I am an automation programmer… I do all of the programming for the automated manufacturing equipment, operator interfaces, and data collection systems for a pharmaceutical manufacturer. I’ve decided to learn some C++ in my spare time to try to open up some career path options.
I’ve been using Visual C++ 2010 as a development environment (Empty Console Application). The more I read, books and sources discuss various different compilers, and the strategies/advantages/disadvantages of each… am I robbing myself of some critical piece of the puzzle by using Visual C++ 2010? Would it be more beneficial to move to a different compiler while I’m still learning the ins and outs?
Most of the books and references don’t make a compiler recommendation; they simply talk about “the compiler you are using.” I’m not certain what criteria I should be using to select one. Is Visual Studio truly so much of a “crutch” that I should be wary of it?