Which compiler to use?

I have a friend that wants to code C++ on a Linux desktop. Which IDE should he download?

an IDE is not a compiler...

try emacs. it looks menacing at the beginning, but when you realize all its features, like auto-comment-block-fill-in, and intelligent indenting (pressing tab moves string to correct indention), it works pretty good. it highlights normally, and it shows what brackets or parentheses you're completing

KDeveloper is supposed to be pretty good. I used to use Emacs but now I use Anjuta.

For a compiler, GCC all the way.