Okay, because of Blender being in C, I’ve resolved to use C. However, what complier should I use?
gcc, i presume
Hmmm…which complier? What are you trying to comply with? : )
Are you asking about computer LANGUAGE, or the compiler to use for a given language? The fact that Blender is written in C would not stop me from focusing on C++ - most ANSII C programs will compile with a C++ compiler. Further, if Blender is going to be rewritten (or even portions of it), I’d HOPE they’d be moving in the direction of an object-oriented language anyway.
What hardware platform? SGI/IRIX, Mac/Mac OS X, Sun/Solaris, PC/Linux, PC/Windows, Spar/linux, Mac/Linux?
Windows 98. ****, it sucks.
All I’m planning to do is put stuff into the sources.
In my opinion Win98 isn’t greatest to work with. As far as putting stuff in sources? Not sure what yah mean. You program? When dealing with windows your free compilers are limited. If you are serious think about moving platforms for more cost effective or unless you are using cygwig (something like that) basically its gcc. Gcc is more native on linux or UNIX boxes.
What is your layout?
cygwin gcc is quite nice
Since you are just starting to learn C, I wouldn’t worry about trying to add things into the Blender source anytime soon. It would probably be more discouraging than anything because of the complexity involved. Heck, even experienced programmers will have a time piecing all the pieces together here in the beginning. As for a compiler, why not just get a book on C that has a compiler that comes with it. That way it will match all the examples in the book and will explain how to use it.
I believe at NaN they used cygwin for compilation on windows
What I want is to change source. Small things at first (change the ERROR thing for fun 
Ton predicted some guys would change stuff for fun initially, so I’d fulfill the prediction), then try some more stuff as I learn it (hmmmm… don’t know what I’d try).
You could try lcc-win too. Free, and comes with an IDE which could be nice to have around.
If you got it try to get a linux box or dual boot, That way you get a load of developement tools to work with. Or latch on to a shell account and practice gcc work. Pretty sure gcc will be used mostly.
For the IRIX heads, will the Mips compilers be used or GCC? For Sun will Sun compilers be used or GCC?
Visual C++! It’s THE BEST.
MipsPro