General Compiler/Editor Question

[the_lumin8or]

Hey, this whole time I have been using Unix (pico, g++ compiler) through Putty on my school's server.

Now I was told by someone that it's much easier writing C++ programs in Microsoft Visual Studio than Unix. If so, what are the advantages to using a progam like Visual Studio?

I downloaded Visuals Studio C++ 2005 Express for free off of Microsoft's website, but I have no idea if I should spend time learning the interface if it's not going to make things any easier.

Thanks in advance!

[System_159]

The biggest advantage of VS is(imo) its popularity. Microsoft is the biggest, so they get the most error reports, meaning they have the most information to fix their bugs and implement features that people want.

That being said. I don't like VS. It just isn't very user friendly, and it's to complicated to do something simple. I use Dev C++, and I've not had a problem with it yet. It's also very easy to start a project, and has the simplest interface of any IDE I've seen.

edit: This should be moved to General

[Mario F.]

> Now I was told by someone that it's much easier writing C++ programs in Microsoft Visual Studio than Unix.

BS! Tell that someone, they should perhaps contemplate a career in advertising, instead of programming. In fact, it became much harder to program in C++ for windows than it used to be before. Exactly because one of the biggest players - Microsoft - decided C++ "is unsafe" and their own .Net magic wand will save the world. They are slowly removing their presence.

Sure you can program in C++ for Windows with Visual C++ 2005. But is it easier than any other programming environment you have been using? No.

And what is this thing of "being easier?". Exactly what it means? And do you pursue developing for windows just because "it is easier?". Well... it's not easier. It's the same.

[the_lumin8or]

Haha, I'm not programming C++ for Windows, this is only my second programming class at school and I'm just trying to see if there's anything out there that would be better than using crappy pico through putty.

Something that I could use in windows to compile my basic programs on my laptop without having to connect online to the school server to compile everytime.

[laserlight]

MS Visual Studio C++ 2005 Express should be fine for what you want to do. Dev-C++ 4.9.9.2 is also okay. Yet another thing you can do is download the MinGW port of g++ and then use a text editor such as Notepad++.

[Mario F.]

> Something that I could use in windows to compile my basic programs on my laptop without having to connect online to the school server to compile everytime.

It surprises me your school having a windows server.
Other than Dev-C++ suggested by laserlight, you also have Quincy which is even lighter. If your needs are that simple I don't see any use for such an heavy IDE like C++ 2005 Express.

[rainmanddw]

Codeblocks is a pretty good ide.

http://www.codeblocks.org/

[Wraithan]

I second the Code::Blocks suggestion. As a long time Dev-C++ user, I enjoy C::B emensly