title: Most Common C / C++ Compiler for NetBeans and Windows
body: <p>What is the most commonly used (simplest) C / C++ compiler used on Windows when using the NetBeans IDE (6.7)? </p>
  
  <p>I want to write (mostly) simple C programs. I have Cygwin installed but for some reason NetBeans doesn't like it. I'm getting a error from it and before I try to figure this out, I thought I should find and (if needed) configure a more popular one. </p>
  
  <blockquote>
  <pre><code>makeinfo: --fill-column arg must be numeric, not
  </code></pre>
    
    <p><code>nbproject/Makefile-Debug.mk'.
        Try</code>makeinfo --help' for more information.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I believe I'm getting this error because I don't have <code>make</code> installed.</p>
  
  <p>I've also found this <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/397377/c-c-compiler-for-windows">stackoverflow post</a> (<a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/397377/c-c-compiler-for-windows">C/C++ Compiler for windows</a>) but and that suggests to use <a href="http://www.mingw.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MinGW compiler tools</a>.</p>
  
  <p>What is the difference between MinGW and Cygwin? Which is better or preferred? and are there any other options? </p>