Dummy guide for compiling source?

[Legend]

Hey guys. I hope this is the correct thread.

I have very little experience with programing and compiling. (only QuakeC)

I'd really like to try out the latest version of Larn for instance, but there are no native win32 binaries. Only 64 bit. But I'm having issues even finding the correct compiler and files I need for building it. I tried searching for GCC 7, which I assume is a compiler, but could not actually find a download.

I'd also like to try to see if I could compile nethack 3.6.1 to see some of the newer features like status highlights.

I'm on an older winxp laptop, is that going to be a big hinderence in running the needed compilers? I assume Larn was made using a newer pc, thus why it is only 64 bit.

Anyways, thanks for any help.

[Krice]

I tried searching for GCC 7, which I assume is a compiler, but could not actually find a download.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/mingw-w64/

Mingw is the Windows version of GCC (or rather compiler environment with other tools like make etc.). Even then it's kind of harder to work with it in Windows, because many projects require external libraries which can be difficult to find and compile in Windows.

[Legend]

Thanks Krice.

[elwin]

Be aware that NetHack is particularly complicated to build, though 3.6 has improved things a little.  Don't be surprised if there are a few problems.