Now that I'm FINALLY going back to school I can get student discounts on software (YEAH!!!), and I can buy Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic from my school's book store for $99 (retails for $1079). Hoping someone here's tried it out.
A couple of questions:
Can I compile standard C++ code with it? (ie: not having anything to do with the .NET framework and all)
I've heard that you can only compile for 2K/XP with it. Is that only if you use the .NET framework or is that anything compiled with it?
Is there any restrictions to the Academic version like the old VS 6 Learning Edition? Like where you can't distribute anything compiled with it, etc.?
Also, I can get Metroworks Codewarrior Pro 8 for $119 (retail $600) and Borland C++ Builder Pro 6 for $119 (retail $999). Does anyone have any experience with either of those and would recommend them over VS.NET? Both in terms of compiler and IDE.
Thanks in advance!