Table of contents
Open Source
MinGW is an open-source software project, which makes it freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.
Lightweight
It is a lightweight alternative to full-fledged development environments, providing essential tools without unnecessary overhead.
Windows Compatibility
MinGW offers native Windows support, allowing developers to compile applications that can run directly on Windows without the need for a compatibility layer.
GCC Integration
It includes the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), which is widely considered a strong, stable, and versatile set of compilers for C, C++, and other languages.
Active Community
MinGW is supported by an active community, which can provide help, patches, and additional resources via forums and online discussions.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if MinGW is good.
Check the traffic stats of MinGW on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of MinGW on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of MinGW's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of MinGW on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about MinGW on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
Is osdn's mingw it a new project ? It's surprising how it provides gcc 4.8.2 and gcc 9.2.0. I guess the 4.8.2 is the last one provided by mingw.org, and 9.2.0 is the first of osdn's project? Is it maintained by the same developers? Source: over 4 years ago
MinGW, short for "Minimalist GNU for Windows," has long held a steadfast position in the ecosystem of terminal tools and development environments. It remains a relevant player for developers aiming to port applications from Unix-like systems to Windows. Despite an evolving landscape populated by competitors like MSYS2, Cygwin, PowerShell, and others, MinGW still attracts a loyal user base that appreciates its unique offerings and compatibility with various development tools.
MinGW is lauded for its simplicity and efficiency as a development tool. It provides the functionality of GNU utilities on Windows, with the MSVC runtime included, offering a robust solution for C/C++ development. Users appreciate its support for C99 standards, making it an attractive option for applications requiring modern C language features. Its ability to seamlessly integrate with Windows and move files and libraries across different software platforms is a key advantage, especially for businesses with cross-platform development needs.
The compatibility with Unix-like shell environments further enhances its appeal, facilitating easier transitions for Linux developers making forays into Windows-based development. These features collectively position MinGW as a versatile tool in the developer's toolkit, particularly for those operating in hybrid environments.
However, the project has not been without its criticisms and concerns, particularly concerning its updates and maintenance. Discussions, such as those in forums like "Is Mingw dead?", highlight a perception of stagnation in developments under the original MinGW.org project; the last release of version 4.8.2 dates back several years. This has raised questions about the project's sustainability and its ability to keep pace with newer compilers and development standards.
In this context, OSDN's involvement in producing newer releasesโup to GCC version 9.2.0โhas sparked intrigue among the community. Users question whether these developments signify a revitalization or a divergence under new stewardship. Clarification on these points could impact confidence in its future viability and the choice of ongoing reliance on MinGW versus contemporary alternatives.
Within the competitive landscape, MinGW contends with both traditional and emergent tools. MSYS2 enhances MinGW's capabilities by providing a Pacman-based package manager and a more expansive set of utilities. Cygwin offers a broader POSIX compatibility layer, albeit with increased complexity and overhead. In contrast, tools like PowerShell provide native scripting solutions within Windows, and platforms like Termux extend the Unix terminal experience to Android devices.
Overall, while MinGW retains a solid following and continues to be a pragmatic choice for specific use cases, its future direction remains somewhat ambiguous amidst newer alternatives offering enhanced features and support. For developers committed to the MinGW ecosystem, keeping abreast of updates from both the original and OSDN-associated projects is crucial. Meanwhile, the broader choice among diverse terminal tools ensures that users can select the best fit for their particular needs and future-proof their development environments.
Do you know an article comparing MinGW to other products?
Suggest a link to a post with product alternatives.
Is MinGW good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss MinGW here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.
