following sections are arranged by category and provide a summary of the software and other goodies you'll find on the CD. If you need help with installing the items provided on the CD, refer to the installation instructions in the preceding section.
For each program listed, I provide the program platform (Windows or Mac) plus the type of software. The programs fall into one of the following categories:
Shareware programs are fully functional, free, trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support.
Freeware programs are free, copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many computers as you like — for free — but they offer no technical support.
GNU software is governed by its own license, which is included inside the folder of the GNU software. There are no restrictions on distribution of GNU software. See the GNU license at the root of the CD for more details.
Trial, demo, or evaluation versions of software are usually limited either by time or functionality (such as not letting you save a project after you create it).
For all environments. All the examples provided in this book are located in the CPP_Programs directory on the CD and work with Macintosh, Linux, Unix, and Windows and later computers. These files contain the sample code from the book. Each example program is in its own folder. For example, the Conversion program from Chapter1 is in:
CPP_Programs/Chap01/Conversion
For Windows. I have built a set of workspace and set of project files for Code::Blocks that allows you to recompile all the programs in the book with a single mouse click. The AllPrograms.workspace file is located in the CPP_Programs folder. (See Chapter 1 for an explanation of Code::Blocks Project files.)
I tried my best to compile programs that work on most computers with the minimum system requirements. Alas, your computer may differ, and some programs may not work properly for some reason.
Remember that most C++ compilers don't support the 2009 C++ standard as of this writing. Some of the programs included in the book may require some slight modification to compile on compilers other than GNU gcc version 4.4 or later. Specifically, not every feature used in the example programs are available in Visual Studio as of this writing. (Advanced features are flagged with the '09 icon in the book.)
Fortunately, the good people at GNU provide a gcc for almost every platform you can think of. You can download a version for your machine at www.gnu.org. A copy of gcc for 32-bit Windows is included with Code::Blocks on the enclosed CD-ROM.
Even gcc doesn't enable C++ '09 features by default. Be sure to follow the instructions in Chapter 1 to enable '09 features.
I include Code::Blocks workspace and project files for the included C++ source. This allows you to recompile all the program with literally a single click. However, these project files assume that the programs are installed in the directory C:\CPP_Programs. You'll have to set up your own project files if you decide to install the source code in a different directory.
Other possible problems you might run into are not enough memory (RAM) for the programs you want to use, or having other programs running that are affecting installation or running of a program. If you get an error message such as Not enough memory or Setup cannot continue, try one or more of the following suggestions and then try using the software again:
Turn off any antivirus software running on your computer. Installation programs sometimes mimic virus activity and may make your computer incorrectly believe that it's being infected by a virus.
Close all running programs. The more programs you have running, the less memory is available to other programs. Installation programs typically update files and programs; so if you keep other programs running, installation may not work properly.
Have your local computer store add more RAM to your computer. This is, admittedly, a drastic and somewhat expensive step. However, adding more memory can really help the speed of your computer and allow more programs to run at the same time.
If you have trouble with the CD-ROM, please call Wiley Product Technical Support at 800-762-2974. Outside the United States, call 317-572-3993. You can also contact Wiley Product Technical Support at http://support.wiley.com. Wiley Publishing will provide technical support only for installation and other general quality control items. For technical support on the applications themselves, consult the program's vendor or author at www.stephendavis.com.
To place additional orders or to request information about other Wiley products, please call 877-762-2974.