User: nelbert

Yes, you CAN compile GPL with this Compiler

On: Free Optimizing C++ Compiler from Microsoft

I'm no lawyer but, several have quoted this section of the EULA and say this compiler can't be used with GPL software. I believe this to be false.

Your license rights to the Redistributables are conditioned upon your not (a) creating derivative works of the Redistributables in any manner that would cause the Redistributables in whole or in part to become subject to any of the terms of an Excluded License; and (b) distributing the Redistributables (or derivative works thereof) in any manner that would cause the Redistributables to become subject to any of the terms of an Excluded License. An "Excluded License" is any license which requires as a condition of use, modification and/or distribution of software subject to the Excluded License, that such software or other software combined and/or distributed with such software (x) be disclosed or distributed in source code form; (y) be licensed for the purpose of making derivative works; or (z) be redistributable at no charge.

However, Section 3 makes it clear this only applies to "redistributables", or

Redistributable Code-General. Microsoft grants you a nonexclusive, royalty-free right to reproduce and distribute the object code form of any portion of the Software listed in REDIST.TXT ("Redistributable Code"). For general redistribution requirements for Redistributable Code, see Section 3.1, below.

This refers to the included microsoft supplied sample code and the actual library files themselves--not what *you* build into an executable. Even if you link with a microsoft library (that falls under this license) you can distribute your exe freely--only the library files themselves are protected from distirbution. Redist.txt (included with the install) further clarifies this point:

There are no redistributable files (i.e., dll's/cab's, etc.) included with the Visual C++ Toolkit 2003. Object library files included with the Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 (e.g. the C Runtime Library static libraries designated with the suffix ".lib") will be automatically linked to your program when they are compiled by the Visual C++ compiler and linker. Inclusion of these static libraries as compiled into your program is acceptable; you may not, however, redistribute the static libraries standalone - on their own.