MinGW

What is MinGW?

MinGW, the "Minimalistic GNU for Windows," is a comprehensive open-source programming toolkit that enables the development of native Microsoft Windows (x86) applications without relying on any third-party C-runtime DLLs. This powerful set of tools, including the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and GNU Binutils, provides developers with the necessary utilities to create Windows-specific software that can seamlessly integrate with the Microsoft C runtime and language-specific runtimes. Unlike Cygwin, which aims to provide a POSIX runtime environment for POSIX application deployment on Windows, MinGW remains focused on delivering a minimalist solution tailored specifically for the creation of native Windows applications

Highlights

• Native Windows (x86) application development without dependency on 3rd-party C-runtime DLLs
• Includes the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and GNU Binutils for a comprehensive programming toolset
• Provides access to the functionality of the Microsoft C runtime and language-specific runtimes
• Minimalist approach, in contrast to Cygwin's POSIX runtime environment for Windows