GDB is one of the most powerful debugging tools for C and C++ programs, but the majority of developers don’t use it as it is difficult to install and configure. However, there is an alternative to GDB which is Cygwin.
Cygwin is an open source cross-platform development environment which supports various Linux commands. It is not only easy to use but also easy to install. Moreover, Cygwin is compatible with Windows and Unix commands. It can also run the Unix applications and libraries as well as Windows applications and libraries.
Features of Cygwin:
Cygwin is not just an alternative to GDB, it has its own advantages which will make your life easier. Here is the list of those features:
Easy installation
It is very easy to install Cygwin on your Windows system as it is just a single package which contains all the files. No additional packages are required.
Cygwin is a cross-platform application so it runs the same program on Windows as well as Linux or Unix.
Compatible with Windows and Unix commands
Cygwin is compatible with Windows as well as Unix commands. If you want to run the C/C++ application on Unix then it can be done easily.
Support for debugging
Cygwin is a complete debugger for C/C++ programs. You can debug your C/C++ program without any difficulty.
GDB is not always available for debugging your program, but Cygwin is always there. GDB is not free to download, but Cygwin is completely free to use.
Conclusion:
If you are a C/C++ developer and you are searching for a better alternative to GDB then Cygwin is the right choice. It will save you a lot of time and effort as it is not only easy to install but also very useful.
